Thursday 26 March 2009

National Robotic Competition 2009 - General Rules


1.The competition rules of the 2009 National Robotics Competition are constituted by the organising committee of the National Robotics Competition (“the tournament” for short in the following paragraphs), and they apply to the tournament.

2.Regulations on materials used:
(a) Except for special designations in competition rules, materials used by the teams to assemble their robots must be from LEGO® Education products. The controller must be the RCX or NXT intelligent brick. The control program must be written using the ROBOLAB or LEGO® MINDSTORMSTM Education NXT software. Teams that use materials and control programs that are not certified by the tournament will be disqualified from the competition.
(b) Teams should prepare and bring all the equipment (software, portable computers, extensions wire, etc) that they need during the tournament. Teams should not use any flammable materials as part of their designs.
(c) Teams should be prepared for any event of accident or malfunction of their equipment. The organisers are not responsible for any maintenance and replacement of equipment. There will be a “Spare Parts Zone” in the competition area. After obtaining permission from the judges, contestants can go to the spare parts zone with the tournament officials to exchange equipment parts with their mentors, who are not allowed to enter the quarantine area, to give instructions or guidance to their teams.
(d) Batteries used during the competition can be 6 pieces of AA batteries or lithium batteries of LEGO® MINDSTORMSTM NXT. Other power supply devices which are not authorised by the organisers are not allowed to be used.
(e) Equipment parts used during the tournament cannot be finished or semi-finished components. Machine-like objects are disallowed in the competition.
(f) Teams are allowed to pre-program the in robot or store the program in the laptop prior to the competition.
(g) No screws, glues or tapes are to be used to fasten any components of the robot. Non-compliance with this rule will result in disqualification from the competition.
(h) Modification of any original parts, for example, RCX intelligent brick, NXT intelligent brick, motors, sensors, etc. is not allowed. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification.

3. Regulations concerning the robot:
(a) Except for special designations in competition rules, the amount of motors and sensors used during the competition are not restricted.
(b) Except for special designations in competition rules, any action or movement deemed as interference or assistance to the team while the robot is functioning is disallowed. Violation of this rule will result in disqualification from the competition.
(c) The use of radio communication, remote control and wired control systems to control the robot is not allowed. Violation of this rule will result in the immediate disqualification of the team from the competition.
(d) If the robot uses the NXT intelligent brick as its controller, the BluetoothTM function must be switched off.

4. Regulations on the competition event:
(a) Quarantine period: 90 minutes for the 1st quarantine and 30 minutes for the 2nd quarantine.
(b) Each competition consists of 2 matches with a 30-minute quarantine session (including downloading programs and exchanging parts) between the two matches. Ranking is based on the higher score of the two matches.
(c) Contestants can only start to assemble, program and test their robots after the announcement of the tournament. When the quarantine is over, all the robots must be put in the places designated by the tournament. The matches will begin after the quarantine verification conducted by the judges.
(d) Contestants should take good care of their robots to avoid malfunction. If programs cannot be downloaded to the robot due to ill-safekeeping, accidental bumping, falling or other causes, quarantine time will not be extended. Time extension may be given only in exceptional cases and if contestants express their requests with valid reasons to the judges on the spot. In other words, there will be no time extension if contestants fail to address their opinions to the judges or if their requests have been declined.
(e) When assembly time is over, neither modification (for example, downloading programs, changing batteries) of robot, nor request for time-out is allowed. In the case of a robot breaking down accidentally, the contestant may be given maintenance time by the judges to rectify the breakdown but the contestant is not allowed to add or reduce any parts, nor download any program.

5. Regulations on the playing field:
(a) Teams must assemble their robots in the area (each team has its own area) designated by the tournament. Only the contestants, NRC organising committee staff and special personnel are allowed to enter the competition area.
(b) All models and playing fields are according to the standard provided by the tournament on the competition day.

6. Regulations on behaviour:
Behaviours listed below are severely restricted and may result in disqualification:
(a) Causing damage to the competition playing fields, models or robots of other teams.
(b) Using dangerous items or behaviours that disrupt the competition.
(c) Using inappropriate words or behaving inappropriately towards other teams, audience, judges or the tournament.
(d) Creating situations which the judges deem unacceptable or interfering.

7. The judges have the utmost authority during the tournament. Their decisions shall be final and shall not be changed. As such, they may not change their decision even after viewing the competition video.

8. When a team is considered disqualified by any judge, the robot of the team concerned must quit the match immediately, and the team will receive no score for the match.

9. The tournament has the right to revoke the participation of any team if the team violates the rules.

10. Any communication devices and methods are strictly restricted while the competition is in progress. Anyone who is outside the competition area is prohibited from talking or communicating with the contestants in the competition area. Team(s) violating this rule will be disqualified and required to quit the competition immediately. However, under certain circumstances and with permission from the judges, an urgent message can be conveyed through a tournament staff.

