Robofest 2006 Informational Meeting

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Robofest 2006 Informational Meeting Inspiring
Young Minds to Master the Machine.

• Lori Birman and CJ Chung
• Lawrence Technological University

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Robofest 2006 Informational Meeting Attention
Webcast Users
Go to www.robofest.net and print the following
files gtgt Robofest 2006 Rules (PDF)gtgt Robofest
2006 forms (zip with 9 Word files)gtgt Robofest
2006 Game Rules (PDF)
If you have questions during the webcast, send
emails to admin_at_robofest.org
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Welcome to Robofest 2006Little robots, Big
Missions
Dr. David Bindschadler Chair of Math/Computer
Science Dept.
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Agenda

• Overview of Robofest
• 2006 Regional International Competition Sites
• Prior Robofest Games
• Robofest 2006 Game 2006 Rules
• 2006 Game Toxic Waste Cleanup Challenge
• 2006 Exhibition Competition
• Judging and prizes, How Teams Advance to World
  Robofest
• General Registration Process
• Team Coaches, Student Team Members
• Common Sense Rules for Education
• Teams Responsibility on Robofest Day
• Rules for Video Submission Site
• New Pilot Program Competitions for 2006
• Coach Team Resources Robofest Academy,
  Autonomous Robotics Classes for Educators, Tips
  on Starting a Team
• 2006 Schedule Warm-up Competition
• Q A

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What is Robofest

• Annual autonomous robotics contest
• no joysticks or remote controls are allowed
• Students 5th - 12th grade
• Offers two categories for teams to compete
• Games and
• Exhibitions
• (2006 Pilot Categories will be discussed later
  during 2006 Rules.)

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Robofest is growing
Number of students participated
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Goals of Robofest

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

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Game Competition Category

• Students are challenged to accomplish missions
  using two fully autonomous robots they have
  created and programmed to work cooperatively.
• The day of competition, they will be given the
  unknown portion of the mission.

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Exhibition Competition Category

• Each team has complete freedom to show off any
  type of creative autonomous robotics project
• Exhibition robots have danced, played music and
  games, dressed in costumes, performed
  mathematical calculations, etc.
• Exhibition is limited only by the students
  imagination!

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Age Divisions

• There are two Age Divisions in both the Games
  and Exhibition competition categories of
  Robofest
• Junior Division, open to students in 59 grade,
  easier problems, we suggest icon-based
  programming language
• Senior Division, open to students in grades 912
  , more difficult problem, we suggest programming
  language such as C or Java

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2006 Robofest Competition Sites

• Hanyang University, Ansan, Korea, December 17
• Hillside Middle School, Northville, Michigan,
  April 1
• Macomb Intermediate School District, MISD,
  Clinton Township, Michigan, April 1
• Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, Michigan,
  April 7
• Herlong Cathedral School, Detroit, Michigan,
  April 8
• Evergreen High School, San Jose, CA, April 8
• West Melbourne, Florida, April 8
• St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Houston, Texas,
  April 22
• Carman Ainsworth Junior High, Flint, Michigan,
  April 22
• Canton Charter Academy, Canton, Michigan, April
  29
• Woodland High School, Woodland, California, April
  29
• Erle Rivers School, Milk River, Alberta, Canada,
  April 29
• Ann Arbor Trail Magnet Middle School, Detroit,
  MI, April 29
• Sky Valley Education Center, Monroe, WA, April 29
• Robotech Center, Nashua, New Hampshire, May 7
• World Robofest, LTU, Southfield, Michigan, May 13

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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
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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
Senior Division
No Line
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7th Robofest 2006 Toxic Waste Cleanup Challenge
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7th Robofest 2006 Toxic Waste Cleanup Challenge
Resources

• Streaming Video on the web
• Mpeg file will be available soon on the web
• Game scenarios animations will be available on
  the web

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Toxic Waste Cleanup ChallengeJunior Division
The brightness of the competition area is unknown
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(No Transcript)
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2006 Game Rules

• Unknown missions will be unveiled right after
  opening ceremony. It may require physical
  interaction between two human players.
• 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

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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 2 extra points. (If there are two
  official playing fields, then two teams will get
  the extra points). The second match teams will
  get 1 point.

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Robot Specifications

• You must use only one (8 bit micro-processor
  based) robot controller for each robot.
• You may use any number of sensors / sensor types.
• You may use any number/type of motors/servo
  motors
• You may use any material to construct your robot.
  You may use tape, glue, bolts and nuts, etc.
• You may use any programming language we
  recommend an icon-based graphical programming
  language for the Junior division.

