In October 2012, the Robot Japan organizers participated in the Korean International Robot Contest and brought back several new robot competition ideas to improve the Japan event.
One interesting new competition was the 'Survival Marathon'. The robots have to race around a circular 'marathon' course. A new competitor starts off every few seconds. If they catch up and touch the robot in front of them, then that robot is eliminated. At the same time, if they go off the course, fall and can't get up by themselves, or fall off the table, they are eliminated. The last robot still running is declared the winner.
