2026 RCJ Rescue Draft Rules

RoboCupJunior Rescue
8

Hello MASA,

Thank you for reading the draft rules carefully and for your questions.

Even though the old “prohibited parts/modules list” (2025 section 4.1.5) is no longer present, that does not mean “everything is allowed” in 2026.

In the 2026 Rescue Line rules, the restrictions are written in a more general way. In particular, the rules still prohibit using commercially produced robot kits or sensor components that are specifically designed or marketed to complete any single primary task of RoboCupJunior Rescue (i.e., “task-solver” modules). This is intended to keep the league educational and fair.

What this means for your examples

  • Line-following sensors
    • If you mean a ready-made “line follower module” sold/marketed for line following / RCJ Rescue, then it is still not permitted under the “task-solver component” restriction.
    • If you mean general-purpose reflectance/IR sensors (that students integrate and program themselves), those are typically considered normal sensors and are generally acceptable.
  • AI cameras
    • A general camera / vision sensor can be fine.
    • But an “AI camera” module that is marketed as a complete line-following solution (or a complete rescue-task solution) would fall into the same “task-solver component” category and would not be permitted.
  • OCR libraries
    • The 2026 rules allow the use of external code, as long as teams credit the original creators and the team can explain what they are doing (i.e., it is not just using a complete solution without understanding).
    • So an OCR library is not automatically prohibited in 2026 by “parts/modules” rules. The key expectations are proper credit and student understanding.
    • It is very important that students understand it very well and are able to explain it.

Important practical note

Because these cases depend heavily on what exactly the item is and how it is marketed, the committee usually answers with this principle:

Generic sensors and tools are fine; “single-task RCJ Rescue solver” modules are not.

Best regards,
Mahmoud Madi
2026 RCJ Rescue Committee