Oregon State Combat Robotics follows the SPARC guidelines for building and competing with combat robots.
The following is OSCR's complete ruleset. Some important things to note are that OSCR hosts 150 gram Fairyweight, 1 pound Antweight, 1 pound Plastic Antweight, 3 pound Beetleweight classes, and does not host Sportsman or Open Air classes. Noted in each section are the particular rules that do not apply to OSCR events.
Visit SPARC here.
§4.1: For ease of reading, only hosted weight classes are listed (1 & 3 pounds).
Note that rules for Plastic Antweight are listed in §16, Weight Class Variants
This event offers the weight classes listed on the event registration page.
Rolling | Shufflers | Non-Traditional | Walker |
1lb / 454g | 1.25 lb | 1.5 lb | 2 lb |
3lb / 1.36kg | 3.75 lb | 4.5 lb | 6 lb |
Any robot that moves, seeks a target, or activates weapons without human control is considered autonomous. If your robot is autonomous you are required to contact this event before registration.
OSCR does not currently host robots powered by internal combustion engines.
Internal Combustion Engines (ICE) and liquid fuels are typically not allowed, however some events/venues do allow them.
Rotational weapons or full body spinning robots are allowed at most events, however:
The following weapons and materials are absolutely forbidden from use:
There are no Special Weapons allowed at OSCR events
§16.1 and §16.2, OSCR does not host Sportsman or Open-Air classes
OSCR does not have a combat area large enough to stand in
In arenas where robot power up is possible with the driver not standing on the combat area preference will be given to that method.
Priority for load in is as follows:
The process for activating a robot is as follows:
Once both robots are activated and in their starting squares the arena access point will be closed and a maximum of 20 seconds will be allowed for a brief weapon/drive system test if the drivers so desire. No weapon testing of any sort will be allowed prior to the arena door being closed. In the event that the arena is equipped with multiple access doors and each robot is loaded through a separate door the door will be opened to allow load in then shut once the operator is out of the arena.
After this, the referee will ask both drivers if they are ready and the fight will begin.
At the end of the fight both robots are to cease movement and if applicable, allow their weapon systems to de-energize. Once the weapon systems have been de-energized the judges may request that one or both robots demonstrate that either their drive or weapon system is still functional
Once this is completed the robot deactivation and load out procedure can begin.
OSCR does not have a combat area large enough to stand in
In arenas where robot power down is possible with the driver not standing on the combat area preference will be given to that method. In the event of an unexpected situation the order in which robots are powered down may be altered by the referee.
Priority for load out is as follows:
The process for deactivating a robot is as follows:
In the event of an emergency (for example: one or more robots on fire) the standard procedure does not apply. The following attempts to address the vast majority of possible situations that are likely to occur:
In the event of an arena breach, damage to the arena that renders it unsafe, or any other event that is otherwise judged a safety risk by event staff the match shall immediately be halted. For sufficiently large or loud arenas there should be a system in place to allow any event official to quickly act to stop the fight either by triggering a notification system or having direct communication with an official that does that won’t be impacted by distance or arena noise.
It is strongly encouraged that there is both an audible (alarm, buzzer, air horn, or similar) and visual (arena lights off, flashing red lights, a deployed curtain, or similar) indication that the fight has been stopped to ensure that competitors are aware of the issue immediately. It is the responsibility of the team to ensure that the driver or another team member is watching and/or listening for these indicators.
If a competitor continues to fight after the referee has called for the fight to be stopped they will be disqualified. Repeated infractions will result in removal from the tournament. It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure that they respond promptly to the call to stop fighting.
Once fighting has ceased the robots will be deactivated. The deactivated robots may be left in place or moved to a safe location in or around the arena until a determination about the status of the fight is made. No work may be done on the bots during this time. The source of the safety issue will then be inspected to determine the appropriate action. Once the issue has been resolved a determination will be made as to whether or not the fight will resume. If possible, the fight will resume from the point where it was paused. If resuming the fight is determined to not be possible due to a safety concern or other issue the fight will be judged up until the point where it was stopped.
The safety of the crowd, competitors, and crew must always be considered when determining if any additional measures need to be taken beyond resolving the immediate safety issue.
