Robofest 2005 Informational Meeting

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Robofest 2005Informational Meeting

• Lori Birman and CJ Chung
• Lawrence Technological University

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Agenda

• Introductions Overview of Robofest
• 2005 Regional International Competition Sites
• Unique features of Robofest
• Previous Robofest Challenges
• 2005 Rules
• 2005 Game Demos
• Information for Host Organizers
• Tips on Starting a Team
• Technical Workshop Schedule
• Warm-up Competition
• Q A

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What is Robofest
Robofest is an annual autonomous robotics
contest for students grades 5th - 12th. Students
can compete in two ways

• Competition require two robots that interact
  with each other
• Exhibition - to show off any creative autonomous
  robotics projects

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Goals of Robofest

• To spark young students' interest in Science,
  Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)
• Promote students' creative and innovative
  thinking
• Challenge and advance the scientific and
  engineering skills of students
• Recognize students' achievements
• Promote good teamwork and work ethics
• Build our future technical work force

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Competition Divisions

• Junior Division
• 5th-9th
• Easier Problem
• Icon-Based Programming Language
• Senior Division
• 9th-12th
• More Difficult Problem
• Professional Programming Language such as C or
  Java

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2005 Robofest Regional and International
Competition Sites

• Alpena Community College, Alpena, Michigan, April
  2
• Canton Charter Academy, Canton, Michigan, April 9
• Hanul Kid, China, (City and Date are TBD)
• Delta College, University Center, Michigan, April
  9
• Hanyang University, Ansan, Korea, February 19-20
• Hillside Middle School, Northville, Michigan,
  April 9
• Lawrence Tech University, Southfield, Michigan,
  April 9
• Macomb Intermediate School District, MISD,
• Clinton Township, Michigan, April 9
• Milk River School, Alberta, Canada, Date TBD
• Robotech Center, Nashua, New Hampshire, Date TBD
• Washtenaw Community College, (Tentative)
• Ann Arbor, Michigan, Date TBD

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World Robofest, April 23, 2005, LTU, Southfield,
Michigan

• Top Winners from each Regional and International
  Competition Site will move on to Compete at World
  Robofest, April 23, on the campus of LTU.
• The number of teams to advance from each region
  will be decided in proportion to the number of
  teams for that site/division after the
  registration is completed
• We estimate there will be 20 junior competition
  teams, 16 senior competition teams, and 5
  exhibition teams are invited

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Unique Features of Robofest

• Focused on learning computer technologies
• The dimension of the playing field is unknown
• A part of the competition problem is unknown
  until the day of competition -- even the
  condition of the playing field is dynamic
• Competition requires two robots per team
• Maximize students' learning - No direct adult
  help is allowed
• Teams can use any robotic platform
• Can use any programming language

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Unique Features of Robofest Continued

• Can use any number of actuators, passive sensors,
  and 3 active sensors
• Can use glue, tape, and any materials
• Nominal fees - 30 registration fee per team 20
  on-site check-in fee (tentative)
• Free Technical Workshops for registered Teams
• Offers on-line resources for teachers, coaches,
  and all participants

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Unique Features of Robofest Continued

• It is simple, easy, modular, portable and
  affordable to set up fields playing field
  materials can be reused every year
• Centralized support for all Hosting Sites
• Every registered Student, Coach, and Team
  Volunteer will receive a personalized framed
  certificate
• Medals for all Registered Students

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Unique Features of Robofest Continued

• During World Robofest, each registered Student
  will receive an individual trophy at World
  Robofest
• Winning Teams in various categories will receive
  large trophies
• New The top robots will be kept in a Robotics
  Display Case (Museum) at LTU Teams will get
  reimbursements for their robots

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1st Robofest, 2000
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2nd Robofest, 2001
RoboMessenger
Registration had to be closed early Handy Board
Division for High School Teams was introduced
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3rd Robofest 2002 ChallengesRoboRescuers

• Construct two robots to save Lego citizens
  trapped in a burning building.
• The robots interact with each other to transfer
  the oxygen masks and use robotic strength to
  remove the wall that blocks the victims.

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3rd Robofest 2002 ChallengesRoboRescuers,
Advanced Div.

