Kick-off Info Meeting

This Power Point Presentation file can be found at www.robofest.net under “What’s New Section”

16th 2015

V1.21 1/15/15

Welcome to Robofest 2015Little robots, Big Missions

• Dr. CJ Chung, Prof. of Computer Science, Founder and Director, chung@ltu.edu

• Dr. Chris Cartwright, Associate Prof. of Math

• Dr. Joe DeRose• Dr. Fred Brauchler• Dr. Kurt Meister• Prof. Keith Bozin• Prof. Maurice Tedder• Prof. Jon Ruszala• Many other LTU professors

• Lynn Garrison, Coordinator• Teri Dubois, Associate

Coordinator• Chris Parker, Program Assistant• Marilyn Weisman, MCS Dept.• David Carbery• Gordon Stein• Levi White• Chris Suchezky• Colin Ross• Many other LTU student

assistants2

I. Overview

II. Rules for each Main Competition category

III. Intro to Open Competition categories

IV. 2015 Registration

V. Schedule

VI. Q & A

Robofest 2015 Kick-off Informational Meeting Agenda

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Robofest’s mission is to•Inspire K-16 students for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), •Develop creativity and problem solving skills, and •Prepare them to excel in higher education and technological careers.

Robofest Mission Statement

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• Autonomous – Sensors required• Challenging - dynamic playing fields, unknown factors,

and no direct adult help allowed • Any robotics system • Affordable (reusing old kits; reg. fee: $50)• Pre and Post Assessments (on-line)• Qualifying Competitions, Michigan Championship &

World Championship• Age Divisions

– Jr. Division: 5th – 8th (in spring 2015)

– Sr. Division: 9th – 12th (in spring 2015)

• Variety of competition categories for more opportunities in STEM learning

Features of Robofest

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• Main Competitions– Game– Exhibition

• Other Open Competition Categories– Vision Centric Challenge (Vcc)– BottleSumo – Unknown Mission Challenge (UMC)

2015 Season Opportunities

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I. Overview

II. Rules for each Main Competition category

III. Intro to Open Competition categories

IV. 2015 Registration

V. Schedule

VI. Q & A

Robofest 2015 Kick-off Info Meeting Agenda

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Competition Category

Age Division

Team Size

Robot Unknown factors

Game – RoboBowl

Jr. & Sr. Max 5 Any Yes

Exhibition(*) Jr. & Sr. Max 5 Any No

Main Competitions

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(*) World Robot Olympiad Open Category Connection

Team Registration Fee: $50

RoboBowl – 2015 Game

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• Knock down 4 pins (water bottles) by bowling max. 7 tennis balls

• Measure the height of the black rectangle in millimeters

• http://youtu.be/LJ0afkDSuZA

• Or go to www.robofest.net and click on “Game” link• More animation videos covering error cases will be

available on the Game page soon.

2015 Game “RoboBowl” Animations

• 7 tennis balls (modification not allowed) & 2 min per round• The robot can carry (play) only one ball at a time. • Once the ball is released, it cannot be (re-)moved by anyone.• The ball is manually loaded by a human player only when the

robot is at Home Base.• Players may touch/modify the bot when it is on or over the HB• The robot cannot physically touch the “No Robot” zone, Part of

the robot may hover above the “No Robot” zone, as long as it does not touch the table surface.

• Robot must return to Home Base after each bowl, to get the next ball.

• The robot is required to display the height x of the black rectangle printed on the letter size paper in millimeters on LCD panel after the game is over.

RoboBowl Rules

• Human contact with the official playing field materials, other than balls at Home Base

• Human contact with the robot at any point on table other than Home Base

• Robot falls off the table (Any part of the robot is touching the floor)

• If any part of the robot touches the “No Robot” zone. The black tape itself is not regarded as No robot Zone.

• The ball was released when any part of the robot was touching the “No Bowl Zone”, near Home Base. The black tape itself is not regarded as No Bowl Zone.

• Any attempt to knock down pins other than bowling the tennis ball. For example, air.

If any of the following violation occurs, a ball is removed & marked as dead. Restart at Home. The clock does not stop!

• Playing field configuration including box size may be different for each round.

• Teams will be given 30 minutes after unknown factors are unveiled and the Emcee shall announce the following: No adult is allowed in the pit area…

• All teams must submit their robot to the impound area when 30 minutes has expired.