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Playing Field Construction

• Final shape, angle, and length will be unveiled
  on the competition day
• 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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Toxic Waste Cleanup Challenge - Senior Division
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Rules for Senior Division Same as the Junior
Division
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2006 Exhibition Competition

• Each team has complete freedom to demonstrate any
  type of autonomous robotics project
• Teams will have five minutes to explain and
  demonstrate their project
• Each team will answer one question from the
  Official
• Wireless host computer control is allowed
• Teams must bring all necessary materials such as
  music, display boards, easels, etc.

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Recommended topics for Robofest 2006 Exhibitions

• Practical Household robots
• Using data logging capabilities of robots
• Robot pets
• Robots for scientific experiments
• Practical robotic applications

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Judging and Prizes

• Everyone is the winner All students will receive
  medals and framed certificates
• 30 of the total number of teams at each Regional
  and International site will win large award
  trophies.
• Game Competition
• Performance Awards
• Presentation Awards
• Judges Awards
• Exhibition Competition
• Judges Awards

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Game Competition Judging Model
Inspection Judges (Working as a group)
Game Judges
Round 1
Round 2
Final
RCI teamID Score comments _____ ____
________ _____ ____ ________ _____ ____
________ Judges awards
m
1

• Performance awards (based on PSs)
• Judges Awards (based on RCI)
• Presentation Awards (based on PR)

World Competition Advancement list (based on
weighted overall data)
Score Keeper (in Excel)
n number of teams m number of official tracks
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Game Competition Performance Award Judging

• Game Competition Final Round Teams will be
  determined by the average of each teams first
  and second round scores.
• Game Competition Performance Winners will be
  decided by the average of their best two score.
  (The Final Round teams will have three scores, we
  take their best two scores to decide winners)

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Game Competition Judges Award Judging

• A team of judges inspects Robots and Program
  Codes. Inspection items are
• Program code structure and readability
• Adaptability
• Reliability
• Originality
• Creativity
• Functionality
• Durability
• New technologies used
• Inspection Judges work off Judging Rubrics that
  are not made public
• Presentation Awards are decided by the average of
  the scores by m Game Judges

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Exhibition Judging
Exhibition Judges (Working as a group)
teamID cat1 cat2 catn Score Comments _____
___ ___ ___ ____ ________ _____ ___ ___
___ ____ ________
(See Exhibition Competition Advancement Rules for
categories)
1
Score Keeper (in Excel)
Judges Awards
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World Robofest 2006 Championships

• Top Teams at each Regional and International
  Competition Site will qualify to move on to
  compete at World Robofest
• May 13, 2005 at Lawrence Tech in Michigan

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How Teams Advance to the World Robofest 2006
Championships

• We plan to invite 16 Junior Games Teams, 14
  Senior Games Teams and 10 Exhibition Teams to the
  World Robofest
• The total number teams advancing from each site
  will be decided in proportion to the number of
  teams registered at each site. This number will
  be determined after registration closes.

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Game Competition Advancement is Based on the
Following Data with Weights

• Average Performance score - 80
• Team Public Presentation and Answer of Question -
  10
• Robot Code Inspection and Team Interview - 10
• Finalist Teams will use the average of their
  best two rounds

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Exhibition Competition Advancement is Based on
the following data with weights

• Public Demonstration Performance (reliability)
  -35
• Originality (creativity) - 25
• Team Public Presentation and Answer of Question -
  10
• Source Code Inspection - 10
• Complexity and Number of Functions - 7
• Usefulness - 7
• New Technologies Used and Other Factors - 6

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Team Coaches

• Can be any teacher, school administrator, parent,
  college student, professor, technical specialist,
  or scientist/engineer eligible to coach.
• Email to the coach is the primary and official
  communication method between the team and the
  Robofest organizer.
• Coaches must agree to and abide by the 2006
  Coachs Pledge

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Roles of Coaches

• Responsible for facilitating and overseeing team
  members
• Recruit team volunteers including technology
  mentors
• Provide at least one 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 to submit
  at Competition check-in

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Robofest Teams

• Teams are comprised of two to seven members
• Teams may be formed from any type of
  organization, public school, private school, home
  school, civic group, neighborhood group, club,
  etc.

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How to Register Teams New Coaches

• Read 2006 rules
• Go to www.robofest.net from Wed. Dec.14th, 2005
• Submit the online form
• Confirm the registration at your email account
  If you do not receive a confirmation email,
  please contact chung_at_LTU.edu
• Team registration will begin tentatively on Jan
  5, 2006. Exact time will be announced by emails
  to registered coaches
• Log on the coach account
• Select one regional site
• Register team(s)
• Pay registration fee (35 per team) online using
  PayPal (or by sending a check)
• Upload team and robot photo, and update team info
  as necessary

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How to Register Teams Veteran 2003, 2004, 2005
Coaches

• Read 2006 rules
• Make sure your coach ID and password
• Team registration will begin tentatively on Jan
  5, 2006. Exact time will be announced by emails
  to registered coaches
• Log on the coach account
• Select one regional site
• Register team(s)
• Pay registration fee (35) online using PayPal or
  by check
• Upload team and robot photo, update team
  information as necessary

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Common Sense Rules for Education

• Construction of the robot and programming should
  be done by students only. Any direct
  participation of adults is a violation of the
  rules.
• Only team members will be allowed in the Team Pit
  area after the unveiling of the unknown mission.
  Coaches must receive Judging Proctor approval to
  enter the Team Pit area.

