This information is collected prior to participation on-site at the competition, during the registration process. Submission requirements, guidelines, and scoring rubrics can be found in Section 2: Design Documentation.

Design Documentation submissions collected before the competition include:

• Technical Design Report

• Team Website

• Team Introduction Video

6.3.1 Optional Community & Outreach

Teams are invited to outline their educational outreach efforts. This activity is not scored; however, it will be shared online for the community and can be eligible for special awards and recognition. Teams may submit a description (500 word limit) of their activities and any supporting documents.

6.1 Registration

6.2 Event Submissions

6.3 Design Documentation Submissions

6.4 Event Expectations

6.5 Team Communications

6.6 Data Sharing

All teams are required to register to compete using the Registration form found on the RoboBoat website, RoboBoat.org/2025. This registration collects each team’s point of contact information, demographics, and the Pre-Competition Requirements outlined in Section 6.2: Event Submissions and Section 6.3: Design Documentation Submissions.

6.1.1 Registration Fees

To complete the RoboBoat 2025 registration, teams must pay the registration fee of $1,000 USD.

6.1.2 Cancellation and Refund Policy

To cancel a registration, teams must complete the Cancellation Form. Cancellation requests submitted via email will not be accepted. Click here to review the cancellation and refund policy: roboboat.org/cancellation-policy.

6.1.3 First-Year Teams

First-year teams are eligible to participate in RoboBoat without an ASV. These teams are expected to participate in Design Documentation and send representation on-site at the event as a learning experience. First-year teams are expected to indicate this option in their registration form.

6.4.1 Travel + Lodging

Teams are responsible for coordinating their own lodging and travel plans.

Lodging—Event Hotel

RoboNation has contracted with a local hotel to provide a special rate for RoboBoat teams. Teams are responsible for booking their own lodging for the event. More information to be released at a later date.

Travel Considerations

VISA Process – It is recommended for international students to acquire a B-1 Visitor VISA to attend the competition. However, if the student has plans for any other activities besides the competition, they may choose to investigate other types of visas. Explore the different types of visas: travel.state.gov.

Invitation Letter – Once a team is officially registered and the registration fee is paid, they are eligible to request invitation letters. During the Team Member Registration, each team member are given the opportunity to request an invitation letter issued by RoboNation. Contact support@robonation.org with any questions.

6.4.2 Shipping

Teams are responsible for coordinating the necessary shipping to ensure arrival of vehicle and equipment. Any shipping questions can be directed to Cheri Koch at ckoch@robonation.org / 850.642.0536. More shipping instructions to be released at a later date.

6.4.3 Event Logistics

Team Village

Each team is provided with a 10’ x 10’ working area in a tent that includes two tables / seven chairs, one electrical outlet (120V 60 Hz 15A), and a wireless internet connection. The Team Village is a tent with sidewalls that resides on a flat grassy field surface. Although the covered workspace is weather resistant, teams are discouraged from leaving sensitive electronics/equipment exposed in the tent.

Teams should conduct development, maintenance, and repair of their systems in their designated area in Team Village. Batteries may be charged during the day at the Team Village but may not be left charging overnight.

Team Course Operating Areas (Shoreline)

Teams are provided with an area along the shoreline near the course areas where they are able to set up their shore equipment. Each course has a 10’ x 10’ tent-covered area with a single table per tent, 120V 60Hz 15A power, and a hard-wired Ethernet connection to the Technical Director network. The power provided is for Operator Control Station (OCS) use only and shall not be extended to any platforms on the beach. This space is shared between all teams utilizing the course.

Power

The United States uses a 120V 60Hz 15A electrical outlet plug. Usually three pins, two parallel blades (one wider than the other), and an offset semi-round pin. The wider blade is Neutral, the shorter blade is Hot/Line and the third pin is Ground. Teams will only get one 15A service and should not connect more load than that.

Vehicle Deployment and Recovery

Vehicles are deployed and recovered in the water on the required cart provided by each team, using a portable rollout mat. The temporary walkway is similar to the Mobi-mat, available at shop.mobi-mat.com. The cart will get wet as it’s submerged during deployment and recovery. RoboBoat staff are responsible for recovering any lost vehicles. All reasonable efforts to recover a lost vehicle will be made, but the recovery of a lost vehicle cannot be guaranteed. All teams recognize by entering the competition, they risk damage to, or the loss of, their vehicle.

