emoticon Creativity Category emoticon

Theme for 2010 : Robots helping secure our water future!

1. Objective
The Creativity Category provides an opportunity for students to give free rein to their creativity; to acquire science and engineering knowledge and apply practical skills.

2. League
Junior / Challenge / Open (university+)

3. Team
No more than 3 persons and 1 robot per team

4. Game Methods
4. Game Method
4-1.  The Creativity Category competition consists of three parts:
  1. Robot concept design contest.
  2. Robot construction contest.
  3. Presentation contest.
    4. The final score of the team in the competition depends on the scores achieved in all the parts. Ties in the score will be resolved by giving preference to the team that demonstrates higher creativity, explanation, completion, and skill.
    5. Game Rules
      5. Game rules
      5-1. Robot concept design contest
      The teams are given 5-hours to develop a concept for a robot related to the assigned design theme and to illustrate it on a poster. The design theme for each of the Leagues is announced at the beginning of the contest. When assessing the poster the contest judges pay attention to the following aspects: theme embodiment, systematic observation of robot functions, design solution quality, clear presentation, and aesthetic appearance. The teams can use the internet but are not allowed to be assisted by other people.

      5-2. Robot construction contest
      The theme of this contest is announced on the IRO website in advance. The teams use the time before the competition to design a robot, describe it on a poster, and prepare its controlling part. At the contest, the teams are assigned to build a robot from scratch and demonstrate its operation to contest judges. They have 5 hours to perform the assignment without assistance from other people. Evaluation of the projects focuses on the following aspects: theme embodiment, design concept, technical implementation, operation quality, and understanding principles of robot operation.

      The teams must observe the following rules:
      • Only the participating team members can enter the designated game area. If persons that are not registered team members are found in the game area the team related with these persons will be disqualified.
      • The robot must be constructed in 5 hours, preassembled robots are not allowed. However a processor module for robot control is allowed.
      • The robot should perform functions described in the poster
      • The use of dangerous and polluting materials and operations is not allowed.
      • Each team must bring its own materials and tools for building the robot. Electric tools are allowed; however, the electric instrument should have self-regulation power.
      • Teams are allowed to bring a computer for programming.


        • 5-3. Presentation contest
        The teams are given 10 minutes each for oral presentation of their projects in English. They present their robot systems, describe design problems and explain their solutions. When evaluating the presentations the judges look at understanding robotics concepts, level of problems, quality and originality of solutions, and their presentation.