1. STAGE.
1.1. Size.
1.1.1.
See also Appendix 1.
Robots that move outside
the marked boundary of the performance area
are not disqualified, but will receive a score penalty. Human
performers may be outside this marked area.
Any performance involving a height greater than 4m vertically from the
stage floor must be discussed with the judges and permission sought.
The boundary of
the performance
area will be marked with a 50mm
black tape line, surrounded by a 20mm red
tape line.
This will enable programming to be used to identify
which side of the boundary a robot finds itself.
The floor provided shall be made of
matte white linoleum. Teams are encouraged to practice on the
same flooring type to reduce set-up time at the International
competition. While floor joints will be taped to make them as smooth
as possible, robots must be prepared for irregularities of up to 3 mm
in the floor.
1.1.2.
The dance stage will be made available for teams to practice on. In
fairness to all teams who may wish to practice, a booking sheet will
be used to reserve the stage for short periods of time.
1.2. Lighting.
1.2.1.
The organisers may make variable lighting including spotlights
available, but teams should not expect the performance area to always
be able to be darkened, with direct, intense spotlights available.
(Hint:
It is recommended that teams design their robots to cope with
variations in lighting conditions, as lighting naturally varies from
venue to venue. I f necessary, teams should come prepared to calibrate
their robots based on the lighting conditions at the venue.)
1.3. Scenery.
1.3.1.
Teams are encouraged to provide their own scenery.
Organisers will endeavour to provide a projection
screen and projector for teams wishing to use images from a digital
source (e.g., computer) at the rear of the performance area as part of
their performance.
2. ROBOTS.
2.1. Size.
2.1.1.
Robots may be of any size.
2.2. Team.
2.2.1.
There may be any number of robots on a team.
2.2.2.
Each team may perform one and only one routine, though the performance
of that same routine will be repeated if they proceed to the finals
for their division. See also 4.4.2.
2.3. Control.
2.3.1.
Robots must be controlled autonomously. No member of the team may make
physical contact with the robot while it performs, unless this forms
part of the performance and has been discussed and approved by the
judges PRIOR to the performance. Robots must also be 'wirefree' in
that they must not be connected to a computer or other management
device while performing.
2.3.2.
Robots may be started by humans, either manually or with remote
control. See also 6.1.3.
2.4. Costumes.
2.4.1.
Costumes for robots and/or human performers are encouraged, and will
be awarded points.
3. ROUTINE.
3.1. Duration.
3.1.1.
Each team will have a total of 5 minutes for their
performance.
NOTE that this time includes the time for set -up, a possible and
encouraged introduction and the performance,
including any re-starts due to factors under the
team's control. It does not include time needed for packing up and
clearing the stage.
3.1.2.
The duration of a performance routine is no more than two (2) minutes
and no less than one (1) minute.
3.1.3.
If a team exceeds the time limits explained in 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 in any
way by reasons that are their only fault, it will be penalized in
assessment.
3.2. Music.
3.2.1.
Teams must provide their own audio source in a Compact Disc (CD-R,
CD-RW) in one of the following formats:
Audio track;
MP3 file;
These will be the only accepted audio sources with one (and only one!)
file or audio track for the entire routine.
Music should be given to the sound technicians at
least two hours prior to the start of the tournament.
3.2.2.
Teams are strongly encouraged to bring a good quality audio source,
since their evaluation depends also on the music quality.
3.2.3.
The music should commence at the beginning of the audio source, after
a silent leader of a few seconds.
3.2.4.
The audio source should be clearly labelled with the team's name.
3.3. Humans.
3.3.1.
Human team members may perform along with their robots, and will be
considered a 'prop.' There is no penalty for humans not performing
with their robots.
3.3.2.
However, human team members must not touch the robots (except to start
them). See 2.3.1.
3.4. Start of Routine.
3.4.1.
An official will start the music for the routine.
3.4.2.
One human team member will start each robot, either by hand or remote
control.
(Hint: Teams are very strongly encouraged to program their robot to
begin the routine a few seconds after the music starts. This is
because it is extremely difficult to judge precisely when the music
will sound after the audio source is started, and it is hard to time
the robot's choreography without knowing exactly when the music will
begin. Also, depending on the configuration of the dance stage and the
sound system at the venue, it is possible that the human starting the
robot will not be able to see the official starting the audio source;
and vice versa. Teams should come prepared for these conditions.)
