ThetaShift is a high-octane robotics competition organized as part of Techfest 2026-27, the annual science and technology festival of IIT Bombay. This event challenges participants to design and build a manually controlled, wireless spherical robot capable of navigating dynamic terrain, clearing precision-based obstacles, and handling surprise course features. The top 5 teams from the Zonals round will qualify for the Grand Finale at the IIT Bombay campus from December 16–18, 2026.
Who Should Participate?
- Engineering and robotics enthusiasts from any college or university
- Students passionate about mechanical design, electronics, and control systems
- Teams of 1–4 members looking to test their skills in a competitive environment
Key Rules & Technical Specifications
- Bot Dimensions & Drive: Must be a wireless spherical bot with a diameter between 4 and 10 inches.
- Control Mechanism: Controlled manually via a joystick/remote or a mobile phone using 2.4GHz WiFi or Bluetooth. SSID format must follow TeamName_TF.
- Power Constraints: Onboard power supply only (≤ 24V DC for electric setups). A physical power-disconnect switch is mandatory.
- Build Constraints: No ready-made Lego parts (ready-made gear assemblies permitted). Spikes, abrasive materials, or adhesives damaging the track cause immediate disqualification.
Arena & Challenge Breakdown
The 3x3m arena features 12 distinct terrain obstacles designed to test control, traction, and task execution:
- Terra Firma: Rock and sand path (50 Points)
- The Slalom Ridge: Triangular zig-zag barriers (30 Points)
- Sawtooth Ridge: Contiguous triangular speed bumps (30 Points)
- Infinity Circuit: Figure-8 path (60 Points)
- Domino Planks: Unevenly spaced rectangular planks (40 Points)
- Incline Overdrive: 10-degree incline ramp (40 Points)
- The Razor’s Edge: Elevated 7-inch wide track without side barriers (60 Points)
- Freefall Hairpin: Downhill slope ending in an immediate 90-degree turn (70 Points)
- The Gridlock: Alternating block grid path (30 Points)
- The U-Turn: Strict U-turn maneuver (20 Points)
- Bulldozer Drive: Pushing a block across a line and exiting in reverse (50 Points)
- Surprise Obstacles: Confidential obstacles introduced during the Grand Finale.
Gameplay, Scoring & Time Limit
- Time Limit: 6 minutes (360 seconds) per run. Each team gets 1 run.
- Scoring Formula: Total Score = A + T - P, where A is Task Points earned (Max 480 Points), T is Time Bonus = 240 - Time in seconds (for runs under 4 minutes; Max 100 Points), and P is Penalties (10 points per arena violation or extra pause time).
- Pauses & Resets: Two 45-second and one 30-second technical pauses allowed. Off-track bots reset to the start of the current obstacle with a 10-point penalty.
Timeline & Rewards
- Grand Finale: December 16–18, 2026 at IIT Bombay Campus.
- Certificates: Certificates of Excellence for the top 5 teams per zonal city and top 3 finale winners. Participation E-Certificates for teams crossing the benchmark score.
Team Size: 1–4
Registration Deadline: 2026-12-06
Techfest is one of Asia's largest science and technology festivals, known for hosting a wide range of competitions, workshops, and exhibitions that attract participants from across the globe. ThetaShift is a flagship robotics challenge that pushes the boundaries of innovation and engineering excellence.