01
Sumo Robot
Push your limits and be the last bot standing.
STEELBOTS 2026
The robot arenais open.
4 EVENTS. 1 DAY. 1 CHAMPION.
Build your robot. Enter the arena.
Compete in Sumo • Line Following • Robo Soccer • Robot Showcase
Nov 22, 2026Event day · Chennai
Registration closes 12 Nov 2026 at 11:59 PMRegistration deadline · Limited slots
–d–h–m–s
₹25,000Cash prize · Each category winner
NOV 22
CHENNAI · 2026
CHENNAI · 2026
Four ways to compete
Choose your challenge.
Each entry brings its own ideas, engineering, and competitive spirit. Enter solo or with a team, except Robo Soccer which requires 2–3 participants.
02
Line Following Robot
Precision, control, and speed on the track.
03
Robo Soccer
Teamwork and strategy. Score to win.
04
Robot Showcase
Show off your innovation, creativity, and build.
Official rules · Updated 11 Sep 2026 New update
Build to spec. Compete fair.
Single RC Sumo class for all schools. Line Follower is autonomous. Robo Soccer is RC. Showcase is open. Referee decision is final.
01 Sumo Robot RC · Single class · 2 kg
- RobotMax 2.0 kg with battery (min 500 g) · Fits in 20 × 20 cm at start · Wireless only (BT / Wi-Fi / RF) · Kill switch + remote stop · Max 12 V
- Not allowedMagnets, suction, glue, nets, liquids, fire, projectiles, sharp cutters
- ArenaBlack circle ~130 cm · White 5 cm border · 5 cm high
- MatchBest of 3 · 2 min per round · Push-out or 10-sec pin wins
Expand full Sumo rules
Spec table: Weight 500 g – 2.0 kg (with battery, remote excluded) · Size 20 × 20 cm box (height open, must stay one piece) · Control BT / Wi-Fi / 2.4 GHz RF only · Power max 12 V, LiPo with protection · Must have kill switch + remote stop.
Arena: Black wood circle D ~130 cm, white 5 cm border, H 5 cm. Two start lines 20 cm apart in centre. Operator outside arena.
Procedure: 1) Pass inspection (weigh + box + radio + stop). 2) Place on start lines, step back. 3) Referee calls “Ready – Go!”. 4) Best of 3 rounds, 2 min each. 1-min break between rounds for minor fix (no battery swap).
Win / lose: Win round if opponent touches outside, flips and cannot recover in 10 sec, or stops responding. Still >10 sec without contact = warning. 2 warnings = lose round. Operator touch / interference = lose round.
Inspection checklist: scale ≤2.0 kg · fits 20 cm box · wireless link stable · kill/stop works · no banned parts. 15 min to fix, else disqualify. Referee final.
02 Line Following IR · Autonomous
- RobotIR sensors only (2–6) · 2-wheel or 4-wheel · Max 20 × 20 cm, 1 kg · Start button, no RC
- TrackWhite base · 15–20 mm line in Black / Red / Dark Blue · Curves, U-turn, 90° turns · No crossovers
- Run2 attempts, best time counts · 3 min limit · Touch = +10 sec · 3 touches = run over
Expand full Line rules
Spec table: IR only, 2–6 sensors · 2WD or 4WD allowed · Max 20 × 20 cm, max 1 kg · Autonomous only, no BT/RC · Start button · Max 12 V.
Track: White base, continuous line 15–20 mm switching Black / Red / Dark Blue. Same width throughout. Curves, U-turn, 90° turns. No crossovers. Min 15 cm gap between lines. Colours announced 1 week before + printed at venue. Layout revealed on event day.
Procedure: 1) Inspection. 2) 30 sec trial adjustment. 3) Place at start, timer starts on crossing start. 4) 2 attempts, best valid time counts. 3 min cut-off per attempt.
Penalties: Touch/manual assist = +10 sec, restart from last checkpoint. 3 touches = run over. Full leave/shortcut = attempt invalid. Fastest valid time wins. Tie = extra run.
03 Robo Soccer RC · 4-wheel · 1 vs 1
- Robot4 wheels mandatory, rubber tyres · Max 20 × 20 × 20 cm, 2 kg · Max 12 V · RC only
- Field~3 × 2 m with walls · 50 cm goals · Ball provided
- Match2 halves × 3 min · Most goals wins · No holding >3 sec · No pinning >5 sec
Expand full Soccer rules
Spec table: 4 wheels mandatory, differential drive · Rubber tyres only, no omni/mecanum · Max 20 × 20 × 20 cm, max 2 kg · RC only (BT/Wi-Fi/RF) · Max 12 V · No arms/nets to trap ball, no sharp edges.
