2022-2023 Not-a-Boring
Competition
Abbreviated Rules and Requirements
Updated on February 15, 2022
by
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 General Requirements .................................................................................................................................................... 2
3.0 Schedule .................................................................................................................................................................................. 3
The Boring Company
2022-2023 Not-a-Boring Competition
Abbreviated Rules and Requirements TOC
1.0 Introduction
Created by Elon Musk, founder of Tesla and SpaceX, The Boring Company (TBC) creates safe, fast-to-dig,
and low-cost transportation, utility, and freight tunnels. TBC’s mission is to solve traffic, enable rapid
point-to-point transportation and transform cities.
In September 2021, TBC hosted the first Not-a-Boring Competition which challenged engineers to build
tunneling machines in an effort to accelerate innovation in tunneling technology. Talented teams from
around the world answered the call and demonstrated innovative tunneling technology.
This year, TBC is again inviting teams to design, build, and race their own tunneling machines at TBC’s
factory in Texas.
2022-2023 Competition Rules and Requirements
At the 2022-2023 Not-a-Boring Competition, teams will compete in four categories, in order of priority:
1. Fastest to complete the tunnel,
2. Innovative design, build, and/or test,
3. Most accurate tunnel, and
4. Tightest turn.
The competition has several top-level requirements of teams. Teams shall:
1. Design their own tunneling machine and launch structure (if applicable).
2. Provide and follow a predicted tunnel path.
3. Monitor and control their machine.
a. Machines shall be capable of measuring their position at all times.
b. Machines shall be remotely controlled.
i. No human or animal shall ride in any tunneling machine or in any in-tunnel
transportation device during this competition or during any pre-competition
access.
4. Tunnel Dimensions
a. Functional cross-sectional area of at least 0.2 square meters (equivalent to a circle with
a 0.5-meter diameter)
b. Length of 30 m (measured as the shortest distance between the tunnel entrance and
the tunnel exit)
The Boring Company
2022-2023 Not-a-Boring Competition
Abbreviated Rules and Requirements 1
TBC encourages teams to:
1. Design, build, and test all systems in-house (within reason).
2. Minimize dependency on heavy machinery during competition week (small excavators and
forklifts can be provided, no cranes will be provided).
3. Bore at a nominal depth of at least 1.5 m (shallower tunneling will result in surface disturbances
that will reduce points earned).
4. Simplify launch setups.
a. No pits (e.g. launch and receiving pits) on site can be more than 1.5 m deep.
b. Pre-launch excavation will count against tunneling time.
For updates on the competition schedule, visit boringcompany.com/competition. Any questions or
comments about the 2022-2023 Competition Rules and Requirements should be submitted to
[email protected].
2.0 General Requirements
Eligibility
Both student and non-student teams are eligible to enter the competition.
1. Student led teams must have a Faculty Adviser.
2. Teams may consist of students from multiple schools, or individuals from multiple companies.
3. The team structure is flexible with no minimum number of team members and no maximum
number (within reason).
If there is any question about eligibility, please email
[email protected].
Competition Format
Once formed, interested teams must apply for the competition using the form on
boringcompany.com/competition. Applying teams are screened on their eligibility per the requirements
outlined above. Once screened, teams will receive additional information including requirements for the
first assessment (Preliminary Design Briefing) and a non-abbreviated version of this document.
The teams selected to advance to Competition Week must successfully pass the following pre-
competition assessments where they will be judged by TBC advisers:
1. Preliminary Design Briefing
2. Final Design Briefing
3. Pre-Competition Presentation I and II
After passing the pre-competition assessments, selected applicants and their machines will compete at
TBC’s manufacturing and testing facility in Texas. At the competition teams will conduct several tests
and briefings on their machines and operations to prove safety and reliability to TBC advisers. After
completing these final assessments and passing the safety and reliability check, at TBC’s discretion,
teams will be allowed to test their tunneling machine during Competition Week.
TBC, at its sole discretion, may allow or disallow entrants from accessing the site or from participating in
the competition.
The Boring Company
2022-2023 Not-a-Boring Competition
Abbreviated Rules and Requirements 2
The following tables serve as a reference for teams’ utility and equipment expectations.
Utilities Required by Teams for Competition (to be provided by TBC)
Type Parameter Max draw Interface References
Water Supply
Water Return
(clean only)
Compressed Air
120 VAC power
480 VAC power
Wifi
Equipment Required by Teams for Competition (to be provided by TBC)
Type Make & Model Capacity Interface References
Forklift
Backhoe
3.0 Schedule
Date Milestone
02/15/22 Competition Application Opens
03/1/22 Competition Application Closes
NET March Preliminary Design Briefing Due
NET April Final Design Briefing Due
NET October Pre-Competition Presentation I
NET November Pre-Competition Presentation II
NET January 2023 Competition Week
The Boring Company
2022-2023 Not-a-Boring Competition
Abbreviated Rules and Requirements 3