OSCR hosts double elimination events
OSCR hosts 150 gram, one pound and three pound robots
Robots weighing between 150g and 6lb will be given a minimum of 20 minutes between matches. Robots weighing greater than 6lb will be given a minimum of 30 minutes between matches.
OSCR hosts 150 gram, one pound and three pound robots and uses a 3 minute match duration.
The standard match duration for 150g-6lb robots is 3 minutes. The standard match duration for robots weighing more than 6lbs is 3 minutes. The standard match duration for a rumble in any weight class is 5 minutes.
(Option) The match duration for 150g-6lb robots is 2minutes.
OSCR uses "The Arena is a Hazard" option. Only entangled bots qualify for Un-sticks.
Matches will be paused to separate robots in the event that they become stuck together in the arena. Robots that become stuck together will be allowed 10 seconds to attempt to separate. If they are not able to do so an un-stick will be called for by the referee. An un-stick can only be called for by the drivers or referee and the referee has the final say on whether or not the un-stick will be granted based upon the events un-stick rules. No modifications or repairs are allowed during an unstick.
Additional Un-stick options:
OSCR uses the (Option)
When a robot has ceased moving in a controlled manner but has not tapped out the referee will begin a 10 second countdown. If the robot is unable to demonstrate controlled translational movement before the countdown ends it will be declared the loser by KO. If during this time the robot is able to show controlled translational movement or if the opposing robot attacks it the countdown will cease. This means that a “dead” robot will not be counted out should the opposing robot continue to attack and the match will not end until the match timer expires or one robot taps out.
A bot with one side of its drivetrain disabled will not be counted out if it can demonstrate controlled translational movement. Controlled translational movement is defined as being able to traverse in a manner such that the net movements of the robot are in a linear direction.
In the case of multi-bots, the countdown will begin when at least 51% of the mass of the multi-bot is unable to move. A visual identifier is required on a multibot segment if that segment alone meets the knock-out threshold.
In the event of a simultaneous knock-out both robots will be placed in their standard orientation on the combat area by the arena marshal/referee and allowed an attempt to demonstrate controlled movement. If both robots are able to function the match will resume. If one robot is able to function that robot will be declared the winner. If neither robot is able to function the match will go to the judges.
(Option) Should the battery of a robot become exposed the match will be halted and the robot with the exposed battery will lose by TKO.
OSCR uses the (Option)
If the arena is equipped with a Death Zone/Pit/Push-out or similar hazard a robot entering this area in a one on one match will result in the end of the match and a loss for the robot that first entered the area. In a rumble any robots entering the area will be eliminated from the rumble and are to cease the operation of weapon systems immediately.
(Option) The death zone may be used as an immobilization zone instead, allowing the robot a chance to attempt to escape while it is being counted out. If the robot is able to escape before being counted out the match will continue as normal.
In the event that both robots enter the death zone simultaneously they will be returned to the combat area and the match will resume. A robot that places its opponent in the death zone must be able to do so without also becoming stuck itself. If it is not able to separate from the other robot this will be treated as simultaneous entry.
Any robot pinning or lifting their opponent may only continue to pin or lift them for 10 seconds at a time. After 10 seconds has elapsed the robot in control must release the opposing robot. If the robot in control is not able to release the opposing robot then the match will be halted and the robots will be separated.
At any time during a match the robot operator may choose to tap out. Once an operator has tapped out combat will cease and the opposing robot will be declared the winner.
OSCR only hosts one pound Antweight classes
0.33 lb | 150g | Fairyweight |
1 lb | 454g | Antweight |
2.2 lb | 1 kg | Kilobot |
3lb | 1.36kg | Beetleweight |
6lb | 2.72kg | Mantisweight |
12lb | 5.44kg | Hobbyweight |
15lb | 6.8kg | Bantamweight |
30lb | 13.61kg | Featherweight |
60lb | 27.22kg | Lightweight |
120lb | 54.43kg | Middleweight |
220lb | 99.79kg | Heavyweight |
242.5lb | 110kg | RobotWars Heavyweight |
250lb | 113.4kg | BattleBots Heavyweight |
OSCR uses the (Option)
A robot may be re-weighed at any time during a tournament at the request of an event official or judge. The time required to verify that the robot is still within the legal weight limit will not be counted against the robots guaranteed time between matches. In the event that the robot in question is less than 5% over the weight limit they will need to be made underweight prior to their next match. If the robot is in excess of 5% above the weight limit they will forfeit their prior match and will need to be made underweight prior to their next match. If repeated infractions occur in during the same event the robot will be disqualified from the event. If a robot has been modified since its last match the team will be responsible for ensuring that any repairs or modifications done stay within the weight limit. In the event that an event official calls for a re-weigh immediately following a match (prior to either robot returning tothe pit area or having any work done to them) both robots will be weighed to confirm that they are within the weight limit. If one of the two robots is overweight it will immediately forfeit the match. If both robots are found to be overweight the original match result will stand and both robots will be required to be brought below the weight limit prior to their next match.
