RoboSports - Robot Marksmanship
RoboSports - Robot Marksmanship
Participants must design and build a specialized robotic launcher engineered to fire Nerf darts with pinpoint accuracy. Teams must master the physics of propulsion and trajectory, creating a stable platform capable of striking targets from a distance. This competition is a high-energy test of mechanical consistency and calibration—where the most reliable build and the steadiest aim take home the gold!
Age Categories
Junior Primary (7 - 9 years old)
High Primary (10 - 12 years old)
Junior Secondary (13 - 15 years old)
High Secondary (16 - 19 years old)
Adult (20+ years old)
Purpose
The goal is to accurately hit a dart-style target with a self-made autonomous gun that shoots self-made projectiles. Teams aim to land their projectiles as close to the center (bullseye) as possible.
The Sport requires precision, mechanics and correct calculations.
Task/Mission
***Attention participants! CIPTRIX can provide rental equipment for Robotics and Drones, however participants will need to bring their own laptops and Internet access.
**For this category, kindly download the following software BEFORE competition day. NO EXTRA TIME will be granted to download the software on the spot.
(Mind+ download): https://mindplus.cc/en/download.html
Team
Participation in the competition is team-based.
Each team may consist of one (1) to two (2) members.
Each team must designate up to one (1) Robot Athlete Technician. Only the Robot Athlete Technician is allowed in the waiting area or competition area. The rest of the team must remain in the competition venue but cannot wait in line.
➤ In other words, they cannot occupy an additional spot. If a team fails to comply with this rule, it will be disqualified.
The team is allowed to change the designated Technician before each attempt on the track, to give all members the opportunity to be actively involved in the sport, although this is not mandatory.
All team members must be at least 7 years old (equivalent to 1st grade of primary school or above).
The team’s coach must be at least 20 years old.
To ensure smooth participation in the competition, the coach must have 1 assistant for every 3 teams they register in the competition.
Each team is allowed to have only one robot. Changing the robot during the competition is not allowed.
Teams are not allowed to share the same robot.
If a team encounters a serious technical issue with their robot, they are allowed to replace only the microcontroller or the electronic components, after obtaining permission from the Head Judges.
Robot & Projectile Requirements
The Competition involves hand-crafted weapon simulation constructions and custom-manufactured projectiles. Materials permitted include cardboard, lightweight plastic, 3D-printed filament, lasercut wood, or educational robotics kits. Metal and ready-made toy guns (including shells) are strictly prohibited.
IMPORTANT: Teams traveling by air must disassemble the device to comply with flight security regulations.
Projectile Specifications (The "Bullet/Arrow")
Participants must design and manufacture their own ammunition. Commercial foam darts (e.g., Nerf™) are prohibited.
Mass: The total mass of a single bullet must be less than 30g.
Safety Tip: Every projectile must have a rounded/blunted tip. Sharp points or spikes are strictly prohibited.
Permitted Structural Materials:
Wood/Fiber: Toothpicks or skewers may be used, provided the sharp points are removed/sanded down.
Metal Components: A nail with a rounded tip or a thick embroidery needle with a round tip may be used as the core/body of the arrow.
Quantity: The gun should shoot one self-made bullet at a time.
Robot Specifications
Autonomy: The Robot must be autonomous.
Dimensions: Maximum footprint of 25cm x 25cm.
Total Mass: Not to exceed 500g (excluding ammunition).
Form Factor: The construction must maintain a clear handheld pistol form:
One (1) grip, one (1) trigger, and one (1) forward-facing barrel/muzzle.
Prohibited: Rifles, shotguns, shoulder stocks, second front-grips, or tube launchers without a distinct grip/trigger guard.
Controls: All buttons/switches must be located near the grip or trigger area, consistent with a pistol layout.
Mechanism & Safety
Trigger: A mechanical or sensor-based trigger is required. Firing must occur after the sensor/button is activated.
Pre-Fire Warning: The Gun must beep for 1 second immediately before firing.
Propulsion: * The use of common rubber bands (any diameter, up to 4mm in width) is permitted.
The use of springs is prohibited.
Propellant gases, chemicals, and hazardous materials are prohibited.
Prohibitions: Lasers (for any purpose) and burning devices are strictly forbidden.
Technical Inspection (Scrutineering)
The initial inspection occurs on the day of the competition during the Robot’s first attempt.
Software Review: Teams must present their laptop with the program open. If the team cannot explain the program logic, a -20% score penalty is applied.
Compliance Check:
Silhouette Check: The silhouette must clearly match the pistol shape (grip–trigger–barrel).
Projectile Safety: Referees will inspect self-made bullets. Any projectile with a point capable of causing injury (including un-sanded toothpicks or sharp needles) will result in immediate disqualification.
Safety Gear: The Robot Technician must wear safety glasses. Failure to wear protective equipment results in disqualification.
Field & Scoring
Dimensions: 3.5m (L) x 1.14m (W).
The Launch Line: A line is marked on the floor exactly 1.0 meter from the firing base.
Scoring per Shot:
Successful Launch (50 Points): The projectile must clear the 1.0m line in the air.
Target Score (40–100 Points): Points are awarded if the projectile sticks to the target.
Outer Ring: 40 Points
Middle Ring: 60 Points
Inner Ring: 80 Points
Bullseye (Center): 100 Points
Target Dimensions
The target will be placed at a maximum distance of 3.5 meters and a maximum height of 2 meters.
Reference Photos
Field Procedures
Competition Procedures
PREPARATION
The Technician takes a position on the track in front of the red square.
