FTGP

Problem Statement
Build a remote controlled car to traverse a race track in the minimum possible time. The time trial track may be composed of several turns with increasing difficulty levels. The teams with the top best time to lap this track qualify for racing. Final round will be a race.

Rules

1 Vehicle Specifications
i) The vehicle should fit in a box of dimensions 700mm X 600mm X 500mm at every given point of time in the race. The external device used to control the vehicle is not included in the size constraint.

ii) The use of IC Engines for propulsion is essential. Motors should not be used for this purpose. However DC motors and servos can be used for steering mechanisms or any other mechanism apart from propulsion.

iii) Only one IC engine should be used in the vehicle. Use of any other sources such as chemicals, compressed gas, rockets etc for propulsion is not allowed. The maximum allowed capacity of IC engine to be used is 4.5 cc (i.e. Participants can also use 4.2cc, 3.5cc, 2.5cc, or any other IC engine with less power).

iv) The vehicle has to be necessarily controlled by a wireless remote control system throughout the competition. The vehicle must have two remote control of different frequencies or an alternate frequency remote control circuit which can be switched to either frequency before the start of the game. This is done to avoid frequency interference between the two competing vehicles.

v) Remote control systems from toys might be used. Remote control systems available in the market may also be used.

vi) The vehicle parts can be ready made except the chassis and steering mechanism. Any vehicle found to have a readymade chassis or steering mechanism will be immediately disqualified.

vii) Other functional parts like motors and servos, gears, springs, engine, remote control systems, batteries, wheels, braking mechanism are allowed to be used as directly available from the market.

viii) The vehicle must have an onboard power supply to provide electricity to any mechanism requiring electric power.

ix) The electric voltage anywhere in the machine should not be more than 12V at any point of time.

x) Participants are advised to use a proper cooling mechanism to prevent overheating of the engine.

xi) Verify with the organizers if you have the slightest doubt whether a component can be used or not. Judging will be strict regarding the use of readymade components used in the vehicle.

2 Abstract Submission
Participants have to submit an abstract giving the complete description of their vehicles based on the following lines.

i) The steering mechanism and the chassis layout should be explained in detail, along with proper diagrams. Picture(s) showing all the three should be attached.

ii) Photographs of chassis without assembly should also be submitted. If the participants have already proceeded building their chassis, then they can send the photo of their car in the current state. These photographs are required to verify that the components have been built by the participants themselves.

iii) Photograph of the car in the current state must also be sent with the name of the photograph as the date on which it is taken.

iv) Specification of all other components like the engine, remote controllers etc must be specified.

v) The complete abstract along with the photos and the team name (put the team name in the subject too) has to be mailed to shahid@bits-apogee.org latest by 1st March, 2010.

vi) Write the name of team along with the name of team leader and team members with contact numbers and e-mail ids.

vii) A confirmation mail will be sent to the Team leaders.

3 Arena Specification

Click here to download the arena specifications.

4 Competition Rules
i) The minimum width of the track will be 1m.
ii) The track will have check points at regular intervals.
iii) If a machine tumbles, or halts, or goes off the arena at any point on the track, one of the participants is allowed to lift it up and place it at the nearest checkpoint behind that point.
(Rule No (ii) & (iii) are for non-racing rounds. The rules for racing round will be told there and then to the qualifying teams.)

iv) The vehicles have to be fully controlled using only the remote control unless there is a need to touch the vehicle as stated above. There will be a time penalty every time the machine requires to be lifted
v) Any vehicle is not allowed to leave any disintegrated part on the race track amidst of the race. In case this happens, the team will be disqualified.

vi) The teams are also not allowed to damage the opponent's vehicle deliberately. If found guilty, the accused team will be disqualified.

vii) Teams may consist of a maximum of 4 members.
5 General Rules
i) Depending on the number of teams participating and other time constraints, the arena will be given to the participants for practicing. The time slots will be given on the basis of first come first serve basis, but little duration for practising is assured to everyone.

ii) All the teams must have a team name.

iii) Organizers reserve the right to change any of the above rules. The participants will be informed about the same through the highlighted text on APOGEE website.

iv) Participants can address their queries indirectly via e-mail or forum and directly by calling up the organizers.

v) Some online resources for help will be uploaded soon.

vi) Organizers and judges’ decision shall be considered as final and binding on all.

6 Important Dates
i) Last date for Team Registration has been extended to 6th March, 2010.
ii) Last date for submission of detailed abstract is 6th March, 2010.
iii) Apogee duration is from 10th to 14th March, 2010.
Teams which do not adhere to above mentioned dates will not be registered.

Contact:
Nikhil Khandelwal
+919928111339

Mayank L Kumar
+919784312761

Shahid Malik
+91 9983370607
shahid1807@gmail.com