Humanoid Triathlon — Official Rules

Short description

This challenge crowns the most capable humanoid robot across three trials:

• Challenge 1 — Stair-climbing: how fast it climbs a staircase.
• Challenge 2 — Obstacle Sprint: how fast it completes an obstacle course.
• Challenge 3 — Weightlifting: the heaviest weight it can lift and carry as required.

1. General aspects

• Open to all robotics enthusiasts.
• Teams of one or more members are allowed.
• Robots must meet the Robot characteristics in Section 2.
• The competition consists of 3 challenges; the highest total points wins.

2. Robot characteristics

• A. Two-legged walking humanoid biped that shifts its center of gravity to balance while walking.
• B. During walking, one foot must lift while the other balances the robot.
• C. The balancing leg’s knee-joint angle must be > 90° while walking; otherwise it is not considered walking.
• D. Feet: any shape provided all are true:
  • Foot = the part contacting the arena surface.
  • Foot max length < 50% of extended leg length (ground contact to hip axis).
  • Foot max length < 200 mm.
• E. When standing/walking, bounding rectangles around left and right feet must not overlap.
• F. Robot must have 2 arms; each arm’s extended length ≤ extended leg length.
• G. Robot must have a head.
• H. Height: 30–80 cm.
• I. Equipped with a start switch or sensor.
• J. Visible competition number (provided by organizers) on the outer casing; reference in Addendum 1.
• K. Arms may be adapted for Weightlifting.

3. Game area

• A. Staircase specs: see Addendum A.
• B. Obstacle Sprint course: see Addendum B.
• C. Weightlifting course, bar and weights: see Addendum C.

4. Course of the competition

Robots compete across three challenges. Highest sum of points (Section 5) wins.

4.1 Challenge 1 — Stair-climbing

4.1.1 Aim

Robots run one-by-one. Reach the top as fast as possible, climbing steps with legs only; no other parts may touch the staircase.

4.1.2 Course time

Measured from start signal until both feet are on the top platform. Max 5 minutes; otherwise highest reached step is recorded.

4.1.3 Timekeeping

Electronic gates or referee stopwatch; recorded time is final.

4.1.4 Autonomous control

After start, robot must remain fully autonomous and be disconnected from any network.

4.1.5 Interruptions

• A. If the robot falls, one second chance; restart from the first step.
• B. If it falls or gets stuck (battery, thermal, script error, etc.), one retry is allowed after up to 10 minutes for fixes; restart from first step. Best attempt counts.
• C. If the team declines the retry or cannot fix in time, the first attempt stands.

4.2 Challenge 2 — Obstacle Sprint

4.2.1 Aim

Robots run individually. Complete the obstacle course in the shortest time.

4.2.2 Challenge course & flow

Important: One person can operate a maximum of 2 robots.

• A. Total window: 90 minutes (adjustable by organizers).
• B. Each robot has 3 attempts in three 30-minute slots (one attempt per slot). Missing a slot forfeits that attempt. Slots may be adjusted.
• C. Per attempt time limit: 3 minutes. One restart allowed, from the start position, if stuck.
• D. If not finished in 3 minutes, attempt is stopped and distance covered is recorded.
• E. Rankings use each robot’s best time.
• F. Judges’ decisions are final; arguing may lead to disqualification for that match.
• G–I. Teams must respect room/waiting-area protocols and schedule. PLEASE DON’T BE LATE — WE WILL NOT WAIT! If called and not present within 5 minutes, the robot is disqualified.

4.2.3 Time & distance keeping

Timing from start signal to finish line. If not finished or stuck, measure distance. Best time or distance is retained.

4.2.4 Autonomous control

After start, robot must remain fully autonomous and offline (no networking).

4.2.5 Interruptions

One restart from the start position if the robot gets stuck.

4.3 Challenge 3 — Weightlifting

4.3.1 Aim

Pick up the bar at the receiving line, carry it below the head to the lift line, lift it over the head, then walk to the finish line with the bar raised.

4.3.2 Course & flow

• A. Only one robot in the arena at a time.
• B. Start behind the starting line.
• C. Before each attempt, the operator declares the intended number of CDs; the referee loads the bar accordingly.
• D. Event duration: 3 hours. Unlimited attempts; referee records each robot’s best lifted weight.
• E. After 3 hours, points are assigned based on best attempt.
• F–H. Start signal → pick up at receiving line → walk to lift line below head → with at least one foot on the lift bar line, raise overhead.
• I. Success: both legs cross the finish line while the bar is supported only by the hands above the head.
• J–M. Conduct, room protocol, and schedule rules as in 4.2; judges’ decisions are final.

4.3.3 Autonomous control

Post-start, the robot must remain fully autonomous and offline.

4.3.4 Interruptions

If a robot fails to start, one restart is allowed. If it still fails, another robot may proceed; the failed robot may re-queue per referee discretion.

5. Scoring

5.1 Stair-climbing

• Reaching the top within the limit: 10 points.
• Otherwise: rank by highest step reached; ties resolved by faster time.
• Minimum score: 1 point.

5.2 Obstacle Sprint

• Fastest completion time: 10 points.
• Others ranked by time/position; same position ties resolved by faster time.
• Minimum score: 1 point.

5.3 Weightlifting

• Points by best successful lift. Heaviest lift: 10 points.
• No successful lift: 1 point.
• Tiebreakers: second, then third heaviest successful lift.

5.4 Winner

Sum points from all three challenges. Highest total wins the competition.

6. Objections

• No objections to jury decisions.
• Regulation issues/complaints must be raised by the team captain with organizers or, if absent, with the jury.

7. Flexibility of rules

Provided fundamentals are preserved, organizers may modify or remove rules if changes are published before the event and applied consistently.

8. Responsibilities

• Teams are responsible for robot safety and any incidents caused by their members or robots.
• The Relativity Robotics Challenge organization and staff are not responsible or liable for incidents/accidents caused by teams or their equipment.

Addendum A

 Staircase

• Length: 40 cm
• Width: 20 cm
• Step height: 3 cm
• Three steps; all steps equal height. Top platform: 40 × 40 cm.

Addendum B

Obstacle Sprint

• Course rectangle: 120 × 250 cm.
• Bordered by two wooden pieces, each 10 cm high.
• Start/stop lines: black, 2 cm wide.
• Two cubic obstacles, each 60 × 60 × 60 cm.

Addendum C

Weightlifting Course & Equipment

Course

• Rectangle: 120 × 250 cm, white, placed directly on the floor.
• Bordered by two wooden pieces, each 10 cm high.
• Black lines: 5 cm wide; spacing: 40 cm.

Pull-up bar & weights

• Metal bar Ø 8 mm with two stops for weights.
• Total bar length: 50–80 cm.
• Weights are typically CDs/DVDs.
• Weights rest on a support to prevent rolling; support height: 10 cm.

Addendum 1 

• Robot Identification Numbers – Unique numbers assigned to each robot.

• Participation Certificates – Diplomas awarded to all participating teams.

• Team Member Badges – Identification badges for all team members.

• Team Room and Competition Area Information – Details regarding assigned team rooms and a map of the competition areas.

• Promotional Materials – Flyers, brochures, and other informational or marketing items

• Group Formation Guidelines – Instructions and criteria for forming teams or groups.

• Maps of Team Rooms and Competition Areas – Detailed layout maps to navigate team rooms and competition zones.