• Event: Hybrid Micro Mouse Challenge 2026

• Date: 29 October 2026, as shown on the event poster

• Time: 10:00 AM onwards, as shown on the event poster

• Venue: Alliance University, Bengaluru Central Campus

Confirm the final schedule on the registration page or with the organizing team before publishing.

• School Edition: Grades 9–12.

• College Edition: Students enrolled in a recognized college or university.

• Each team registers one robot.

• Students may belong to only one team.

• Participants must bring their own robots and components.

• Individual participation is permitted where the registration process allows it; teams may not be formed at the venue.

Team-size note: The Alliance ONE brochure lists 1–5 members, while the supplied rulebooks specify five students per team. Confirm the accepted team size with the organizers before finalizing registration.

• Maximum size: 15 cm wide × 18 cm long.

• Maximum weight: 1,000 g.

• Permitted controllers: Arduino, ESP32, or similar boards.

• Permitted sensors: IR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and wheel encoders.

• Onboard battery only.

• A single start button or switch is required.

• The robot must wait at least three seconds after activation before moving.

• Three timed qualifier runs per team.

• The top six teams advance to the final.

• Three timed runs per finalist on a new layout.

• Maximum run duration: 10 minutes.

• Final score = run time in seconds + applicable penalties.

• Lower scores rank higher.

Penalties include:

• Handling: +5 seconds when the Team Leader touches the robot during a run, with a zone-specific reset.

• Line loss: Five seconds to recover independently before the situation counts as handling.

• Shortcutting: Skipping any part of the line course counts as handling.

• Wall displacement: +3 seconds for each occurrence of pushing or dragging a wall more than 1 cm out of place.

• DNF: A run that times out or is ended early receives no score.

Ties are resolved by fewer total penalties, then a faster individual run, followed by a head-to-head re-run if required.

Participants must not use:

• Remote control, phone control, or human intervention during a run.

• Hard-coded line paths or maze layouts.

• Suction fans, sticky wheels, or equipment that damages the arena.

• Devices that jam or interfere with other teams' sensors.

• Launchers, flames, liquids, or other unsafe equipment.

Tampering with another team's robot or the arena, unsafe conduct, and disrespect towards officials may result in disqualification.

• Secure all batteries firmly.

• Charge lithium batteries only in the designated area with the responsible person present.

• Never leave batteries unattended while charging.

• Follow instructions from organizers, volunteers, and judges.

Treat all participants, organizers, judges, and volunteers respectfully. Compete fairly, protect the arena and equipment, and follow the instructions of event officials.

AI tools may be used for learning and debugging, but every student must be able to explain the submitted code.

Robots undergo inspection before the qualifier. Each team must provide a one-page design note and answer technical questions.

Re-evaluation requests must be raised by the Team Leader to the head judge within the time limit specified in the applicable rulebook.

The official School or College Edition Rulebook, as applicable, governs participation and competition procedures.