Field: ~3 × 2 m flat with walls, 50 cm goals. Tennis/plastic ball provided. 2 teams, 1 robot each on field. Operators outside.
Procedure: Centre kick-off. After goal, conceding team restarts. 2 halves × 3 min, 2 min break. Group + knockout.
Fouls: Holding ball >3 sec, pinning >5 sec, full-speed ramming, flipping/lifting = foul. 2 fouls = penalty goal. Tie: 1 min golden goal, then 30-sec shootout vs empty goal.
04 Robot Showcase Best innovative robot
- TracksPick 1: AI Assistant · IoT · Health & Care · Green / Safety / Farm
- Format5 min demo + 3 min Q&A · Poster / video backup required
- Judging100 pts: Innovation 30 · Build 30 · Presentation 20 · Real-world use 20
Expand full Showcase rules
Tracks: 1) AI Assistant (voice/vision/chatbot, study helper) · 2) IoT (ESP32 + sensors + app, smart classroom/home, water/power saver) · 3) Health & Care (elderly/disability helper, hygiene, medicine reminder) · 4) Green/Safety/Farm (agri, waste, environment, fire/flood alert, road safety).
Robot: No weight/size limit (must be safe, fit through door). Manual / auto / app / AI allowed. Student-built only.
Procedure: Pick 1 track at registration. 5 min live demo + 3 min judges Q&A. Poster/laptop video backup required.
Awards: Best in each track + Overall Showcase Champion (highest total).
General + inspection
Grades 6–12. Student-built only, no toy bots. Inspection before match: weigh + size box + radio + stop test. 15 min to fix, else disqualify. No jamming, no arena damage.
Where and when?
22 November 2026
Evolve Robot Lab, 3rd Floor, W Karikalan St, TNGO Colony, Adambakkam, Chennai - 600088.
Registrations close 12 November 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. Event timings will be shared soon.
Cash prizes · Trophies · Certificates
TOTAL CASH PRIZE POOL
₹1,00,000
Each first-place category winner receives ₹25,000 cash, a trophy, and a certificate.
Second place receives a trophy and certificate. Every participant receives a participation certificate.
₹25,000Sumo Robot · First prize
₹25,000Line Following · First prize
₹25,000Robo Soccer · First prize
₹25,000Robot Showcase · First prize
Your route to the arena
Three moves. One unforgettable day.
Choose your event
Pick the challenge that matches your robot and strengths.
Register your entry
Share your school, coordinator, and participant details.
Enter the arena
Bring your build, compete with confidence, and chase the podium.
Everything you need to know
One entry. One challenge. Big possibilities.
Who can join?
School students from Grades 6–12. Sumo Robot, Line Following Robot, and Robot Showcase accept 1–3 participants; Robo Soccer requires a team of 2–3 participants. A parent, teacher, or authorized coordinator must register.
Where and when?
22 November 2026
Evolve Robot Lab, 3rd Floor, W Karikalan St, TNGO Colony, Adambakkam, Chennai - 600088.
Registrations close 12 November 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. Event timings will be shared soon.
How much?
₹1,000 solo · ₹2,000 per team of 2–3 students.
Register first, pay by UPI, and send the payment proof with your reference to confirm the slot.
Important postponement update
SteelBots has been rescheduled to 22 November 2026.
We moved the competition to give schools and student teams additional time to complete, test, and improve their robots.
Existing registrations remain valid, and registration is open until 12 November 2026 at 11:59 PM IST. Paid participants who cannot attend the new date may submit a refund request.
Register nowSave your spot
Ready for SteelBots?
Event: 22 Nov 2026 · Registration closes 12 Nov 2026 at 11:59 PMOnly a few days left — submit now to lock your slot.
Complete the form and our team will contact your coordinator with the next steps.
₹1,000 total for 1 participant
₹1,000 solo entry · ₹2,000 total per team of 2–3 students
₹1,000 solo entry · ₹2,000 total per team of 2–3 students
Your registration is saved after submission. Payment instructions and timings will follow. Please read the official rules before you build.
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