• Any robot programmed with High-level programming
  languages
• Must blow out the fire!
• The location of the birthday candle light is
  unknown

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4th Robofest 2003 Competition
Unknown challenges introduced
Mission Possible
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5th Robofest 2004 Competition
Earthquake Challenge
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6th Robofest 2005 - RoboRelay
Junior Division
Complexity is similar to 2002s RoboRescuers
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6th Robofest 2005 - RoboRelay
Senior Division
No Line
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RoboRelay Junior Division
The brightness of the competition area is unknown
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(No Transcript)
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Game Rules

• Unknown missions will be unveiled right after
  opening ceremony
• For each round, whenever the team is ready to
  compete, come to the on-deck circle, staging area
  with the robots
• 2 minutes per game are given
• 2 chances (rounds) are given for each team
• Only two players are allowed in the official
  playing field. One minute will be allowed for
  setup before each round
• Team members are responsible for catching the
  robot if it falls off Check the track

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In Case of Any Failure

• Team may start the first robot from the beginning
  for perfect score, or
• Team may retry only the second robot by starting
  it manually

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Extra Points

• If all missions are completed in a sequence from
  the beginning till the end without any human
  help, then extra 5 points will be given.
• Flash Extra Points To encourage teams to try
  early in the first round, the first match teams
  will get 3 extra points. (If there are two
  official playing fields, then two teams will get
  the extra points). The second match teams will
  get 2 points, and the third match team will get 1
  point

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Robot Specifications

• The length of the robot must be less than or
  equal to 12 However, during the game, the robot
  may extend its dimensions.
• You may use up to 3 active sensors any number of
  passive sensors
• You may use any number/type of motors/servo
  motors
• Any material to construct your robot
• You may use tape, glue, bolts and nuts, etc.
• only one robot controller for each robot
• Icon-based graphical programming language for the
  Junior division.

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Playing Field Construction

• Final shape and length will be unveiled on the
  competition day
• For the 2nd robot, the path from the start line
  to the crossroad is straight and the length is
  unknown. The number of black lines between the
  start line and the crossroad is also unknown. The
  distances between those lines are uneven.
• All the edges (not the center area) of the
  shelves will be taped together using transparent
  packaging tape (2 width). If your robot is
  using skids, make sure they can slide over the
  tape.

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RoboRelay Senior Division Same as the Junior
Division. Differences are

• Recommended programming language is a text based
  high-level programming language
• The unknown parts denoted with the ? marks will
  not contain any lines, but they will have
  combinations perpendicular corners
• The length of the white board is unknown. The
  length of the straight black line at the end of
  the path for the 1st robot is unknown

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2005 Contest Divisions
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Recommended topics for Robofest 2005 Exhibitions

• Legged robot version of RoboRelay
• Legged robot dancing
• Using data logging capabilities of robots

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How to Register Teams

• Coach registration on the web at www.robofest.net
• January 12
• Robofest 2003 and 2004 coaches may used old
  account
• Confirm the registration at your email account
• Log on the coach account
• Select one regional site
• Register team(s)
• Pay registration fee (30) online using PayPal
• Upload team and robot photo

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Roles of Coaches

• Responsible for facilitating and overseeing team
  members
• Email to the coach is the primary and official
  communication method between the team and the
  Robofest organizer.
• Recruit team volunteers including technology
  mentors
• Provide at least a volunteer for either setup or
  cleanup at the hosting site
• Responsible for entering/updating the team data
  and uploading team photos
• Collect Consent Media Release Forms. Submit at
  check-in

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Robofest is Not for Adults

• There will be judges/proctors in the competition
  area.
• If any adult wants to give help to their team for
  any reason, the adult must get permission from
  the judges/proctors
• Only team members with badges are allowed in the
  pit (team table) area
• No adults are allowed to be in the pit area,
  except team coaches with badges in case there is
  a need
• It is strongly suggested that, for security
  purposes, the coach must watch the team table
  area, especially when the team plays

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Team's Responsibility Prior to Opening Ceremony

• Doors will open at 800 a.m. All the teams must
  check-in by 830am. Teams must use the team table
  assigned by the organizer. Please do not change
  the team tables. Judges may visit the team tables
• Teams must have inspection and interview before
  the competition begins. Submit the hard copy of
  your program to judges during the inspection

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Team's Responsibility During Competition

• In the competition round 1, each team member must
  introduce her/his role and accomplishments using
  a microphone to Judges the public. Each team
  will have one minute for the team introduction.
• Exhibition team member must introduce her/his
  role and accomplishments using a microphone to
  Judges the public, too. They will have 5
  minutes for the presentation and demonstration of
  the project.

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Team's Responsibility During Competition
Continued..

• For the competition, teams need to implement new
  additions for the unknown missions and adjust
  programs to allow for the variation in the new
  environment.
• It is the team's responsibility before the game
  to ensure the track is in satisfactory condition.
  
• Lego teams only whenever new programs are
  downloaded, both your robot and the IR tower MUST
  be covered by a box.

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Team Checklist for Robofest Competition Day

• 20 check-in fee (tentatively)
• A laptop for each team
• Hard copy of programs to give to judges
• Only for exhibition teams poster boards to
  introduce the exhibition description and all the
  necessary materials for the exhibition.
• A power strip and power cord
• Cardboard box to cover your robot and ID tower
  when downloading (Lego teams only)
• Extra batteries
• Signed Consent Media Release forms

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Competition Winners

• There will be winners for various categories,
  including Best Performance
• For Best Performance, the average of two rounds
  will be used to determine finalists
• Best Performance winner is selected from
  performance during the Finalist Round, not from
  the cumulative average of the three rounds.
  (There will be no Semi-finalist Round.)

