GROUND RULES for Project 5 - SumoBot project

last modified: 2015-05-06 - added notes about where matches will be
                            held, coliseum-elevation, and which
                            coliseum will be used; also finalized
                            on a 3-minute match time limit
               2015-04-24 - added rules for how robots are
                            placed at the beginning of a match
               2015-04-23 - initial version

*   these ARE subject to change

*   note: matches will be held in BSS 315 on Friday, May 7,
    during CS 444 lab
    *   coliseum will be elevated as seen in class on Thursday,
        May 6 (atop a base of textbooks)

    *   based on polling the teams on Thursday, May 6, 
        we will use the yellow-covered-star coliseum for
        the May 7 matches
  
*   common design constraints:
    *   each robot must be made from the parts from
        only one kit

    *   during each match, each brick must be using
        a rechargeable battery

    *   each robot must be programmed using
        leJOS only

    *   robots must be completely autonomous
        once the match starts --
        any kind of remote control or human
        interaction after that is forbidden
        *   (for example, human actions to calibrate
            the sensors right before the match are
            fine and encouraged)

*   SumoBots will compete on the provided 
    oval white field coliseum, with a black boundary
    *   two of these will be available for
        testing throughout the project
  
    *   "ring" will refer to the oval white part

    *   "coliseum" will refer to the board as a whole

*   match rules thus far
    *   to start a match, two SumoBots are placed in
        that ring, each on one of the little "stars"
        *   they are FACING each other

        *   the FRONT of each robot is placed on a little
            "star", "horizontally" centered and such that there 
            is (hopefully) about 7" between the front of the two 
            competing robots
  
    *   only TWO robots at a time participate in
        a match

    *   if a part of a robot touches the ground
        OUTSIDE of the coliseum, the match is ended

    *   if neither robot has caused the match to end
        in a given time limit [2015-03-06: 3 minutes],
        the match ends in a draw [2015-03-06: yes]

    *   a robot that is flipped over, 
        and/or becomes unable to maneuver,
        ends a match

    *   the GOAL is push or lift your opponent
        so it is out of bounds or cannot maneuver --

        *   that is, this is SUMO wrestling-based!!
            [NOT professional-wrestling-WWE-type-based!]

        HOWEVER...

        *   a robot may not drop parts,
            accidentally or deliberately
            *   if a robot drops a part, that ends the match

        *   NO violent behaviors are allowed
            *   if it looks like the goal is to
                damage the other robot or its
                parts, the match will be considered
                ended

            *   robots may NOT "beat up" on each
                other

        *   (if a robot loses a part during an
            acceptable maneuver...?
            ...that will generally end the
            match, generally in favor of the
            non-part-losing robot.

            for a NON-acceptable maneuver?
            ...it's the opposite!)

        *   it is the JUDGE's discretion what
            is too violent, acceptable, etc.

    *   I will post the possibly-evolving rules prominently
        on the course web site
        (yes, that means I might refine them,
         I do not intend to add nasty twists --
         unless I must...)