1 Robofest 2007 Informational Meeting Inspiring Young Minds to Master the Machine. Updated on Jan. 8, 2007

2 Welcome to Robofest 2007 Little robots, Big Missions Dr. David Bindschadler, Chair of Math / Computer Science Dr. CJ Chung, Founder and Director of Robofest, Associate Professor of Computer Science Mr. William Drummond, VITRC and LTU Online Ms. Lori Birman, Robofest Coordinator

3 Agenda Overview of Robofest 2007 Regional & International Competition Sites Robofest 2007 General Rules Robofest 2007 Game Rules Robofest 2007 Exhibition Rules Robofest 2007 VEX Pentathlon Rules Pilot Program Competitions for 2007 Rules for Video Submission Site Coach & Team Resources: Robotics Classes for Educators and Free workshops 2007 Schedule & Warm-up Competition Q & A

4 What is Robofest Annual autonomous robotics competition no joysticks or remote controls are allowed Students 5th - 12th grade Offers three major categories for teams to compete: Games Exhibition Vex Pentathlon Offers three pilot categories* for teams to compete: RoboSumo RoboFashionShow Collegiate Challenge – Mini Urban Missions

5 Robofest is growing Number of students participants

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

7 Game Competition Category Unknown Problems – Hands-on test Students are challenged to accomplish missions using two fully autonomous robots they have created and programmed to work cooperatively

8 Each team has complete freedom to show off any type of creative autonomous robotics project Exhibition robots have danced, played music, dressed in costumes, performed mathematical calculations, etc. Exhibition is limited only by the students imagination! New: Entrepreneur mindset is promoted Exhibition Competition Category

9 Age Divisions for Games & Exhibition Junior Division, open to students in 5–9 grade, easier problems, we suggest icon-based programming language Senior Division, open to students in grades 9–12, more difficult problem, we suggest programming language such as C or Java

10 Teams compete in 5 field events using autonomous VEX Robots VEX robots will sense and search for light and objects, navigate different paths, manipulate objects and pull loads Limited qualifying locations Age division for VEX: Senior (9-12 grades) recommended VEX Pentathlon

Robofest Qualifying and International Competition Sites ELPMIS International, Singapore, November 21-25, 06 Hanyang University, Ansan, Korea, Jan. 26, 07 Windsor Outlet Mall – Block Robotics Learning, La Salle, Ontario Canada, March 3. Manatee Elementary, Viera, Florida, March 10, 07 G.S. Lakie Middle School, Lethbridge, Alberta Canada, March 10 Delta College, University Center (Bay City) MI, March 17 University of Detroit Jesuit High School and Academy, Detroit, MI, March 23 St. Clair County RESA, Marysville, MI, March 24 Woodland High School, Woodland, CA, March 24 Sky Valley Education Center, Monroe, WA, March 24 Hill Country Middle School, Austin, TX, March 31 Macomb Intermediate. School District, Clinton Township, MI, March 31

Robofest Qualifying and International Competition Sites – Cntd Hillside Middle School, Northville, MI, March 31 Chayrl Stockwell Academy (RoboSumo only), Howell, MI, March 31 Video Submission Site – Submit Video by April 13 St. Matthew Lutheran Church, Houston, TX, April 14 Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor, MI, April 20 Canton Charter Academy, Canton, MI, April 21 Macomb Christian Schools, Warren, MI, April 21 Ann Arbor Trail Magnet School, Detroit, MI, April 21 Carman-Ainsworth High School, Flint, MI, April 22 VEX Pentathlon Qualifiers, LTU, Southfield, MI, April 27 Pilot Competitions of RoboSumo, RoboFashionShow, and Collegiate Mini Urban Challenge, LTU, Southfield, MI, April 27 World Robofest 2007 Championships, LTU, Southfield, MI, Saturday, April 28

13 World Robofest 2007 Championship on Sat. April 28, 07 Top Teams at each Regional and International Competition Site will qualify to move on to compete at World Robofest at LTU in Michigan Members of the top teams at the World Robofest Championship in Game, Exhibition, and VEX Pentathlon will receive $2,000 LTU Annual Renewable Scholarships

14 How many Teams Advance to the World Robofest 07 Championship Plan to invite 30 Game Teams, 15 Exhibition Teams, 8 VEX Teams, 8 RoboSumo Teams, 8 RoboFashionShow Teams, and some Collegiate Mini Urban Challenge teams to the Championship. 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.

