2026 R4M Interference, Pause, and Rerun Procedure 

 

1. Interference and Pause 

 

1.1 Reporting Interference 

If a team experiences communication interference before the official match time has expired, the team may immediately notify the judge. 

1.2 Stopping the Match Timer 

Upon receiving the report, the judge shall immediately instruct the timekeeper to stop the match timer. 

1.3 Team Options 

After confirming the situation with the team, the team shall choose one of the following options. 

Option A – Resume the Match 

The team may resume the match from the point at which it was paused. 

Before the robot is reconnected, the judge shall photograph the robot to record its exact position and condition. 

The team may turn the robot off and reconnect it. 

After reconnection, the team may perform a brief functional check. 

If the robot was carrying or interacting with any mission object when the match was paused, the judge shall restore the robot and mission object(s) to their original positions before the match resumes. 

Should the team experience interference again before the official match time expires, the same procedure shall apply. 

Option B – Request a Rerun 

The team may discontinue the current match and request a rerun. 

 

1.4 After Match Time Expires 

Once the official match time has expired, no further claims of interference will be accepted. 

The score achieved at the end of the official match shall become the final result. 

If the team disagrees with the decision, the Chief Judge shall make the final ruling. 

Should the team refuse to sign the score sheet, the judge or the Chief Judge shall sign on the team's behalf. Competition staff shall escort the team from the Competition Area to avoid delaying subsequent matches. Any further discussion shall be handled by the Chief Judge. 

 

2. Rerun Procedure 

 

2.1 Requesting a Rerun 

If a team decides not to continue the current match due to communication interference, it may request a rerun. 

2.2 Recording the Original Match 

The judge shall record the current match attempt as 0 points and mark an "X" in the team's signature field to indicate that the original attempt has been abandoned. 

2.3 Robot Storage 

Competition staff shall escort the team and its robot to the Rerun Robot Holding Area. 

Once placed in the holding area, the robot shall not be modified or repaired in any way. 

2.4 Waiting Area 

After placing the robot in the holding area, the team shall return to the Assembly Area and wait until instructed by competition staff. 

2.5 Starting the Rerun 

The rerun procedure shall begin only after all scheduled matches on every competition area have been completed. 

2.6 Reporting to the Rerun Competition Area 

Competition staff shall escort the team to retrieve its robot from the Rerun Robot Holding Area before reporting to the Rerun Competition Area. 

 

2.7 Pre-Rerun Testing 

Teams may perform the following tests before the rerun. 

Basic Division 

• Line-following test only.  

• Maximum testing time: 1 minute.  

Advanced Division 

• Line-following test and Platform D test only.  

• Maximum testing time: 2 minutes.  

 

2.8 Scoring 

The rerun shall be evaluated by the judges assigned to the team's original competition area. 

2.9 Additional Claims of Interference 

Because only one team competes in the Rerun Competition Area at a time, no additional claims of communication interference will be accepted during the rerun. 

2.10 Rerun Competition Area 

The final layout and operation of the Rerun Competition Area shall be determined by the Organizer. 

 

2.11 Equipment Restrictions 

During the rerun, teams may use only the robot, components, and batteries that were presented during the original inspection. 

No additional parts, materials, tools, or batteries may be brought into the Rerun Competition Area.