Mouse Maze Competition

The Mouse Maze Competition is new to the Penn State Robotics Club for Fall 2009. This competition, much like the past Capture The Flag and Sumo-Bot Competition events, is a club hosted event. The public may still compete, or attend, the competition event. It is important to note that only club members are allowed club resources. This competition is designed to replace the Fall 2008 Capture The Flag event. The ultimate goal is to help teams form and design the basics of a robot needed for the Trinity Firefighting Competition.

'''The competition will be December 5, 2009 in 312 Hammond at 2pm. There will be free food, drinks, and prizes. Doors will open at 12pm for you to finish your robot.'''

Competition Overview
The goal of this competition is to have your robot navigate a linear maze (i.e.: There are no multiple paths, but plenty of turns, and rooms) in the shortest time possible. There are two version of the maze, both being equally challenging. Each robot is allowed to run through both of these versions twice, with the best time taken as the team's official time. The robot must complete the full maze and return to the starting position for the run to be considered valid. There is also a bonus point system in which seconds may be removed for completing extra tasks.

The Mouse Maze Competition will take place at the end of Fall Semester and will use the in-house Trinity Firefighting Competition maze but with heavy modifications. These modifications include:
 * The goal of eliminating the source-flame has been removed
 * The maze has been simplified to remove the "floating room"
 * Several of the rooms have been redesigned and replaced with a linear maze
 * A return trip to the starting position is now mandatory for a complete "run"
 * Participants are judged on speed and bonus points
 * All terrain (carpet texture, slanted terrain, stairs) are removed and not apart of the bonus system.

Source(s): Mouse Maze Competition solutions

Competition Rules
Basics:


 * 1) Phases of Competition: There is only the time-trial phase of the competition. In time trial, one team will be competing at a time. The robot will start in its base (starting position) and try to successfully get to the end of the maze (mid position), and return to its base (end position). Each team will be allowed 2 trials per maze configuration, and the fastest recorded time will win. Bonus points may be given (see section below) which removes a certain amount of seconds from the best time. Any robot that does not complete the course within 2 minutes will be removed and have their total time set at 2 minutes.
 * 2) Two Configurations: The maze will have two mid positions (ends of the maze) with only one being accessible at a time. Based on the configuration the robot is being deployed, only one of the two maze end positions (A or B) will be open. The other maze end position will be blocked with a solid wall.
 * 3) Robot Size: While in its starting position, the robot may not be larger than 12" in height, 12" in length, and 12" in width. At any point during the competition, the robot must not exceed 18" by 18" by 18". Failure to adhere will result in disqualification for the round. There is no weight restriction.
 * 4) Robot Starting Position: The robot must always start fully inside its home base, facing any direction. See "Arena" for base size and location.
 * 5) Robot Activation: You may activate your robot at the beginning of the round by touching it, but there will be bonuses available for other methods of activation. After activation, no further contact or interaction between humans and the robot is allowed (physical or wireless).
 * 6) Contact with Arena: The robot may come in contact with any part of the arena during the competition. The arena must not be deliberately permanently damaged in any way. If such damage is determined to be deliberate by the judges, the robot will be disqualified.
 * 7) Detachment: No part of a robot may deliberately detach during any point during the competition.
 * 8) Tether: No tether at any point may be attached to the competing robot.
 * 9) Modification between Rounds: Robots maybe be re-programmed or modified in any way between rounds.
 * 10) Vehicle removal: If it appears your vehicle is no longer functional, or is running into a wall for more than 15 seconds, or has taken more than 2 minutes to complete the maze, it will be removed.  The run will be counted as the maximum two minute time.

Area Detection:
 * The end areas will be designated as follows:
 * 1) The home and end spots will be designated as a white circle on the dark ground.
 * 2) A light will be built into the walls, 6 inches off the ground, just beyond areas A and B.

Map Configuration:
 * The maze has two possible configurations, A and B. See the map above for each layout.
 * In the given maze configuration, the entrance to the other configuration's end position will be closed off.
 * The configuration for the trial will be determined only after the robot has been set on home base.
 * Each robot will attempt each map configuration twice.

Bonus System:
 * Judge activated: If a judge is able to activate your robot with the use of an on-board button, a total of 5 seconds are removed from your total time.
 * Sound activated: If a judge is able to activate your robot with the use of a high-frequency beep, a total of 10 seconds are removed.
 * Contestant activated: If a contestant is able to activate a with a legitimate interface, a total of 3 seconds are removed.
 * Robot Personality: If your vehicle has personality (i.e.: Dressed, has a claw, dances, etc...) a total of 5 seconds are removed.
 * Untouchable: If your vehicle does not touch a single wall during any time-trial, a total of 15 seconds are removed.
 * Minimalism: If your robot uses two or less sensors, a total of 3 seconds are removed.

Special Locomotion:
 * If your vehicle is based on motors, not servos, your robot will move much faster. Therefore, you are more likely to win.
 * If your vehicle walks and you complete the maze, you automatically win.

Special Remarks:
 * Judges reserve the power to disqualify any robot, or team, for any reason.
 * Judges reserve the power to change the bonus point system for any reason.
 * There is no guarantee as to the wall's color, reflectivity, etc.
 * If your robot destroys the maze, or is generally malicious, your robot and team are automatically disqualified from the round with a time of 2 minutes.

Prizes
''All prizes are subject to change. We aren't an evil club, so if something changes, you will still get an item of equal value.''


 * 1st place - 25$ Best Buy gift certificate (for all active team members of the competition event)
 * 2nd place - Free club t-shirt/polo (spring semester)
 * 3rd place and above - Priority ordering for any new materials for the following semester

External References

 * The Abington Firefighting Competition
 * The Official Trinity Firefighting Competition