• After impounding, the judges will re-setup tables.• Winners in each age division will be decided by the average

Final Score of the 2 rounds. Tie breakers will be: (1) best Final Score of two rounds, (2) rerun, if needed.

Rules to Play Two Rounds and Determine Winners

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Playing Field Layout

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Differences between Junior and Senior age divisions

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Pin Setup

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Pin Setup – Another View

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Pin locator papers

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Jr Sr

2015 2015

Black Rectangle Shape on a Paper

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• Robot may expand to bowl the ball. However, it still must fit in within a box with 35cm x 35 cm base (height of the measuring box is unlimited) when fully expanded.

• Height and weight limitation: none • Any number of sensors/sensor types (unless it is harmful

to humans) • Any number/type of motors/servo motors (multiplexor is

OK to use) • Any material/robot kit may be used to construct your

robot including tape, glue, bolts and nuts, rubber bands, etc.

• Team ID tag on top of the robot is required.

Robot Specifications (For both Junior and Senior Division)

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Scoring Sheet (1/2)

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Scoring Sheet (2/2)

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Q1. A bottle was knocked down or moved because it was hit by anther bottle. Is that counted as “knocked down” or “moved”? YesQ2. A ball was released or dropped in the No Bowl Zone. What should Judge do? It is a violation! Judge will announce the ball as dead, remove the ball, and ask the team to restart with a new ball.Q3. A ball was released when the robot was touching the No Robot Zone and a bottle was knocked down. What should Judge do? It is a violation! Judge will announce the ball as dead, remove the ball, reset the bottle, and ask the team to restart with a new ball.Q4. The robot fell off the table while holding a ball. What should Judge do? Violation! Judge will take the ball and announce the ball as dead, and ask the team to restart with a new ball.Q5. The robot without a ball fell off the table when it comes back to Home Base. What should Judge do? Violation! Judge will take one ball and announce the ball as dead, and ask the team to restart with a new ball.

FAQs (1)

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Q6. A human player touches the robot with a ball outside Home Base. What should Judge do? Violation! Judge will take the ball and announce the ball as dead, and ask the team to restart with a new ball.Q7. A human player touches the robot without a ball outside Home Base. What should Judge do? Violation! Judge will take a ball and announce the ball as dead, and ask the team to restart with a new ball.Q8. There was a violation, but there is no ball alive. What should Judge do? Judge will ask the team to restart. (The team may try the rectangle shape height reporting)Q9. Can the height of the rectangle shape be measured more than once? Yes. But it should be reported only once at the end of the game. Q10. A ball hits and moves a bottle but does not knock it down. Can the team request the reset of the bottle? No. Q11. Is there any penalty if the robot hits the “wall”? No.

FAQs (2)

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Q12. Will the Judge give a starting orientation for the robot? No. The robot can use any orientation.Q13. A ball was dropped on “Bowl Zone” or “No Robot Zone”. Is the ball removed? No, Judge will not remove the ball, since it is not a violation.Q14. What happens if your robot can’t come back Home Base? A player can pick up the robot. But violation will be announced.Q15. Can the robot just stop after the last bowl and display the value? YesQ16. Can multiple programs be used? Yes. But the program selection must be done only at Home.Q17. Can the robot be repaired at Home Base? YesQ18. The measurement is shown to Judge. Can they continue to bowl? No. If you show the number, the game is over.

FAQ(3)

• Complete freedom to show off any type of creative intelligent robotics project - Robotics Science Fair

• Recommended Theme for 2015: Natural Resource Exploration - Using robots to help humans explore for natural resources in hazardous environments - WRO 2015 Theme

• Must employ sensors• Human to Robot, Robot to Robot interaction strongly

encouraged• Sharing online videos (such as YouTube) is highly

recommended

Exhibition Competition Category

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• An Exhibition team can be an WRO USA Open Category, if the team meets the following criteria– Must use the WRO 2015 Theme: Natural Resource Exploration– NXT or EV3 controller should be a part of the project– WRO Age Rules

• Elementary: up to 12 years old in 2015• Junior High: 13 to 15 years old in 2015• Senior High: 16 to 19 years in 2015

• Dr. CJ Chung, WRO USA Director will select and invite Exhibition teams to WRO USA Final

New! Exhibition Competition & WRO Open Category

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• Visit www.robofest.net and click on Prior Years, then Prior Year Exhibitions.

