Technical

ROBOCALYPSE

A multi-stage competitive engineering challenge designed to test speed,strategy,innovation,and real-time problem-solving

Date & TimeApr 18, 2026, 10:00 AM

TypeTeam Event

Team Size3–5 Members

DeadlineApr 15, 2026, 11:59 PM

VenueLP102

Prize Pool₹10,000

Free Entry

Registration Closed

Under the banner of Helix, the annual technical fest of Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, the Mechatronics & Robotics Society (MARS) presents a multi-stage competitive platform for aspiring engineers, innovators, and problem-solvers. Participants will advance through structured rounds including rapid mechanical design challenges, strategic component bidding, and live performance execution. Each stage is carefully designed to test analytical thinking, resource optimization, and real-time engineering decision-making under constraints. The event aims to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom concepts and practical competitive engineering by delivering a hands-on, strategy-driven experience that simulates real-world technical pressure, limited resources, and execution-based performance evaluation.

The RoboCalypse (RC Car Challenge) is a dynamic, multi-stage engineering competition designed to test participants’ skills in mechanical design, electronics, strategy, and real-time execution. The event is divided into three progressive rounds, where teams must first prove their technical knowledge, then demonstrate strategic decision-making, and finally build and race a fully functional RC car to compete for victory.

Rules & Regulations

Participants must bring their own laptops.
Any use of unfair means or unauthorized external resources/datasets will result in immediate disqualification.
Teams must adhere to all instructions provided during each round.
The organizing committee reserves the right to modify rules if necessary.
In case of disputes, the decision of the coordinators will be final and binding.

Important Information

All components required for building the RC car will be provided during the event.
Detailed rules for the bidding and building rounds will be disclosed on-site.
Participants are expected to be present for all rounds to remain eligible.
The event features a total prize pool of ₹10,000 for the winning teams.
Certificates of participation and achievement will be provided to all eligible participants.

Event Structure

Round 1: Technical Evaluation

This round consists of 10 sub-rounds, assessing participants across multiple engineering domains.

Problem formats include:

Simulation-based challenges (TinkerCad-style conceptual tasks)
Mechanical design problems (paper-based solutions)
Electronics hardware speedruns

Shortlisting Criteria:

Accuracy of solution
Design feasibility
Time efficiency
Points will be awarded based on performance, and the top 5 teams will qualify for the next round.

Round 2: Strategic Bidding Round

Qualified teams will enter a controlled bidding process.

Each team receives a fixed virtual budget, determined by their performance in Round 1.
Essential components required for building the RC car will be auctioned.
Teams must strategically allocate their budget to optimize performance while managing constraints.

Round 3: Build & Race Finale

In the final round:

Teams will build an RC car using the components acquired during the bidding round.
The event culminates in a competitive race, where teams compete head-to-head.
The team with the best-performing RC car wins the final prize.