15 How to Register Teams – New Coaches 1.Read 2007 rules 2.Go to 3.Complete/Submit online Coach Registration Form Confirm the registration sent to your address – If you do not receive a confirmation , please contact 4.Log onto coach account using your ID & Password (your web browser must accept cookies) 5.Starting in January, you can register teams & student names; you will select one qualifying competition site and one competition category per team 6.Pay registration fee of $40 per team (online) using PayPal or by sending a check to Robofest 7.Upload team and robot photo, and update team info as necessary

16 How to Register Teams – Veteran 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 Coaches 1.Read 2007 rules 2.Use your Coach ID and password from previous years. Contact if you have forgotten 3.Log onto coach account using your ID & Password 4.Starting in January, you can register teams & student names; you will select one qualifying competition site and one competition category per team 5.Pay registration fee of $40 per team (online) using PayPal or by sending a check to Robofest 6.Upload team and robot photo, and update team info as necessary

17 Team Coaches Can be any teacher, school administrator, parent, college student, professor, technical specialist, or scientist/engineer eligible to coach. to Coaches is the primary and official communication method between teams and the Robofest organizer. Coaches must agree to and abide by the 2007 Coachs Pledge

18 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

19 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. Teams can work in both the classroom and/or after school programs

20 Age Division Waiver Requests Any exceptions to the Age Divisions must be submitted by the Team Coach in writing to Robofest for approval using the Age Division Waiver Request Form. Other team members and their parents must provide approval as well. Robofest will notify the coach of approval or disapproval of request.

21 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 problem. Coaches must receive Judging Proctor approval to enter the Team Pit area.

22 Team's Responsibility on Robofest Day Prior to Opening Ceremony All the teams must observe the check-in times set by the host organizer for each site. Turn in your signed Consent & Media Release form for each participant Turn in $20 check in-fee if site requires Teams must use the team table assigned by the organizer. Please do not change the team tables. Note: No robot inspection or program code inspection for 2007

23 Things to bring on Robofest Competition Day A laptop or PC for each team A power strip and power cord Only for exhibition teams: poster boards to introduce the exhibition description and all the necessary materials for the exhibition. Cardboard box/garage to cover your robot and IR tower when downloading (Lego RCX teams only) Extra batteries Signed Forms & (Site Fee, if required)

24 Rules for Video Submission Participation by Video Submission is available for teams who do not have a competition site in closed proximity Available for Competition Categories of Game, Exhibition, VEX Pentathlon, and RoboSumo and RoboFashionShow. Coaches must register for the Video Submission Site on-line, pay $40 registration fee. Coach must submit signed Robofest Video Submission Form with the video, postmarked by April 13, (Additional details on the web.)

25 RoboTag 2000 FireFighter Race 2000 RoboMessenger 2001 RoboRescuers 2002 Previous Robofest Games

26 Mission Possible 2003 Unknown challenges introduced Earthquake Challenge 2004 RoboRelay 2005 Toxic Waste Cleanup Challenge 2006

27 8 th Robofest 2007: Miner Rescue Challenge Streaming Video on the web at Game scenarios animations on the web at

28 Miner Rescue Challenge The brightness of the competition area is unknown

29 Tunnel & Playing Field Setup: Tunnel will be located on the left-side straight line of the mine field from the ramp Exact location and the opening/orientation of the tunnel will be unveiled on the competition day (one of 4 possible cases). The orientation/location of the tunnel will be fixed for the day of competition. The tunnel is taped on the board completely. It should not move during play. A judge may need to hold down the mine structure if a robot is too powerful. 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.

30 Setup Balls (Miners) Placed by the judges right after the game starts. Exact location of each ball is unknown. No. 1 is placed somewhere on the black circle line (not on the curve, but on the straight line). No. 2 is placed somewhere in the center of the circle line, not on the black line. No. 3 is placed at one of the two corners decided by game MC. (The ball cannot be placed at the corner on the ramp. Placed not on the black triangle) No. 4 is placed somewhere inside the tunnel not on the black line. It is not touching the wall (Junior division).

