National Engineering Robotics Contest
Categories
What does NERC Offer?
NERC features diverse categories that challenge participants to showcase their creativity, technical expertise, and problem-solving skills. From racing to aerial robotics, each category offers a unique platform to push the boundaries of innovation.
- Modular (Lego & Ready-to-Race)
Lego:
Robots are built using LEGO kits like Mindstorms, emphasizing creativity and engineering skills.
Ready-to-Race:
Robots designed for high-speed races or specific timed challenges on a set track. - Indigenous:
Follow an official theme where robots are designed to perform specific tasks, emphasizing precision, functionality, and creativity. - Aero:
Drone Racing:
A high-speed competition where drones race through a set track, testing their speed, precision, and control.
Aero Exhibition:
A showcase of innovative aerial robots, such as drones or other flying machines, demonstrating unique features, designs, and capabilities. - RoboWars:
Engage in thrilling robotic battles in a combat arena. - SumoWars:
Compete to push opponents out of the ring in sumo-style matches.
What To Choose?
Selecting the right category in NERC depends on your team’s strengths, interests, and resources. Here’s how you can decide:
1. Assess Your Expertise:
- If your team excels in mechanical design and control systems, consider Ready-to-Race or SumoWars.
- If you’re skilled in versatile designs, Modular could be a great choice.
- Strong programming and electronics skills may lead you to Indigenous or Aero, as these categories often require precise functionality and automation.
2. Understand the Requirements:
- Review the official rules and objectives of each category. For instance, Indigenous follows a specific theme with task-oriented challenges, while RoboWars focuses on durability and combat strategies.
3. Consider Your Resources:
- If you have access to drones or aerial components, Aero might be suitable. On the other hand, categories like Modular may need diverse materials and modular designs.
4. Evaluate Time and Budget:
- Categories like Aero and RoboWars can be resource-intensive, while SumoWars or Ready-to-Race may require simpler designs. Match your budget and available time to the category.
5. Align with Your Interests:
- Choose a category that excites your team. Passion can drive creativity and perseverance, giving you an edge in the competition.
6. Eligibility Criteria:
- Ready to Race – School Category: Open to A-Level / Intermediate students or below.
- Ready to Race – University Category: Open to students from engineering universities/institutions and polytechnic institutions.
- LEGO – School Category: Open to A-Level / Intermediate students or below.
- LEGO – University Category: Open to university students.
- Indigenous Robot Category: Open exclusively to university students.
- Aero Category:
* Group 1: Participants studying at A-Level / Intermediate (or equivalent) or below.
* Group 2: University students or professionals. - For Robowars & Sumowars: All are allowed to compete
Ultimately, select a category that not only suits your technical capabilities but also inspires your team to innovate and perform their best!
- Objective: Two robots face off to push each other out of the ring in a true test of strength and strategy.
- Engineering: Combines precision engineering with raw power to dominate the arena.
- Focus: Agility, strength, and smart strategies are essential for success in this mechanical gladiator battle.
- Spectacle: Spectators witness the thrill of robots clashing with incredible force, and the last robot standing is crowned the ultimate champion.
1. Heavyweight Robo Wars
- Combat Style: Intense, high-impact battles between large, powerful robots designed to dominate the arena.
- Design: Engineered for exceptional durability and strength, capable of inflicting massive damage during battles.
- Performance: Showcases raw power and endurance, with dramatic clashes featuring fire, sparks, and destruction.
- Spectacle: A thrilling display of heavy-duty engineering and sheer force, captivating audiences with intense action.
2. Lightweight Robo Wars
- Combat Style: Fast-paced, tactical battles where smaller, agile robots outmaneuver their opponents.
- Design: Crafted for speed, maneuverability, and precision in strategic attacks.
- Performance: Highlights agility, strategy, and clever engineering as robots compete to outsmart one another.
- Spectacle: A dynamic showcase of quick movements and skillful tactics, thrilling spectators with its precision and flair.
- Custom-Built Robots: Robots are constructed entirely from scratch, with teams designing every aspect, including the mechanical structure and controls.
- Objective: Robots autonomously transport, identify, and precisely place preloaded pallets into designated storage rack slots within a structured warehouse arena.
- Focus on Creativity: Participants showcase their technical skills by designing efficient and innovative solutions.
- Sustainability & Impact: Highlights the role of automation in improving agricultural practices, promoting sustainability, and reducing waste.
- Objective: Robots autonomously navigate a predefined warehouse track, passing all checkpoints and reaching the parking area in the shortest possible time.
- Track Features: Includes line-guided paths, junctions, sharp turns, and an inclined ramp, requiring precise detection and controlled navigation.
- Focus: Speed, stability, and accuracy to successfully complete checkpoints and avoid retries or penalties.
- Winning Criteria: The robot that completes all required tasks and parks successfully in the least time wins.
- Experience: Combines real-world automation challenges with high-speed competition, creating an engaging and exciting environment for participants and spectators
1. Build and Fly (Quadcopter Race)
- Objective: Teams design and fly quadcopters to complete an aerial race course by passing through all air gates in minimum time.
- Track Features: An obstacle-based flight circuit with suspended gates of varying shapes and distances, demanding precise control and navigation.
- Focus: High-speed flight with stability, accuracy, and safe maneuvering through every gate without missing checkpoints.
- Winning Criteria: The team completing the required laps in the shortest time is declared the winner.
- Thrill Factor: Fast-paced aerial racing delivers adrenaline-filled action and an electrifying experience for spectators.
2. Exhibition Flying
- Objective: Teams demonstrate creative flight maneuvers and unique aerial platform designs to showcase drone capabilities.
- Focus: Smooth flight, visual appeal, innovation, and controlled aerial performance.
- Judging: Evaluated on creativity, technical innovation, flight control, and audience engagement.
- Highlight: An entertaining and visually impressive display of aerial skills that captivates the crowd
1. Robot Construction – Participants design and build autonomous robots using LEGO Mindstorms EV3 or similar modular kits, integrating motors, sensors, and programming to perform warehouse automation tasks.
2. Task Execution – Robots must navigate a structured arena, cross checkpoints, transport a preloaded pallet, and accurately place it into a designated storage rack, requiring precision and control.
3. Engineering & Problem Solving – Teams optimize mechanical design, sensor usage, and algorithms to ensure reliable navigation, object placement, and efficient task completion.
4. Competitive Challenge – Time-based scoring and point allocation create a high-stakes environment, encouraging speed, accuracy, and strategic decision-making throughout the competition.
