Robofest 2007
Informational Meeting
“Inspiring Young Minds to Master the Machine.”
Updated on Jan. 8, 2007
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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
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Agenda
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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
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What is Robofest
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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
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Robofest is growing
Number of students participants
900
800
700
600
500
400
300
200
100
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2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
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Goals of Robofest
• To spark young students' interest in
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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
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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
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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, dressed in costumes, performed
mathematical calculations, etc.
• Exhibition is limited only by the student’s
imagination!
• New: Entrepreneur mindset is promoted
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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
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VEX Pentathlon
• 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
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2007 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
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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
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2007 Robofest Qualifying and
International Competition Sites – Cnt’d
• Hillside Middle School, Northville, MI, March 31
• Chayrl Stockwell Academy (RoboSumo only), Howell, MI, March
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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
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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
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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.
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How to Register Teams – New Coaches
1. Read 2007 rules
2. Go to www.robofest.net
3. Complete/Submit online Coach Registration Form
Confirm the registration email sent to your email
address – If you do not receive a confirmation email,
please contact LBirman@LTU.edu
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
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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 LBirman@LTU.edu if you have
forgotten them.
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
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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 Coaches is the primary and official
communication method between teams and
the Robofest organizer.
• Coaches must agree to and abide by the
2007 Coach’s Pledge
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Roles of Coaches
• Responsible for facilitating and overseeing
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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.
• Teams can work in both the classroom
and/or after school programs
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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 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.
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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 problem. 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 observe the check-in times
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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
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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)
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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, 2007. (Additional details on the web.)
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FireFighter
Race
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RoboTag
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RoboMessenger 2001
Previous
Robofest
Games
RoboRescuers
2002
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Earthquake
Challenge
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Mission
Possible
2003
Unknown challenges
introduced
RoboRelay
2005
Toxic Waste Cleanup
Challenge 2006
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8th Robofest 2007: Miner Rescue
Challenge
• Streaming Video on the web at
www.robofest.net
• Game scenarios animations on the web at
www.robofest.net
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Miner Rescue Challenge
The brightness of the competition area is unknown
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Tunnel & Playing Field Setup:
• Tunnel will be located on the left-side straight line
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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.
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Setup Balls (Miners)
• Placed by the judges right after the game starts.
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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).
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Junior & Senior Division
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First Round Game Procedures
• Unknown problems will be unveiled right after
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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
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2007 Game Rules in Detail
• The successful rescue of a miner occurs
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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
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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.
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Robot Specifications:
• No size limitation as long as it stays alone on the
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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)
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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!!
• 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.
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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
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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.
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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%
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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
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How Game Competition Judging is
Scored:
Game Judges
PR
OP
teamID
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Score
teamID
Score
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_____ _____
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_____
_____ _____
Round 1
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UP
UP
teamID
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PS
PS
teamID
Score
Score
Score
Score
teamID
n
m
Performance Awards
Programming Awards
Presentation Awards
Judges Awards
Round 2
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PS
PS
teamID
teamID
teamID
n
Score
Score
n
Score Keeper
(Spreadsheet)
n: number of teams
m: number of official tracks
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Game Judging Criteria: Judges will check
the following during the oral presentation which
includes team and robot introduction & unknown
problem demo
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Reliability
Originality
Creativity
Innovative solutions
Functionality
New technologies used
Durability
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Game Competition Oral
Presentation (OP) Award Criteria
(10% of the comprehensive score)
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Team introduction (10%)
Robot introduction (10%)
Answer a question (70%)
Presentation delivery (10%)
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Eye contact
Loud enough
Clear
Spoke extemporaneously
Time used effectively
Etc.
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2007 Exhibition Competition
• Exhibition team member must introduce her/his
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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.
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Recommended topics for
Robofest 2007 Exhibitions:
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Practical Household robots
Using data logging capabilities of robots
Robot pets
Robots for scientific experiments
Practical robotic applications
Robotics for Entrepreneur Business
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Exhibition Judging
Exhibition Judges
(Working as a group)
teamID
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Score comments
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Judge’s awards
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Judges Awards
Comprehensive
Score is used to
decide teams to
advance
25% will win award
trophies
Score Keeper (in Excel)
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Exhibition Competition
Comprehensive Score is based on:
• Public Demonstration Performance (reliability) •
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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%
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VEX Pentathlon
• Skeeball: to launch from a distance balls into
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the buckets for points.
1600 Meter Dash: Robot runs 4 laps counterclockwise 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
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Pilot Competition Categories for
2007
• RoboSumo
• RoboFashionShow
• Collegiate Challenge – Mini Urban
Missions
Special Competitions
• Digital Video Editing and Production (after
World Robofest)
• Team Photo
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RoboSumo
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Junior Division: 30” ring, max weight 1kg (2.2lb)
Senior Division: 48” ring, max weight 2kg (4.4lb)
Detailed rules is available at www.robofest.net
Online registration required
TechClubs.org by Computer Challenge
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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
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Collegiate Mini Urban Challenge
Highschool Division
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Using L2Bot with a camera
Detailed rules on the web
Online registration required
Registration fee $280 includes the
L2Bot platform
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Special Competitions: Team Digital
Video Editing and Production
• Submit a digitally edited video journal of
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your 2007 team
Submission form online
No pre-registration is needed
No registration fee
Postmarked by May 10, 2007
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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?
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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 www.robofest.net
• On-line resources to help teams including
some streaming videos of the workshops
• Autonomous Robotics Classes for Educators
at Lawrence Tech
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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 23rd
• Partial Scholarship available
• Planning 100% online class from Fall 2007
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2007 Robofest Schedule
• December 14 -- Unofficial 2007 Rules announced
• Early January -- Official Rules posted in January on
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the Robofest website, date is TBD, but will be emailed to Coaches
Early January - Coaches can register teams and
select a competition location, exact date TBD
January & February – Workshops for Teams
March 10 -- 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 28 -- World Robofest 2007 Championships at
LTU Campus
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2007 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
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Questions? Please Contact Us
• Visit www.robofest.net
• Contact Dr. CJ Chung, Robofest Director,
Chung@LTU.edu
• Lori Birman, Robofest Program
Coordinator LBirman@LTU.edu
Phone: 248-204-3566
• Visit us in our new location, M-219 of the
Buell Management Building, LTU
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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
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Robofest
Little Robots, Big Missions
Thank you for
Participating!
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