Official Competition Rules

Last updated: 11 October 2025

These Official Competition Rules (“Rules”) govern participation in the Relativity Robotics Challenge (the “Competition”) hosted on challenge.relativity.ro. The Competition is organised by the Relativity Team – the robotics team of Liceul Teoretic de Informatică „Alexandru Marghiloman” Buzău (the “Organiser”). Hosting and technical infrastructure are provided by EssenByte Solutions (the “Technical Provider”), which is not the owner of the Competition. All participants (“Teams” or “Participants”) must comply with these Rules, the Terms and Conditions, the Technical Safety Declaration, the Liability Waiver, and the category-specific regulations published at Regulations.

Article 1 – Organiser and Scope

1. The Organiser sets the purposes and rules of the Competition. The Technical Provider ensures secure hosting and platform maintenance only.
2. These Rules apply to all stages: registration, qualification, on-site events, awards, and any remote or hybrid phases.
3. Precedence: if there is a conflict, the category-specific rulebooks at Regulations prevail over this general page.

Article 2 – Eligibility

1. Participation is open to individuals or teams of up to N members (as stated on the Site and in the relevant category page at Regulations).
2. Minimum age: 14. Participants under 16 require verified parental/guardian consent. Schools/clubs may impose additional requirements.
3. Organiser staff, their immediate family members, and anyone directly involved in adjudication or rule drafting are ineligible.
4. Teams must register on the Site with accurate details for members, mentors, and affiliations.

Article 3 – Registration and Teams

1. Registration is completed via the UCP before the published deadline. Late or incomplete entries may be rejected.
2. Each Team appoints a captain as the single point of contact.
3. By registering, Teams accept these Rules, the Terms and Conditions, and all policies referenced herein.

Article 4 – Competition Format

1. Phases may include documentation, technical checks, qualification, demonstrations, knockouts, and finals. The format and schedule are published on the Site and/or Regulations.
2. Per-phase tasks, time limits, field specs, and scoring methods are defined in the relevant category rulebook.
3. The Organiser may adjust formats or schedules for safety, technical, or organisational reasons. Changes will be announced on the Site/UCP.

Article 5 – Technical Requirements

1. Robots must meet category specs (dimensions, weight, power limits, materials) and be safe and reliable. Category specs are in Regulations.
2. Forbidden: hazardous materials, exposed live wiring, unguarded sharp edges, unfused high-current circuits, non-isolated mains voltage. Proper fusing and accessible emergency shut-off are mandatory where applicable.
3. Wireless gear must operate within permitted bands and not cause harmful interference.
4. Robots are subject to inspection; non-compliant or unsafe robots may be disqualified or barred until remedied.

Article 6 – Judging and Scoring

1. Judges appointed by the Organiser evaluate entries. Criteria may include functionality, compliance, innovation, documentation, teamwork, and presentation.
2. Scoring rubrics and tie-break rules are published per category at Regulations. Judges’ decisions are final except as per Article 10.

Article 7 – Rights and Obligations of Teams

1. Follow officials’ instructions, health and safety rules, and venue requirements. Behave fairly and respectfully.
2. Teams handle transport, storage, and maintenance of their robots. The Organiser is not liable for loss or damage unless caused by gross negligence.
3. Teams grant the Organiser a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to use project descriptions, images, videos, and presentations for judging, promotion, and educational purposes. Details in the IP section and the Privacy Policy.
4. Participation is voluntary; Participants accept inherent risks related to robotics work. See the Liability Waiver.

Article 8 – Safety and Technical Inspection

1. Mandatory safety briefings and inspections may be conducted. Teams must provide access and documentation on request.
2. The Organiser may require changes or repairs to meet safety or compliance. Failure to comply can result in disqualification.
3. Incidents, malfunctions, or hazards must be reported immediately to officials. PPE is required where indicated.

Article 9 – Prohibited Behaviour and Sanctions

1. Prohibited: tampering with others’ robots, interference, cheating/plagiarism, falsifying data, harassment/discrimination, unsafe conduct, or venue rule breaches.
2. Sanctions: warnings, point deductions, phase disqualification, event expulsion, or referral to authorities for severe cases.
3. Sanctions are decided after hearing involved parties. Evidentiary standards and timelines may be defined per category.

Article 10 – Appeals and Complaints

1. Written appeals must be filed within 24 hours of the contested decision, with grounds and evidence.
2. An appeals panel reviews and communicates an outcome within a reasonable timeframe. Decision is final.
3. Appeals cannot target purely subjective judging absent a procedural error or rule violation.

Article 11 – Intellectual Property

1. Teams retain ownership of designs, software, and inventions. By participating, Teams license the Organiser to reproduce, display, and disseminate submissions for judging, promotion, and education.
2. Teams must have rights to all third-party materials used. Infringing submissions may be removed or disqualified.
3. The Organiser retains all rights to its materials, including rules, documentation, logos, trademarks, and event media.

Article 12 – Force Majeure

1. The Organiser is not responsible for delays, cancellations, or modifications caused by events beyond reasonable control.
2. Where feasible, the Organiser will reschedule or adapt the Competition. No damages are owed for such changes.

Article 13 – Governing Law and Jurisdiction

1. Romanian law governs these Rules. Disputes fall under the competent courts of Buzău, Romania, unless mandatory law states otherwise.

Note: Detailed technical specs, field dimensions, scoring rubrics, safety annexes, and category-specific rulebooks are published at Regulations. Those documents govern where they are more specific.