Rescue
In both rescue disciplines, the robots must navigate an obstacle course and identify and rescue âvictimsâ.
In the Rescue Line category, the course is marked by a black line that leads over several ascending and descending ramps. Obstacles force the robot to leave the course and find its way back. The course leads into a room where several victims (metallic and black balls) must be detected and rescued.
In the Rescue Maze discipline, the course is a maze comprising several rooms. Obstacles on the course present an additional challenge, which the robots must skilfully navigate around. The victims are letters and colours on the walls of the maze. They are distributed throughout the entire maze and must be detected using a camera.
Since 2018, the entry-level leagues Rescue Line Entry and Rescue Maze Entry have been offered in Germany. Students up to the age of 14 can take part in the Rescue Line Entry league, whilst the Rescue Maze Entry league is open to those up to the age of 16. Qualification for the World Championships is not possible in these leagues.
Rescue Leagues Overview
Rules German Open 2026
We are playing according to the 2025 rules for Maze, Line and Simulation. Points are expected to be normalised for the first time in 2026. It is still to be clarified whether factors other than the best scoring runs will be included in the final result (see Rule 5: Competition). Older rules with additions apply to the Entry Leagues.
All additions, changes or amendments are binding! In the event of rule changes, we will provide timely notification and will find a reasonable solution.
FAQs
Last updated: February 2025. Please send any questions about the FAQs or suggestions for new FAQs to support@robocup.de.
EN - General Information Rescue
If the robot malfunctions immediately at the start of the run (fails to start / just spins in circles / only flashes), the team will be given the opportunity to restart, provided the robot is still on the starting tile. A different programme may also be loaded at this point. The clock continues to run.
If the robot has been significantly modified, i.e. it can no longer be recognised as belonging to the team, the organising team must be notified.
As the Line Arenas no longer have any outer boundaries, the robot may be ârescuedâ if it is in danger of falling off the arena. Such interference is treated as a Lack of Progress. The same applies to the risk of falling from raised tiles. If parts fall off the robot, they remain there until the end of the run.
Referees are NOT responsible for the safety of the robots. The robots should be designed so that they do not cause damage to themselves whilst moving around the arena (hitting the barriers / sliding down the ramp / etc.). The captain may call a âLack of Progressâ and then intervene to protect the robot from damage. If the robot is in danger of falling from the arena or raised sections, the co-captain may also intervene to catch the robot. This is also counted as a âLack of Progressâ.
Teams are not permitted to set up light sources around the arenas to create specific lighting conditions. However, robots are permitted to carry a light source. This must always be designed in such a way that it does not interfere with other robots.
Pre-mapping refers to all information provided to the robot after the course has been seen. In the case of Rescue Line, this includes, in particular, information on whether an obstacle should be navigated to the left or right. It also includes information regarding the entrance and exit of the evacuation area or the position of the victims to be rescued. Any transmission of such information is prohibited under the rules and may result in the run being disqualified. Before the start of the run, only the calibration of the sensors is permitted as an adjustment to the course. Pre-mapping may be penalised by all previous runs being awarded 0 points. The team is then obliged to prove that the robotâs programming has been modified in such a way that pre-mapping is no longer possible.
In Rescue Line Entry, the turning directions at junctions (left/right) are communicated before the runs (at least 30 minutes before the first run of a round). This may, of course, be set on the robot and does not count as pre-mapping.
By signing the score sheet, the team captain acknowledges all successfully completed sections, gaps, obstacles, crossings, bumpers, ramps and rescued victims listed on the refereeâs sheet. Only the total scores and the ticks in the respective sections are valid. Any subsequent âreconsiderationâ is only possible if a relevant comment has been left on the refereeâs sheet. Any complaints must be noted on the back of the refereeâs sheet and clarified with the League Chairs (not with the referees).
No, an open technical evaluation (Rule 6 in Rescue Line / Line Entry / Maze or Rule 5 in Rescue Maze Entry) is not conducted.
Yes, they are allowed to, but they wonât answer that question.
Here is a quote from Liebke in PDF format. This is one way to purchase these materials (the quote is for illustrative purposes only and prices may have changed).
There is also a print template for the Maze letters available to download.