31 Junior & Senior Division

32 First Round Game Procedures Unknown problems will be unveiled right after opening ceremony If your team has solved the unknown problem, and is ready to do the Miner Rescue game, come to the on-deck circle (staging area) with the robots only during the first round Each team member must introduce her/his name, grade, and role using a microphone to Game Judges & the public Introduce their Robot solution to find and rescue the trapped miner MC will ask a question selected at random; The team needs to answer the question within 45 sec Demo of the unknown problem MC will assign a competition track

Game Rules in Detail The successful rescue of a miner occurs when the ball touches or passes over the center black line on the base station with the robot. (no throwing allowed) 2 minutes per game are given 2 chances (rounds) are given for each team Only 2 players are allowed in the official playing field. Staring orientation can be any direction Robots can start at the same time and in any order, multiple times. The role of each robot is determined by the team students

34 In Case of Any Failure (when a robot goes crazy…) If a robot is touched outside the base area, the robot must be restarted from the base station. If the tennis ball was moved by the (crazy) robot, judges must reset the ball closed to original location, after two robots are back to the base station.

35 Robot Specifications: No size limitation as long as it stays alone on the base board. Only one robot controller (computer) 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. One robot must have a LCD to show at least 3 digits The robot must have a mechanism to store more than one program. (one for the game, the other for the UP)

36 Unknown Problem (UP) Details After opening ceremony, each team will be given a sheet with the description for the UP. The UP will not be a part of the game missions, but instead it will be a discrete task. One of the game robots should be used to show the problem. You will not need to make any mechanical changes to robot, assuming you are using a light sensor facing down and a touch on your robot. Bring both if you are not using!! Bring both if you are not using!! Especially for Senior Division, the UP will require a LCD to display at least 3 digits. The score and the rank of this UP will be used for tie-breaker.

37 Flash Extra Points for Unknown Problem (UP): The purpose is to encourage teams to try early! The team that solves the problem first time will get 3 extra UP points The team that solves the problem 2nd time will get 2 extra UP points The team that solves the problem 3rd time will get 1 extra UP points

38 Miner Rescue – Junior vs. Senior Division Everything will be the same, except the following: Senior Division Unknown Problem will be harder including a math related problem The 4 balls for Senior Division will be placed at more difficult locations. For example, at the corner in the tunnel, touching the wall is a possible difficult location.

39 Robofest 2007 Game Judging Simpler! No robot inspection No code inspection Introducing Unknown Problem (UP) May not be directly related to the game mission Can only be completed in First round No final matches Comprehensive score is based on Unknown Problem (UP) - 20% Oral Presentation (OP) – 10% Performance – 70%

40 Judging and Prizes: Everyone is the winner: All students will receive medals and framed certificates. 25% of the total number of teams at each qualifying site will win large trophies. Performance Awards Programming Awards Presentation Awards (Special) Judges Awards: Innovative solutions, best platform (if needed), etc. The tie breaker is the result and rank of the unknown problem A team will win only one award trophy

41 How Game Competition Judging is Scored: n: number of teams m: number of official tracks Score Keeper (Spreadsheet) Round 1Round 2 m Game Judges PR teamID Score _____ OP teamID Score _____ … UP teamID Score UP teamID Score … n n PS teamID Score PS teamID Score … PS teamID Score PS teamID Score … n Performance Awards Programming Awards Presentation Awards Judges Awards

42 Game Judging Criteria: Judges will check the following during the oral presentation which includes team and robot introduction & unknown problem demo Reliability Originality Creativity Innovative solutions Functionality New technologies used Durability …

43 Game Competition Oral Presentation (OP) Award Criteria (10% of the comprehensive score) Team introduction (10%) Robot introduction (10%) Answer a question (70%) Presentation delivery (10%) Eye contact Loud enough Clear Spoke extemporaneously Time used effectively Etc.

Exhibition Competition Exhibition team member must introduce her/his role and accomplishments using a microphone to Judges & the public They will have 4 minutes for the presentation and demonstration of the project. After the demo, they will also answer a question from the Official and they will have 45 seconds to answer. Wireless host computer control is allowed Teams must bring all necessary materials such as music, display boards, easels, etc.