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Team's Responsibility on Robofest Day Prior to
Opening Ceremony

• All the teams must check-in by the time set by
  the host organizer. Usually 830am.
• Teams must use the team table assigned by the
  organizer. Please do not change the team tables
  judges may visit the team tables
• Game teams must have inspection before the
  competition begins. Submit the hard copy of your
  program to judges during the inspection

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Game Team's Responsibility During Competition

• In the competition round 1, Each team member must
  introduce her/his name, grade, and role using a
  microphone to Game Judges the public within 15
  seconds.
• Emcee will ask a question selected at random.
• The team needs to answer the question within 45
  seconds

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Exhibition Team's Responsibility During
Competition

• They will have 5 minutes for the presentation and
  robot demonstration of the project
• The 5 minute presentation must include the
  introduction of each team members role and
  accomplishments using a microphone to Judges
  the public
• After the demo, they will also answer a question
  from the Official they will have 45 seconds to
  answer.

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Age Division Waiver Requests

• Any exceptions to the Age Divisions must be
  submitted by the Team Coach in writing to
  Robofest for approval.
• Coaches must use the Age Division Waiver Request
  Form.
• Other team members and their parents must provide
  approval as well.
• Robofest will notify the result to the coach

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Things to bring on Robofest Competition Day

• 20 check-in fee (if required by the regional
  host)
• A laptop or PC 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 IR tower
  when downloading (Lego teams only)
• Extra batteries
• Signed Consent Media Release forms

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Rules for Video Submission Site

• Video Submission in both Games and Exhibition is
  available to teams who do not have a Robofest
  Competition in close proximity.
• When submitting video, the coach must include the
  signed submission form
• All videos must be postmarked by April 29, 2006.

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New Pilot ProgramCompetition Categories for 2006

• Digital Animation
• Digital Video Editing and Production
• Team Website Design
• Test programs for Robofest 2006
• recommended for students grades 9 -12.
• To register, you must submit the Robofest Pilot
  Program Registration Form. (No online
  registration)
• These categories are best for new teams who have
  interest in the above areas. (Teamwork of teams!)
• There are no 2006 registration fees for these
  pilot categories.

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Coach Team Resources

• Robofest provides free workshops at LTU for
  registered coaches and teams only.
• They will take place in January February,
• RCX Code, RoboLab, LeJos Java, and NQC, and Java
  for IntelliBrain-Bot.
• See tentative schedule in information packet.
• Plan to provide streaming videos of the workshops
• Robofest offers on-line resources to help teams.
• We plan to offer IM support, if there is a need
• Warm up competition

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New - Robofest Academy

• Pilot Program only for Metro-Detroit area
• Plan to expand to other areas
• Currently LEGO Mindstorms based, but plan to
  expand to other platforms
• 18 hour class
• On-site class
• www.robofest.net/academy

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Autonomous Robotics Classes for Educators

• In MET (Master of Educational Technology) program
  partnership with Mary Grove College
• 10 week schedule (3 credit hours)
• Mon 530pm-830pm (On campus)
• Wed 600pm-800pm (Online)
• The first class starts on Mon Jan 23rd
• Course fee 1,170 (after 708 scholarship)
• Registration admission fee, 201, waived

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How to Start a Team

• Ask us to give a presentation at your school
• Find students who may already has Lego Mindstorms
  or other robot kits at home
• Find parent volunteers who are interested in
  helping
• Multimedia tutorials available (LEGO Mindstorms)
  Learning by doing
• 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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Robofest Schedule

• Registration
• Coach registration open Dec. 14
• Team registration open Jan 5 (tentatively)
• January February Workshops for Teams
• March 18, Practice Warm-up Competition
• April/May Regional International Contests
• May 13, World Robofest Championships

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2006 Warm-up Competition

• Saturday, March 18 at LTU all Teams will need
  to pre-register with LTU.
• Any team, both Games and Exhibition
• Host organizers should attend (or watch video)
  for on-site practice
• Judges should attend for Practice Training
• Volunteers should attend for on-site practice

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Robofest Little Robots, Big Missions
Thank You