Dear RCJ Rescue Community,
The RCJ Rescue Committee is excited to share with you the upcoming 2025 rule changes that apply to all the different RCJ Rescue competitions, RCJ Rescue Line, RCJ Rescue Maze & RCJ Rescue Simulation. We are working on incorporating this to the official rules as soon as possible. In the meantime, we want to let you know to start preparing, discuss the changes with your teams and provide any early feedback to the committee over this forum. This year’s changes required a lot of discussion, understanding the latest technology advancements, analyzing the team’s performance during the 2024 competition and determining the goals of the RCJ Rescue competition in an international setting. Having a community discussion over the proposed changes will help us make sure the final version of the rules will be in the best shape and form to have a competition that encourages innovation and learning among their competitors in a fair scenario.
RULE CHANGES
A.1) AI-Based Solutions
Starting this year, the use of AI-based solutions is permitted without restriction, including the incorporation of AI-based sensors (like the Pixie Cam or Husky Lens). Teams are allowed to incorporate any form of artificial intelligence into their projects. However, teams must demonstrate a decent understanding of the AI technologies they use, and the implementation will be checked. Teams creating more sophisticated AI solutions “from scratch”, will receive more points in the TPD documentation.
A.2) Elimination of Engineering Journal and introducing Presentation Video
The requirement to submit an Engineering Journal has been removed. Instead, each team is required to create and submit a short video presentation showcasing their work. These videos will be presented during the competition and should summarize the key aspects of the team’s project, design process, and innovations. The rubrics for video and TDP will be updated and will continue to have a weight in the team’s final score.
A.3) Compliance with TDP Template
All teams are required to strictly follow the designated TDP template. If a team does not follow this template (including but not limited to the different sections, fonts, size and length) the score for the document will be 0 and is not going to be evaluated.
A.4) Wireless Communication Policy
Wireless communication between devices on the robot is allowed during rounds. However, any communication with the robot from outside the field during the round is strictly prohibited. Teams may use a computer to calibrate the robot at the beginning of the round, but the robot must not start the scoring round remotely. Teams are responsible for their communication. The availability of frequencies cannot be guaranteed.
A.5) Super Team Challenge Communication
During the Super Team Challenge, teams may be required to communicate with other robots. It is strongly recommended that teams consider and plan their communication mechanism during the robot design phase to simplify multi robot communication. The robot would not be mandated to use wireless communication.
A.6) Drone Usage Ban
The use of drones/hovercrafts is prohibited in the challenge due to safety concerns.
Please let us know your feedback as soon as possible as we want to release the official final rules in the upcoming months.
For the specific league changes, please take a look at these posts:
Best,
Diego Garza Rodriguez on behalf of the 2025 RCJ Rescue Committee