45 Recommended topics for Robofest 2007 Exhibitions: Practical Household robots Using data logging capabilities of robots Robot pets Robots for scientific experiments Practical robotic applications Robotics for Entrepreneur Business

46 Exhibition Judging Score Keeper (in Excel) 1 Exhibition Judges (Working as a group) teamID Score comments _____ ____ ________ Judges awards Judges Awards Comprehensive Score is used to decide teams to advance 25% will win award trophies

47 Exhibition Competition Comprehensive Score is based on: 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 - 5% Usefulness / Practicality - 5% Entrepreneur ideas and mindset – 5% New Technologies Used and Other Factors - 5%

48 VEX Pentathlon Skeeball: to launch from a distance balls into the buckets for points Meter Dash: Robot runs 4 laps counter- clockwise around an oval track Tug of War: This event would pit one robot against another in a tug of war. Slam Dunk: To deliver softballs into 24 goal Bottle bowling: The robot pushes pre-arranged bottles off of a field Organized by Cranbrook Schools Online registration required

49 Pilot Competition Categories for 2007 RoboSumo RoboFashionShow Collegiate Challenge – Mini Urban Missions Special Competitions Digital Video Editing and Production (after World Robofest) Team Photo

50 RoboSumo Junior Division: 30 ring, max weight 1kg (2.2lb) Senior Division: 48 ring, max weight 2kg (4.4lb) Detailed rules is available at Online registration required TechClubs.org by Computer Challenge

51 RoboFashionShow A team of robots will use the whole stage to show off their costume, walk (driving), and performing dancing motions to music. Detailed rules on the web Online registration required

52 Collegiate Mini Urban Challenge Highschool Division Using L2Bot with a camera Detailed rules on the web Online registration required Registration fee $280 includes the L2Bot platform

53 Special Competitions: Team Digital Video Editing and Production Submit a digitally edited video journal of your 2007 team Submission form online No pre-registration is needed No registration fee Postmarked by May 10, 2007

54 Special Competitions: Team Photo Best team photo will be selected from the uploaded team photos. No registration is needed once team photo is uploaded Selection Criteria: showing team spirit, unity, harmony, and, uniqueness, etc. Time of photo uploading (earlier the better) All members are in the picture?

55 Coach & Team Resources Free workshops at LTU for registered coaches and teams only: in January & February NXT, RCX Code, RoboLab 2.5, LeJos Java, NQC, and Java for L2Bot. Check out On-line resources to help teams including some streaming videos of the workshops Autonomous Robotics Classes for Educators at Lawrence Tech

56 Autonomous Robotics Classes for Educators at Lawrence Tech Master of Educational Technology program Teaching Math and Science with LEGO NXT 10 week schedule (3 credit hours) Tue: 7:20pm-9:10pm (On campus) Thu: 7:20pm-9:10pm (Online) The first class starts on Tue Jan 23 rd Partial Scholarship available Planning 100% online class from Fall 2007

Robofest Schedule December Unofficial 2007 Rules announced Early January -- Official Rules posted in January on the Robofest website, date is TBD, but will be e- mailed to Coaches Early January - Coaches can register teams and select a competition location, exact date TBD January & February – Workshops for Teams March Warm-up Competition at LTU for new Teams, for Site Hosts and Judges March & April -- Regional Qualifying Competitions April 27 – Qualifiers for VEX & some Pilot Programs April World Robofest 2007 Championships at LTU Campus

Warm-up Competition: Saturday, March 10 at LTU – all Teams will need to pre-register with LTU. Any team, both Games and Exhibition, and possibly some pilot categories Host organizers should attend (or watch video) for on-site practice Judges and volunteers should attend for Practice & Training

59 Questions? Please Contact Us Visit Contact Dr. CJ Chung, Robofest Director, Lori Birman, Robofest Program Coordinator Phone: Visit us in our new location, M-219 of the Buell Management Building, LTU

60 Reordering Certificates and Trophies – A new service! to provide certificate re-printing services with minimum charge winner teams can order multiple trophies with individual names on a fee basis

61 Robofest Little Robots, Big Missions Thank you for Participating!