Frequently Asked Questions¶
General¶
Q: Who can participate in the competition?
A: The competition is open to students from universities and technical institutes, and young professionals from all over the world.
Q: Can I participate as an individual, or do I need to be part of a team?
A: You can only participate as a team. Each team must have at least 2 members and a maximum of 6 members.
Q: Do I need to have prior experience in robotics or programming to participate?
A: While experience with ROS might not be essential to get started, programming experience is necessary. You will need to be familiar with Python programming languages.
Q: How much is the registration fee and what does it cover?
A: There is no fee to participate in the Simulation Phase but there is a fee for the top teams that compete in Senegal. The $250 USD is a one-time payment per team that covers lodging, daily meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), airport transportation and travel between the dormitory and competition arena.
Q: What additional costs should teams cover? A: Teams must pay for their own passport and visa fees, travel to Senegal, and any optional items like custom team t-shirts or a national flag.
Q: When is the payment due, and what happens if we miss the deadline? A: The fee is due by June 9, 2025. Teams that do not pay by the deadline will their final spot in the competition.
Simulation Phase¶
Q: What software do I need for the simulation phase?
A: You will need to install ROS and Gazebo simulation environment.
Q: Do I need to build a physical robot for the simulation phase?
A: No, you do not need to build a physical robot for the simulation phase. You will be using a virtual robot in a simulated environment.
Q: Do I need to submit my source code for the simulation phase?
A: Yes, you need to submit your source code and a video of your simulation.
Submission¶
Q: What do I need to submit for the competition?
A: For the simulation phase, you need to submit your source code, and a video of your robot in action. For the physical robot phase, you’ll need to submit your source code, and a project report.
Q: What file formats are allowed for submission?
A: You can submit your files in zip, tar, or tar.gz format.
Judging¶
Q: How will my entry be judged?
A: Your entry will be judged based on the task rubrics, the performance of your robot, and the overall presentation and documentation of work done.
Q: Who will be judging the competition?
A: The competition will be judged by a panel of experts in robotics and computer science.
Q: When will the winners be announced?
A: The winners will be announced on the competition’s website and social media channels on the date specified in the Important Dates section.