Margdarshak - Line Follower Robot Challenge

Welcome to Margdarshak - Line Follower Robot Challenge. Embark on a thrilling journey of innovation at the flagship event presented by Fluxus IIT Indore. Central India's largest Techno-Cultural Fest brings you an opportunity to showcase your skills and creativity in the world of technology. Here's all the crucial information you need:

Theme:

A driverless car is an autonomous vehicle that can drive itself from one point to another without any external assistance. Navigation is accomplished by a system of markers retrofitted on existing roads which provide inputs to the sensors that drive the corresponding actuators on the vehicles. A line-following vehicle is in a way an entry-level autonomous vehicle that can navigate any course while following a line on a contrasting background.

Problem Statement:

Design and fabricate an autonomous vehicle capable of navigating efficiently through guided black lines on a white floor. The vehicle must be able to effectively follow the guiding path. The racers will be tested on speed (Time) and accuracy of path following.

Constructor’s Rules:

• All the students enrolled in high school, undergraduate, or postgraduate programs at any recognized institute (identity card will be checked) are eligible to participate.
• A team can consist of a maximum of 4 members. Each team must declare a name for their machine at the time of competition

Arena:

• The arena will consist of black lines on white Floors. For ease of navigation, the lines will be 3 cm thick. The entire arena will be conveniently situated in a uniformly lit room to minimize ambient light. 
• The teams are however advised to cover their sensors to avoid errors due to ambient light. The arena would consist of smooth curves, U-turns, and sharp corners. The black line to be followed would also be surrounded by a wall at a few strategic places. Walls will be at least 18cm away from the back line. There may be an acute angle of more than 70 degrees and the path will have some break lines, curves, and junctions. 
• A sample arena has been shown above. The real arena would be disclosed at the time of the competition. However, all participating teams would be given enough time before the competition to make specific changes in their programs to suit the requirements of the given track including calibration of the sensor.

Scoring Rule:

• The track comprises multiple checkpoints. teams would be shortlisted based on their earning points (counting all penalties). successful completion of every checkpoint some points are awarded. weightage of points varies according to checkpoints (disclosed at the time of competition).
• If a team doesn’t complete the checkpoint with proper accuracy then points are not awarded for that checkpoint. After failure to pass any checkpoint if the team wants to pass that checkpoint again, they can do so by touching the bot but the penalty of some points (25% of that checkpoints) is imposed and time will not stop.
• For the round, the team reaching to end point within in time limit is awarded 10 points extra. The black line to be followed would be surrounded by vertical walls 10 cm high and 1 cm thick at a few strategic places. The penalty of 3 points would be imposed each time the bot touches the wall.

Game Rules:

There will be two rounds:

• Main Round
  • In the pre round 3 min is given to every team. They have to complete the track as much as they can within time to achieve a maximum score.
• Advanced round
  • During the knockout stage, teams will be attempting to earn the most points in the game.

Conditions & Points to Watch Out

• The robot must be able to fit inside a box with dimensions of 30 cm X 30 Cm X 20 cm and weigh less than 3 kg.
• The machine must be fully autonomous. i.e. no manual control is to be present.
• The power source must be on board. Robots must have sensors onboard to sense the black line marked on the arena.
• The machine must use only mechanical power or mechanical power converted from a source of electrical energy.
• The electric voltage anywhere in the machine should not be more than 12V DC at any point in time.
• During the game the machine is allowed to expand its parts provided it does not damage the arena in any way.
• The machine should not leave spare parts in the arena at any stage. This can lead to a time penalty or may even lead to disqualification.
• The machines you build will be first checked for size and safety. The machine should not cause electric power breakdowns.
• The organizers will provide a standard 220V/50 Hz AC power supply. Any eliminator,  adaptor, etc. required will have to be arranged by the participants themselves. Please do not make any special demands.
• Judges have the right to disqualify any machine whose working mechanism or game strategy is considered hazardous in any way.
• In case any kind of dispute arises, the judge’s decision will be considered final and binding to all and no argument will be entertained.

Disqualification:

• Lego kits are strictly prohibited. The robot must not be made from any ready-made kit, if found so, the team will be disqualified.
• The teams will be asked to get ready 5 minutes before the start of the match. If a team is not ready within the stipulated time, the other team will be declared as the winner.
• Misbehaving teams and participants will be asked to leave the competition area and risk being disqualified from the contest.
• Robots that cause deliberate interference with other robots or damage to the track will be disqualified.
• Humans that cause deliberate interference with robots or damage to the track will be disqualified.
• It is expected that all teams aim to play a fair and clean game.
• Judges have the right to disqualify any team if they feel the team is not playing with fair interests.
• The rules will be enforced at the discretion of the referees, officials, and local law enforcement authorities.

General Guidelines:

• There is no registration fee for any round.
• All entries should be original work. Plagiarism of any kind is not allowed, and the participant will be immediately disqualified if found.
• The presentation round will be held offline at the IIT Indore campus, Simrol, to a panel of esteemed judges and experts in the context of TinkerHub. The details of the final round will be circulated to the shortlisted teams.
• Accommodation will be available during the event for any queries contact:  
  • Saket Thamke: +91 9321526377
  • Prasoon Pandey: +91 8604631501
• All participants are expected to adhere to a code of conduct that promotes professionalism, ethical behavior, and respect for fellow participants.