• Videos and pictures• All the top winners since 2002

Exhibition Example Projects

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• View the Exhibition Judging Rubric online by going to www.Robofest.net → Exhibition

• The application of math and science theories which are appropriate to the team members’ age level is a strong plus for judging. Not appropriate to the age level is OK, but it may not give any advantages for the judging.

• One member team is allowed, but will get lowest score for teamwork

Exhibition Judging

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I. Overview

II. Rules for each Main Competition category

III. Intro to Open Competition categories

IV. 2015 Registration

V. Schedule

VI. Q & A

Robofest 2015 Kick-off Info Meeting Agenda

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2015 Open Competition Categories

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• Open competitions - do not require a qualifying competition

• Competitions will be held during World Championship, May 15-16

• First come, first served. Space is limited. Register and pay registration fee early! Registration will open in late March.

2015 Open Competition Categories

• Vision based Robot navigation challenge for advanced high school/college

• Open event, does not require a qualifier • Rules: www.Robofest.net → Vcc• 2015 challenge: Find the max waypoint and spin

twice, then find the min waypoint and stop.

Vision Centric Challenge (VCC) - MinMax

• Be the first robot to push intentionally a bottle off the table OR be the last robot remaining on the table.

• Open event, does not require a qualifying competition• www.Robofest.net → BottleSumo

BottleSumo

Jr. Division Sr. Division

BottleSumo: Jr. vs. Sr. Division

• Open event, does not require qualifier• Jr and Sr divisions• Missions are completely unknown until day of

challenge• NXT or EV3 only• All robot components must be un-assembled at the

beginning of the competiotion• UMC Rules: www.Robofest.net → UMC

Unknown Mission Challenge (UMC)

I. Overview

II. Rules for each Main Competition category

III. Intro to Open Competition categories

IV. 2015 Registration & How to advance

V. Schedule

VI. Q & A

Robofest 2015 Kick-off Info Meeting Agenda

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World Championship

Michigan Championship

Michigan Qualifiers

May 15-16, 2015 LTU, Michigan, USA

May 2, 2015at LTU

US (Non-MI)

Qualifiers

US (Non-MI) Screening •Game by scores at Qualifiers•Exhibition by submitted Video (due April 18)International

Qualifiers

Game or ExhibitionOpen Categories(VCC, BottleSumo, UMC)

International Video Q

ualifier US Video

Qualifier

• Complete list at robofest.net → Registration• United States: MI, HI, TX, FL, IN, CA, IL, OH, WA, …• International: Canada, India, Korea, Mexico, South

Africa, France, …• Video Submission Site (see next slide)• Early date qualifying sites will advance more teams

than later date sites!• Still accepting site host applications - Email

robofest@ltu.edu

2015 Qualifying Sites for Game/Exhibition

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• Video Submission in Game and Exhibition is available to teams who do not have a Robofest Qualifier in close proximity

• Game teams: contact robofest@ltu.edu prior to the submission to get unknown factors

• When submitting a video, the coach must include the signed submission form available http://www.robofest.net/2015/VideoSubForm15.pdf

• All videos must be received by Sat. April 11, 2015, Noon EDT • Email the video link to robofest@ltu.edu is the preferred method• Site IDs to register

– USA Video Qualifier: USA_Video_Qualifier– International Video Qualifier: International_Video_Qualifier

Submitting a Qualifier Video: US Teams outside MI & International teams

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• Medals and Certificates will be mailed to each coach

• Winners will be decided by Judges appointed by Robofest office

• Winner’s trophies will be shipped to the coach

Recognition of Video Submission Teams

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• To be held at LTU on Sat., May 2, 2015• Top teams from each Michigan qualifying

competition will advance to Michigan Championship

• Open category competitions (BottleSumo, UMC, and VCC) will NOT be part of MI Championship, only World Championship

Michigan Championship

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World Robofest Championship

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• Lawrence Tech University, Southfield, MI on May 15-16, 2015

• BottleSumo and UMC will be held on Friday May 15 (Open competition categories)

• Game, Exhibition, Vcc will be held on Saturday May 16

• World Conference integrated on STEaM Education through Robotics (WISER) will NOT be held this year.