Open to the Public

This event is open to the public. Consider the possible attendance from future employers or sponsors.

6.5.1 Pre-Competition Communications

RoboBoat teams have a variety of opportunities to interact with each other and the RoboBoat staff leading up to the event.

TeamTime Meetings

Leading up to the on-site competition, teams are asked to send a representative to regularly scheduled virtual meetings. These TeamTime meetings are hosted by the RoboBoat organizers and technical team to provide teams with competition updates and the opportunity to ask questions. Teams can find the meeting dates and details on the , , and email.

RoboBoat Discord

All questions, comments, and suggestions should be posted on the . Teams are encouraged to actively participate in the online community and monitor it for the latest news and updates regarding all things RoboBoat.

6.5.2 Event Communications

Team Lead

Each team must designate a student team member as their team lead. The team lead is the only person allowed to speak for the team. The team lead is the only person permitted to request vehicle deployment, run start, run end, or vehicle retrieval. The team lead must be conversationally fluent in English to communicate with RoboBoat staff. Teams who do not have members fluent in English should contact RoboBoat staff as soon as possible.

Technical Director Team

The RoboBoat Technical Director Team consists of a Technical Director, Safety Inspectors and Course Managers.

Other RoboBoat Staff

The RoboBoat Staff are identified with “Staff” shirts.

6.5.3 RoboBoat Website

This information is collected prior to participation on-site at the competition, during the registration process.

6.2.1 Team Member Registration

This form is required for all team members, advisors, and chaperones planning to attend the competition on-site. Each individual will be able to enter and submit their own information using this process. This information includes name, contact information, dietary restrictions, academic information, optional resume, emergency contact information, signed forms, and a request for an invitation letter.

• Download the (required of all minor and adult participants)

• Download the (required of all adult participants, over the age of 18 years)

6.2.2 Team Demographics

Team demographics are collected to determine program impact on students and in educational settings. This information may also be shared with any eligible sponsors.

6.2.3 Merchandise Order

Using the RoboBoat Competition Shop, teams place an order for their team's shirts. A discount code is provided in the registration portal to receive the first five t-shirts for free. Additional shirts cost $15 each.

6.2.4 Vehicle Information

This submission documents a list of all components utilized in the system design. In cases where components were developed by the team versus purchased off the shelf, this information should be included. Additionally, if commercial off the shelf equipment were significantly modified this should be noted. Under the column marked “Specs” a web link to the manufacturer’s specifications may be provided. This standardized table will help document and track trends in component (hardware and software) usage and team metrics.

6.2.5 On-Site Requirements

Battery Safety Requirements

Shipping Plan

1. Organization name

2. Team name

3. Shipping POC

4. Shipping POC mobile number

5. Shipping POC email address

6. Number of crates

7. Dimensions for each crate

8. Estimated shipping date

9. Shipping Company

10. Type of shipment – Air, ground, ocean

11. Has initial pick-up or drop off been scheduled – include date of pick-up or drop off

12. Is this a dangerous good shipment? If so, has a dangerous goods shipment been arranged?

13. Have you scheduled your outbound shipment pick-up or drop off? Provide pick-up details (date/time) for any pick-up from the hotel.

14. Additional information for shipment, if needed.

A Data Sharing project has been established for registered teams competing in RoboNation’s autonomous competitions: RoboBoat, SUAS, RoboSub, and RobotX. This project aims to increase collaboration between teams and to provide access to shared resources and test data to validate and debug the reliability and robustness of teams’ machine vision algorithms. Access information will be provided in the team registration process, outlined in Section 5.1 Register and Intent to Compete.

For the data sharing guide and more information on Data Sharing, visit RoboNation.org/data-sharing.

6.6.1 Data Sharing Access Requirements

During the registration process, teams must provide a generic email account and a team acronym that is used in the Data Sharing project. The generic email can be associated with any email provider. An example of the Generic Email is: roboboat-team@outlook.com. The team acronym must be within 2-10 characters, abbreviating the team’s school or organization. Examples of the team acronym are: RN or ROBOTEAM.

Access is given to teams that complete the Registration form. Only official registered teams maintain access to the Data Sharing project for the competition season.