Design Print Destroy - Alliances 2026

Overview:

This is an experimental PLAnt competition testing a new FRC/FTC style alliance format. All matches will be in a 2 vs 2 format. Every bot will have 3 or 4 placement matches (tbd based on number of signups) with a random teammate to gain placement points which are determined by the outcome of the match. After the placement matches, the top 8 bots are designated as captains and can pick teammates in order to form teams of 3. The top 4 bots are not allowed to pick each other as alliance partners. The teams will then enter a single elim bracket where each team nominates 2 bots to enter each match.

Located at the second floor of the Mechanical Engineering Laboratory building.

Schedule:

8:30am: Check-ins begin

9:30am: Driver's meeting

10:00am: Matches start

5:00pm-6:00pm: Matches end

Arena Info:

The arena is 6x6x3 with traction painted plywood floors, a 3 in high polycarb out-of-arena wall in one corner, and an active ventilation system.

The arena will be available for testing between matches

Bot Guidelines:

Active weapon rule is in place and will be enforced

Weapons must be able to influence a fight in a meaningful way and is up to the event organizer's discretion.

Weapon locks MUST be on at all times in the pit and wheels off the ground

We used a modified weight bonus system that encourages technological innovation:

   Non traditional locomotion (shufflers, gyro walkers, bristlebots, etc.) = 1.25lbs

   Swerve drive, true multibot (50/50 or 51/49 split), and fully autonomous = 1.5 lbs

   True walker (at least 3 individually controlled DOF between all legs) = 2 lbs

Weight bonuses do NOT stack. If you have any questions, feel free to ask on our discord.

   The only allowed plastics are PLA(+), PETG, ABS, and ASA.

   COTS parts are allowed where necessary.

   Custom TPU wheel cores are NOT allowed.

   Under no reasonable circumstance should a non printed component be impacted in a way which protects the robot

   Thermal post processing of parts (salt annealing) is not allowed. 

 

A full ruleset can be found here (see above for weight bonus modifications): https://robobrawl.illinois.edu/dpd/rules