• Winners of the US Non Michigan Qualifying competitions will compete for an invitation to the World Championships

• Winning Exhibition teams must submit a video of their robot exhibition by April 18, 2015 by emailing video link to robofest@ltu.edu

• Game scores will be submitted by site hosts• Teams winning an invitation to World Championships will

be notified by Robofest World Headquarters April 25, 2015

Non Michigan Teams – How to advance to the World Championship

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• A team picture needs to be uploaded within 3 weeks after the team registration and at least 10 days prior to the competition.

• Selection criteria: team spirit, unity, harmony, uniqueness, etc.

• Winners will be announced during the World Championship

Team Photo Contest

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• Can a coach register multiple teams at a site: Yes• Can a coach using one coach ID to register teams

in multiple sites? Yes• Can a student be a member of multiple teams?

–Yes, but not the same category–For example, a student can participate in Game

as well as BottleSumo• Can a team, for example a Game team, register at

multiple sites? No

Registration FAQ

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• 21 days (3 weeks) before the competition date• If a division at a site does not have 5 teams or

more, teams registered at the site may be moved to another site; or teams can enter via video submission

Registration Deadline

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• Any teacher, school administrator, parent (not necessarily from a school), tech specialist, or scientist/engineer is eligible to be a coach.

• Coaches must be adults without criminal record.• Please note: email is the primary and official

communication method between the team and the Robofest organizer.

• Coaches must agree to and abide by the 2015 Coach’s Pledge

Becoming a Team Coach

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• Recruit team volunteers, including tech mentors and assistant coaches, if needed

• Find sponsors• Facilitate team meetings• Enter/update the team data and upload team & robot

photos• Collect Consent & Release forms to submit at all event

check-ins• Coordinate online pre & post assessment

Roles of Team Coach

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• Coaches must submit the Age Division Waiver Request Form by email or fax, if there is any age exception.

• Robofest will return the form to the coach with approval or disapproval.

• Usually, playing up from Jr to Sr is permitted.

Age Division Waiver Requests

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1. Read 2015 rules; if you are a returning coach, go to 4 below.

2. Go to robofest.net, click on Coach Login, and submit New Coach Registration form

3. Confirm the registration at your email account – If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact robofestoffice@gmail.com

4. Log on to the coach account at robofest.net 5. Select a competition site and a category per team6. Register team(s)7. Pay registration fee online using PayPal (or send a check)8. Upload team photo; update team info as necessary

Steps to Register a Team

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I. Overview

II. Rules for each Main Competition category

III. Intro to Open Competition categories

IV. 2015 Registration

V. Schedule & Misc.

VI. Q & A

Robofest 2015 Kick-off Info Meeting Agenda

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• Dec 4: Rules announced & posted on the web; Team registration begins

• Early January: finalization of Rules; watch for eNews announcement. Join eNews list at robofest.net

• Jan ~ Feb: 2015: Technical workshops, On-site workshops

• Feb 21: Warm-up at LTU (Judge Training)• Mar ~ early Apr: Qualifiers, post assessment• April 11: Video Qualifier deadline• April 18: Video Screening deadline• May 2: Michigan Championship• May 15-16: World Robofest Championship

2015 Main Season Schedule

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• Dec 6, 9am~4pm: Vcc L2Bot workshop• Feb or March, 9am~4pm: Vcc L2Bot workshop• Webinars for RoboBowl Game: Mid Jan and Early Feb• RoboBowl Game workshops at LTU: Jan 17, 24, 31,

and Feb 7 (repeated)• BottleSumo workshop: Early April• Tentative Schedule under “What’s New” at

www.robofest.net

On campus workshops are only for registered and paid teams

Workshops

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• Robofest office M219 in Jan ~ Feb.o $20 (without table)o The kits consists of 4 bottles, 7 tennis balls, wood

wall, foil tape, letter papers, and dual locks• robofestoffice@gmail.com

Robofest Office will ship RoboBowl Game kits for each official host site (as listed in site host agreement)

RoboBowl Game Field Kits will be available for purchase

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• Pre-survey: Instructions will be emailed to coaches in January.

• Post-survey: After the qualifier, instructions will be emailed to coaches in early April.

• We need control groups (non Robofest students). If interested, please email chung@ltu.edu

Online Surveys for Math and Science (anonymous)

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Thank you!

Send questions, comments, corrections, and suggestions to robofest@LTU.edu

join the Robofest eNews list at robofest.net!