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Judging and Prizes

• Top winners will win large trophies
• Competition Performance winners are directly
  decided by the final competition results
• Judges Award winners are decided by several
  categories including, but not limited to
  performance (reliability), originality,
  creativity, functionality, programming,
  construction, teamwork, team spirit,
  presentation, and new technology used
• Every registered student will receive a framed
  certificate of achievement and a medal

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How Teams Advance to World Robofest - Competition
Division

• Average performance score 80 (note that
  finalists will use the average of best two)
• Robot Inspection Interview 5
• Team public presentation 5
• Source code inspection 10

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How teams advance to World Robofest - Exhibition
Division

• Originality (creativity) 40
• Public presentation performance (reliability)
  20
• Usefulness 10
• Complexity and functionality 10
• New technologies used 10
• Source code inspection 10

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Check List for Regional and International Host
Sites

• Time Schedule for Hosting Facilities
• AM Event Three hour Friday evening setup
  recommended, Actual event from 800 am-1230 pm
  (4.5 hours, no lunch )
• PM Event 9 am- 1230 pm setup, Actual Event
  1230 - 500 pm
• One table with chairs and an electrical outlet
  per team, (3x 6 or banquet rounds)
• One table for check-in with chairs, and one table
  for awards
• If 20 teams, two playing fields and two practice
  playing fields are needed (LTU will provide each
  site with the playing fields.)
• Chair or bleachers for spectators
• Stop watches for Judges

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Check List for Host Continued

• Gym Score Board or Multimedia Projector Screen
• Sound System
• Arrangements for the playing (or singing) of the
  National Anthem(s)
• Optional concession stand (could be a school
  fundraiser)
• Ropes to surround official playing fields
• Facility Host official to make welcoming remarks,
  assist with awards presentations
• Access to photocopier
• Support and volunteer staff
• 2 Competition Judges per playing field

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Check List for Host Continued

• 2 autonomous robotics experts for Judges awards
• One score/time keeper
• On-site program for all attendees, LTU will
  provide site hosts with copy and logos
• Optional Video and Camera crew
• Optional Public relations assistance for press
  releases

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Materials LTU Provides to Hosts

• Official playing field materials
• Official Robofest Banner
• Directional yard signs
• Team signs for team tables
• Name badges and framed certificates of
  participation for all registered students
• Winner Trophies for 20-25 of the registered
  teams
• T-shirts and small gifts for volunteers and staff

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Services LTU Provides to Hosts

• Promotion of your organization through Website,
  New Paper articles, Press Releases, etc.
• On-line Team registration for all competition
  sites each host will have an administrative
  account to get/manage all the team info
• On-line account to recruit and manage your
  volunteers
• Judge training at LTU, practice competition on
  March 5 at LTU
• Template files, copy and logo for designing your
  on-site competition program flyer
• Signage, badges, trophies, certificates, medals,
  etc.

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How to Start a Team

• Ask us to give a presentation at your school
• Find students who already has Lego Mindstorms
  (199) at home
• Find parent volunteers (engineers) who are
  interested in helping
• Register your team on the web on Jan. 12, 2005
• Put together a playing field
• Ask students to attend free workshops at LTU
• Assign some of the team work as (group) homework
• Integration as an after-school program

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Comparison of FLL and Robofest - I
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Comparison of FLL and Robofest - II
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Registration Schedule

• Tue. January 11, 2005, around Noon, finalized
  official rules will be posted on the Robofest
  website www.robofest.net
• Wed. Jan. 12, 2005, registration on the web
  begins

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Free Workshop Schedule(All Sessions will be
held at LTU)

• Sat. Jan. 29, 2005, 9am-Noon, RCX code workshop
  for registered teams
• Sat. Feb. 5, 2005, 9am-Noon, RoboLab workshop for
  registered teams
• Fri. Feb. 11, 2005, 8am-1pm, Robotics Exploration
  Day for invited High School students
• Sat. Feb. 12, 2005, 9am-Noon, LeJos Java workshop
  for registered teams
• Sat. Feb. 19, 2005, 9am-Noon, NQC workshop for
  registered teams
• Fri. Mar. 11, 2005, 8am-1pm, Robotics Exploration
  Day for invited High School students

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Warm-up Competition

• Saturday, March 5 at LTU all Teams will need to
  pre-register with LTU.
• Any team, both Competition and Exhibition
• Host Organizers may want to attend for on-site
  practice
• Practice Training for Judges
• Volunteers may want to attend for on-site practice

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1010
Thank You
Robofest Inspiring Students in Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics