Introduction

If you are interested in sponsoring, which would be highly appreciated, please send us an e-mail and tell us what you can offer us and we will give you the credit that is deserved and we will add your banner from your company (logo) to our website.

2004 Rules

1. The total value of the parts in each robot can not exceed $500. This includes bought AND borrowed parts. If you think you may be questioned on the price of any components, please bring a receipt of proof of cost. Robots suspected of going over this limit may be disqualified.
   SUBMITTED ROBOTS MUST BE CUSTOM MADE. NO FULLY FUNCTIONAL PURCHASED ROBOTS WILL BE ALLOWED. The goal of this contest is to gauge the ingenuity of the contestants.
2. Specialty components may not factor directly into the cost of the robot. These items include microphones, mini-cams, wireless networking (802.11x), etc. Specialty items are considered those components that do not have a direct effect on the actual operation of the robot but simply add additional "cool factor".
3. The entry does NOT have to be TOTALLY independent to participate. This means that you CAN use remote control to operate your robot. But it should be noted in that robots capable of acting independently WILL score higher.
4. There are three award categories for this year's Robot Warez contest:
   • The Uber Award
     The winner in this category will be scored from these categories:
     
     i) Coolest functionality
     ii) Best value for actual cost
     iii) Best looks
     iv) General appeal to the judges
   • Task Master
     The winner in this category will be have the best time for completing the selected task. The task for this year will consist of picking up ping pong balls from one end of an arena and moving them (one at a time) to a bin on the other side of the arena. The best time wins.
   • People's Choice
     The winner of this category is chosen by the votes of the attendees.
5. Arena
   • Arena will be 8'x8' sq space
   • Ping pong ball bins will be 2 boxes (1 TO and 1 FROM), painted black to contrast with the walls and 12 inches square.
   • Boxes will be mounted to the wall corners (height TBD)
   • Transport task will be 5 ping pong balls, standard white
   • There will be no obstacles or beacons in the arena
   • Arena will likely be concrete (outside) and created using cardboard
   • Contestants will not be allowed to place their own beacons this year
   • Starting point will be in the center of the square and contestants will be allowed to face it any direction they like to begin
   • Contestants may bring their own ping pong balls provided they are standard (regulation size/weight)
6. Anyone can enter anything they want as long as the comply with the rest of these rules
7. Entries must not weigh more than 50 lbs each.
8. Entries must be limited to a size that can fit into a 2.5' x 2.5' box, when collapsed. The entry must not exceed 3.5' tall when fully extended.
9. Fuel for each entry is limited to non-combustible items such as battery packs, solar power, etc. NO combustible fuel (such as gasoline or diesel) will be allowed. Choose your power format carefully because those entries deemed to be hazardous to the attendees will be disqualified and removed from the grounds.
10. NO DANGEROUS COMPONENTS!!! This is NOT a robot war where the contestants will attempt to destroy one another. No blades, fire, projectiles, electric pulse, etc. Anything deemed dangerous by the judges will be disqualified and removed immediately
11. The San Diego Defcon Group will be the DCG sponsor for the event. This means they will do the work related to actually running the contest at Defcon. We do all the planning and include them in the details so they can help us once the time comes.
12. Simplicity is the key for the first year

Defcon, or Defcon 858 is a contest that is not in any way shape or form affiliated with Robot Wars, or Nickelodeon. We are not responsible for any damge(s) caused to the robot(s) or from the robot(s) that are built for this contest, this contest is intended for Defcon Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.

2004 Winners: Irvine Underground

Photos from Defcon 12