Overdrive: Robo Race

Overdrive is a high-speed wireless rover racing challenge that tests speed, precision, control, and driving skills. Teams compete to complete a Melbourne F1-style track featuring ramps, rollers, gravel pits, and airborne sections in the shortest possible time. With 3 laps per attempt and 2 attempts per team, racers must balance aggressive driving with precision while avoiding penalties. The fastest valid run conquers the track. "Accelerate. Control. Conquer." Details: Category: Speed Duration: 2 Hours Date: 17th October 2026 Time: 12:00 PM Venue: Guru Tegh Bahadur Institute of Technology Mode: Offline Team Size: 3–5 participants No. of rounds: 2 attempts per team (3 laps per attempt; best valid attempt considered) Eligibility Criteria: Open to all students. Inter-college participants allowed. Pre-requisites: Competition-ready wireless-controlled rover complying with the specifications below: Maximum weight: 2 kg Maximum dimensions: 8 × 8 × 8 inches Maximum voltage: 48V DC Control: Wireless only — Wi-Fi, BLE, RF, LoRa, nRF24L01, or commercial RC systems Operator: Single operator per run Wired control: Not permitted Event Flow: One rover will be allowed on the track at a time. Each team gets 2 attempts, with 3 laps per attempt. Each attempt has a maximum time limit of 5 minutes. Checkpoint detection will be performed using a front-mounted white LED and LDR-based checkpoint system. The Final Time = Race Time + Penalty Time. The team with the lowest valid Final Time will rank highest. Tie-breaker: lower penalty time will be considered first; if still tied, the better time from the team's other attempt will be considered. Failure to complete all 3 laps within the time limit will result in DNF. Rules & Regulations: The rover must comply with the specified 2 kg weight, 8-inch maximum dimensions, and 48V DC maximum voltage limits. Only wireless control is permitted. Wired control of the rover is strictly prohibited. Each rover must have a front-mounted white LED that remains visible to the checkpoint detection system throughout the run. Only one operator is permitted to control the rover during an attempt. Weapons, projectiles, explosives, pyrotechnics, flammable substances, high-pressure systems, or any mechanism designed to damage another rover or person are strictly prohibited. Any form of jamming or intentional signal interference with another team's rover is prohibited. Knocking a boundary or obstacle will incur a +3 second penalty. An off-track excursion will incur a +5 second penalty. A manual reset will incur a +10 second penalty. Missing a checkpoint will result in lap invalidation or a +20 second penalty, as determined by the organisers. Unsafe or reckless driving may result in a warning and, if repeated or severe, disqualification. A rover that fails to complete all 3 laps within the 5-minute limit will be marked DNF.