3.5. Re-starts and repeats.
3.5.1.
Teams are allowed to restart their routine if necessary, at the
discretion of the officials. Any re-start, unless due to a problem
which is not the fault of the team, will result in a score penalty. A
maximum of two re-starts will be allowed.
3.5.2.
Teams are allowed to repeat their routine, at the discretion of the officials.
3.6. Security.
3.6.1.
In order to avoid hazardous situations such as routines including
explosions, smoke or flame, each team whose routine includes any
situation that could be deemed hazardous must submit a report to the
chief judge before the competition, outlining the content of their
dance routine. At his/her discretion, the Chief Judge could request a
demonstration of the activity. Teams not conforming to this request
may not be allowed to present their routine, at the discretion of the
Chief Judge.
4. JUDGING.
(Refer also to Appendix 2)
4.1 Authenticity and Originality.
4.1.1.
All teams will be assessed their performance of a
dance routine. Each team's overall score will be decided by the total
of their (best) performance.
4.1.2.
The performance is to be unique. Teams who, in the
opinion of the judges, have knowingly produced duplicate robots,
costume or performance movement (duplicate music is allowed) may be
interviewed by a panel of Dance officials. Penalties for close
duplication of another team range from a possible 10% score penalty to
a maximum penalty of exclusion from the competition.
4.2 Officials.
Refer to Appendix 1.
4.3. Categories.
Refer to Appendix 1.
4.4. Awards
Refer to Appendix 1.
4.5. Collegiality.
Refer to Appendix 1.
5. CREATIVITY.
5.1.
The Dance challenge is intended to be very open-ended!
Teams are encouraged to be as creative and
entertaining as they can. Teams who show creativity and innovation
will be rewarded by the judges with high point scores in the relevant
sections.
6. CODE OF CONDUCT.
6.1. Fair Play.
6.1.1.
Humans in any way that cause deliberate interference with robots or
damage to the stage will be disqualified, if part of a team. If not
part of a team they will be ask to leave the venue.
6.1.2.
The team is responsible for removing all debris left from their
routine that may interfere with the performance of subsequent
activities.
6.1.3.
While performing, any robot on stage may communicate
with another robot from the same team that is also on stage. Teams
should take great care that their use of devices with infrared (IR)
communication (such as the Lego RCX) does not affect other teams.
An exception to this rule is if the communication involves radio
frequencies. No team is permitted to use radio signals as part of
their performance or preparation, as this may interfere with robots in
other leagues.
6.1.4.
It is expected that the aim of all teams is to participate in a fair
and clean competition.
6.1.5.
Remember: "Help those in need, as tomorrow it could be your team
needing help!"
6.2. Behaviour.
6.2.1.
All movement and behaviour is to be of a subdued nature within the
tournament venue.
6.2.2.
Competitors are not to enter set-up areas of other leagues or other
teams, unless expressly invited to do so by team members.
6.2.3.
Participants who misbehave may be asked to leave the building and risk
being disqualified from the tournament.
6.2.4.
These rules will be enforced at the discretion of the referees,
officials, conference organizers and local law enforcement
authorities.
6.3. Mentors.
Refer to Appendix 1.
6.4. Sharing.
6.4.1.
An understanding that has been a part of World RoboCup Competitions is
that any technological and curricular developments should be shared
with other participants after the competition.
6.4.2.
Any developments may be published on the RoboCup Junior Web site after
the event.
6.4.3.
This furthers the mission of RoboCup Junior as an educational initiative.
6.5. Spirit.
6.5.1.
It is expected that all participants, students and mentors, will
respect the RoboCup Junior mission. In addition, participants should
keep in mind the values and goals of RoboCup Junior. Any presentations
that include violent, military, threatening or criminal elements will
be excluded. Any team using an inappropriate name or logo will also be
excluded. Participants are asked to carefully consider the wording and
messages communicated in their presentations: what seems acceptable to
them may be offensive to friends from a different country or culture.
6.5.2.
The referees and officials will act within the spirit of the event.
6.5.3.
It is not whether you win or lose, but how much you learn that counts.
You will really lose if you don't take this opportunity to fraternize
with students and mentors from all over the world. Remember this is a
unique moment!
7. DOCUMENTATION.
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