(Optional Camera Rule) If it is approved by the event officials the addition of a small camera and protective shroud may be added to a robot even if such a system would exceed the normal weight limit. Any mount and shroud must be designed to provide protection and support to the camera only. This mount should be designed for easy removal for separate weighing of the bot if applicable.
Unsportsmanlike Conduct includes but is not limited to: Post fight contact, sabotage, distraction of opposing robot operators, blatant early movement, etc.
For the first incident of unintentional unsportsmanlike conduct the person responsible will receive a warning. These warnings will carry over between events and will expire 25 months after the date of the incident. For the second incident of unintentional unsportsmanlike conduct the person responsible will automatically forfeit the match. For any instance of clearly intentional (as ruled by the judges or event officials) unsportsmanlike conduct, the driver of the robot will be disqualified for the remainder of the event. This means that if they are driving robots in the tournament they will need to find driver substitutes or those robots will be unable to continue to compete. In the event that the unsportsmanlike conduct occurs during the finals of a double elimination tournament that is structured such that if the robot in the losers bracket wins the two robots will fight again, the driver initiating the contact will forfeit not only the current match, but the match that potentially would follow.
The Judges will be located close enough to the referee/arena marshal that communication will not be hindered by the noise levels typical to a robot combat event. When a match does not end in the elimination of one of the Combatants as defined by the Match Rules the winner shall be determined by a Judges' Decision. In a Judges' Decision the points awarded to the Combatants by the panel of judges are totaled and the robot with the majority of points is declared the winner.
Judges decisions are final.
OSCR uses the "Damage, Control, and Aggression Criteria"
Two sets of judging criteria are provided to allow individual events to choose which format they would like to use based upon the desired complexity and emphasis of the scoring system. The Damage and Engagement criteria entirely replaces the simplified judging criteria from prior revisions of this document. The “Standard Judging Criteria” has been renamed to the “Damage, Control, and Aggression Criteria” for consistency.
Damage is about what is left at the end of the fight. Judges should note pre-existing damage and ignore it when it comes to rating the level of damage at the end of the match. The exception to this is damage that, if ignored, prevents an entry from reaching the maximum achievable damage grade. Typically this will only apply to drive functionality.
To qualify as “purely ablative” armor an element must be clearly designed to serve the sole purpose of being damaged or destroyed to absorb damage to protect the main structure of the robot.
Significant impairment of the drive is classified as crab walking (appears to be translating via one drive side) or worse. Significant impairment of the weapon is all weapon system elements being rendered non-functional.
For robots that rely on their weapon systems for mobility damage to the weapon system such that it impacts their mobility will be considered damage to both systems. For robots with independently powered weapons wedges, plows, forks, and other similar elements will be considered part of their structure or armor.
For robots without independently powered weapons whichever feature they attack with will be treated as their weapon system. For multibots the damage level should be averaged between all segments that participated in the match. If the average lands between grades the final grade should be rounded down. (Between C and D would become C)
Damage Scoring
Engagement is about which robot takes charge of the flow of the match. Robots that score well in engagement will bring the fight to their opponent.
Engagement Examples
Actions that positively contribute to engagement
Actions that negatively contribute to engagement
Actions that are neutral with respect to engagement
For scoring engagement in fights involving multibots you should look at how the entry as a whole influenced the flow of the match.
A robot being slower should not directly impact its engagement score. Focus on what the robot is doing, not how fast it is doing it.
Engagement Scoring