Hybrid Micro Mouse Challenge

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Hybrid Micro Mouse Challange 2026
BUILD. PROGRAM. CONQUER.
About the Challenge
Are you ready to put your robotics, programming, and engineering skills to the test?
The
Hybrid Micro Mouse Challenge 2026
, hosted by Alliance University as part of Alliance ONE, invites students to build, program, and test autonomous robots in a competition that combines line tracking and maze solving.
The challenge requires a single robot to complete two stages in one continuous run. First, it must follow a black line on a white surface. Next, it must navigate a walled maze without a guiding line and reach the goal using its own sensors, control logic, and navigation strategy.
This is more than a race. It is a hands-on test of sensor integration, embedded systems, autonomous decision-making, algorithm design, and hardware–software integration.
The Two-Zone Challenge
Zone A — Line Tracking
Navigate a course featuring a 3 cm-wide black line on a white surface. Your robot must track the path independently and respond to line deviations without human guidance.
Zone B — Maze Solving
Enter a walled maze with

Requirements
What to Build
Build or configure
one autonomous robot capable of completing both line tracking and maze solving in a single continuous run.
Zone A — Line Tracking
Follow a 3 cm-wide black line on a white surface.
Integrate sensors and motor-control logic for reliable path tracking.
Recover independently if the robot moves completely off the line.
Zone B — Maze Solving
Navigate a walled maze without a guiding line.
Implement a maze exploration and navigation algorithm.
Where supported, retain the learned map between runs to improve performance.
Technical Requirements
Maximum dimensions: 15 cm wide × 18 cm long.
Maximum weight: 1,000 g.
Controller: Arduino, ESP32, or a similar microcontroller.
Permitted sensors: IR sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and wheel encoders.
Onboard battery complying with the official safety rules.
One start button or switch, followed by at least a three-second delay before movement.
Pre-built robots and ready-made kits are permitted, provided participants write or configure the program that solves the course. Hard-coded line paths and maze layouts are prohibited.
What to Submit
1. Functional Robot
Bring one working robot that satisfies the applicable edition's specifications and can demonstrate both stages.
2. Program and Technical Explanation
Be prepared to explain:
The programming or configuration used to control the robot.
Sensor integration and line-following logic.
Maze exploration and navigation strategy.
How the robot operates autonomously.
3. One-Page Design Note
Prepare a one-page design note showing the robot's main components, sensors, hardware layout, and a brief explanation of how it follows the line and solves the maze. A neat hand-drawn page is acceptable.
4. Technical Inspection
The robot will be inspected for size, weight, battery safety, and prohibited equipment. Two student team members must answer two or three short technical questions from a judge.
5. Competition Demonstration
Each team receives three timed qualifier runs. The top six teams advance to the final, with three runs on a new course layout.

Judging Criteria
Navigation Performance
The robot's ability to complete the line-following track and navigate the walled maze autonomously. Performance will be evaluated according to the official course requirements and run rules.
Completion Time
The time taken by the robot to complete the challenge. The official scoring method uses elapsed time in seconds, with applicable penalties added to determine the score.
Rule Compliance and Safety
Compliance with the robot's specified dimensions, weight, power and battery requirements, start procedure, and competition safety rules. Rule violations may result in penalties or disqualification as specified in the official rulebook.
Autonomous Operation and Recovery
The robot's ability to follow the line, navigate the maze, and recover from navigation errors according to the official rules. Handling penalties and line-loss recovery rules will apply where specified.
Design Explanation
Participants must be able to explain their robot's design and program to the judges and respond to the questions specified in the official rulebook. The design note must also be provided as required by the competition rules.