The Technician's hand should not extend beyond the red square or wooden base. He can also rest his elbow on the base.
START
Distance Selection: For each attempt, the referee will set the target at a randomly selected distance within the 1.5m – 3.5m range.
The Firing Sequence: * The Technician arms the robot.
Once activated, the gun must beep for 1 second.
The robot fires three (3) consecutive shots at the assigned distance.
Second Distance (Optional/Round 2): After the first 3 shots, the referee may move the target to a different distance within the range for a second set of 3 shots.
Recording: The referee will record the specific distance used for the attempt on the score sheet.
ROUNDS - ATTEMPTS
During the match there will be a time of 2 hours.
During this time each Technician will make repeated attempts on the track based on the order announced by the organizing committee.
If a Technician is not in line, they lose their attempt and the next Technician takes their turn. The Technician who lost the attempt must wait until all other attempts are completed for their turn to come again.
The referee records the points for each attempt.
The guns will pass a technical check by the assistant referee before each attempt.
No restarts allowed.
The team may change the designated Technician before each attempt (optional, to involve more team members).
The highest score achieved by a team across all its attempts counts as the team’s official score and determines the winner (best-attempt scoring).
END OF AN ATTEMPT
An attempt ends after the allocated number of shots (e.g., 6 shots total) or if a safety violation occurs.
If a projectile hits the target but does not stick, the 50 points for the "Successful Launch" are kept, but the "Target Score" is 0.
If the Gun encounters a technical problem.
If the Technician during an attempt proves to be unable to aim in a straight line and this poses a danger to him, the referee or the participants on the playing field.
When the allocated time window for the attempt expires (as defined by the schedule/referee).
Upon any safety violation (e.g., pointing outside the target zone, crossing safety lines), at the referee’s discretion.
Upon unauthorized physical intervention with the Gun/targets/field after the attempt has started (beyond the defined procedure).
If the Gun becomes immobilized and cannot continue the procedure within a reasonable time, as determined by the referee.
If the Gun leaves the designated firing area or crosses a safety boundary.
If any projectile leaves the field of play or enters a spectator/official area (immediate stop for safety).
If the team fails to follow referee instructions or the defined competition procedure.
If the referee issues a stop command for any reason (e.g., safety, venue issues, force majeure).
Team Disqualification
A team is disqualified from the event and must withdraw in the following cases:
➤ The team’s results will not be taken into account and will not appear in the official competition rankings.
If a Gun does not comply with the specifications defined in the sport’s rules and the team refuses to make the required adjustments.
If any of the Technicians behave inappropriately or disrespectfully, use offensive language, provoke, or verbally (or otherwise) attack fellow participants or referees.
If it is discovered that a Gun is not operating autonomously, but instead is being remotely controlled via Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or any similar technology.
What is allowed and what is prohibited:
Allowed
The use of common tires of independent diameter and independent thickness. But be careful you must not build a weapon that aims like a bow!!!. In this case your weapon will not pass the technical inspection.
Not Allowed
The use of accessories that can harm the spectators, referees or even their coaches.
The use of propellants or any other material to increase force.
Breaking the Gun into pieces or expanding it in any way during the match.
Remote control.
The use of pneumatics.
The use of metal springs.
The use of lasers to improve the mark.
Scoring Framework
SCORING SHEET:
Scoring Card | Robot Shooting | Category: Primary/Secondary/Adults | ||||||||||||||||||
Team Name: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Participant 1 Name: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Participant 2 Name: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Shot # | Target Distance | Launch (>1m) | Target Score | Subtotal | ||||||||||||||||
Shot 1 | ___m | 50 points | [ ] 40 [ ] 60 [ ] 80 [ ] 100 | |||||||||||||||||
Shot 2 | (same) | 50 points | [ ] 40 [ ] 60 [ ] 80 [ ] 100 | |||||||||||||||||
Shot 3 | (same) | 50 points | [ ] 40 [ ] 60 [ ] 80 [ ] 100 | |||||||||||||||||
Shot 4 | ___m | 50 points | [ ] 40 [ ] 60 [ ] 80 [ ] 100 | |||||||||||||||||
Shot 5 | (same) | 50 points | [ ] 40 [ ] 60 [ ] 80 [ ] 100 | |||||||||||||||||
Shot 6 | (same) | 50 points | [ ] 40 [ ] 60 [ ] 80 [ ] 100 | |||||||||||||||||
Total Points: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Additional Remarks | ||||||||||||||||||||
I confirm that the points in this sheet are correct. | |||
Participant 1 Signature: | Referee: | ||
Participant 2 Signature: | |||
Remarks | |||
Head of Referees: | |||
Objection
Referee decisions are not subject to teams' objections. In case of disagreements or opposing opinions, the referees have the final say in cooperation with the Headjudges and the Organizing Committee.
In the event that a specific competition category or round is conducted over multiple days or involves multiple attempts, the Organizer reserves the absolute right to determine the most appropriate scoring methodology to identify the winner(s).
Should there be any grievances, participants are directed to: contact@bestemready.com or Whatsapp at 012-391 8681.
Rule Zero
Zero Tolerance & Common Sense
In all CIPTR1X competition, Rule ZERO applies, which states:
➤ "If you are not sure whether something is allowed, then it is probably NOT allowed."
All rules are based on common sense, the spirit of the competition, and the safety of all participants.
Any deliberate misinterpretation, violation of the meaning of the rules, or attempt to exploit gray areas for unfair advantage will not be tolerated and may lead to team disqualification from the competition.