11. If the competition is delayed due to electricity breakdown, unavailability of Playing Fields/models or incapability in determining the scores, the judges may hold a return game, and the contestants shall not raise any objection. If contestants have the opinion that the Playing Fields or models affect their score, they can address their opinion and request for a return game on the spot. The judges will then decide whether to hold a return game. Any opinions addressed after the competition will not be entertained. If a return game is held, the score shall be decided by the judges and shall be final even though the match may not be complete.

12. If contestants have any opinions or doubts, they must address them to the judges on the spot. The judges will then make an appropriate decision on them. Any opinions addressed after the contestants leave the playing field will not be entertained. If there is any disagreement concerning the rules, the final decision shall be made by the judges.

13. The organisers have the right to photograph and videotape the event and the rights to reproduce, modify and use the photographs and video tapes for various media. All team members shall not raise any objection to these rights.

14. If there is any inadequacy or alteration in the rules, the final decision shall be announced by the judges at the tournament. The judges have the utmost authority to amend the rules and regulations.

National Robotic Competition 2009 - Robot Recycling (Primary)


The robot must start from the start box and then move 3 types of waste at 3 different spots one by one, to the designated recycle boxes within 120 seconds.

There are 3 types of waste for the 3 recycle boxes:
(a) Paper for the Blue Recycle Box
(b) Aluminium for the Orange Recycle Box
(c) Glass for the Brown Recycle Box


Rules and Regulations

1. Each match will last 120 seconds.

2. The maximum stretched dimensions of the robot before it starts must be within 300mm × 300mm × 300mm. The maximum stretched dimensions of the robot after it starts can exceed 300mm × 300mm × 300mm.

3. The robot must start from the start box. Any part of the robot is not allowed to exceed the start box before it starts.

4. The 3 missions for the robot are to place 3 different types of waste into 3 different recycle boxes.

5. The location of the 3 types of waste will be announced before quarantine starts.

6. The robot is not allowed to take more than 1 type of waste at a time.

7. The robot is considered to have completed 1 round after it has placed the 3 different types of waste into 3 different recycle boxes.

8. Within 120 seconds, the contestants have to reload 3 types of waste into the 3 correct waste spots after the team has completed all the 3 missions.

9. The team can repeat the 3 missions as many times as possible it has completed each round.

10. The robot does not have to return to the start box after completing each round.

11. Restart :
(a) After the robot starts to move, if the contestant touches the robot, no matter where it is (even in the start box), the robot is considered STOPPED and it must immediately be returned to the Start Box.
(b) When reloading 3 types of waste into the 3 designated waste spots, if the wastes are placed into the wrong waste spots or partially outside the waste spots, the robot is considered STOPPED and it must immediately be returned to the Start Box.
(c) Restart MUST be done in the Start Box and the contestant is ONLY allowed to run the robot if it does not exceed the Start Box limits.

12 The operator needs to stop the timer when the team wants to stop the game.

13.The game is considered over if the robot is unable to finish the game or when time is up and the operator must power down the robot immediately for the judge to calculate the points.


Scoring

1. The points awarded are “mission points”, “time points” and “bonus points “. The operator has the option of choosing whether to gain more ”mission points“ by completing more rounds or to gain more “time points” by stopping after at least one round.

2. Mission Points are awarded as follows:
The robot places each type of waste inside the correct recycle box = 50 points.

3. Time points are awarded if the following conditions are fulfilled:
(a) At least 1 round is completed and the operator informs the timekeeper to stop the game.
The team finishes the match under 120 seconds.
Time points are calculated as follows:
Time points = (120 seconds – time taken in seconds)
Example:
The robot took 60.5 seconds to complete the game.
Time points = 120 seconds - 60.5 seconds = 59.5 points.

4. Bonus points are awarded if the following conditions are fulfilled: At least 1 round is completed.
Bonus points are calculated as follows:
Before the match starts, each team will be given 30 chips worth 10 points each. 1 chip will be taken away each time the game is restarted. At the end of the match, the remaining chips will be counted as bonus points to be added to the total.

5. Penalty points are calculated as follows:
25 points will be deducted if the waste is placed partially outside the recycle box.

6. The total score for the game is the sum of the “mission points” “time points” and “bonus points”.

7. Ranking is based on the higher score of the 2 matches.

8. In the event of a tie (when two or more teams have the same total score), ranking will be based on the robot’s weight. The lightest robot (including the batteries) will be the winner.

9. The term “incomplete game” is defined as follows:
An ‘incomplete game’ happens when the robot is unable to complete the game within 120 seconds. However, the robot can get “mission points” for its completed missions.


































                       

National Robotic Competition 2009 - Robot Planting (Lower Secondary)


The robot must start from the Start Box and carry 3 types of plants from the Start Box to the designated garden within 120 seconds.

1. The size of the green house box is 300mm X 300mm. There are 9 to 21 plants (trees, flowers and grass) in the green house.
2. The size of the garden is 170mm X 170mm. There are 6 gardens (3 gardens in the Recreational area, 2 gardens in the Industrial area and 1 garden in the Town area) in the playing field.



Rules and Regulations

1. Each match will last for 120 seconds, during which the robot must carry the various plants from the Start Box to the designated gardens and return to the Start Box autonomously.

2. The dimensions of the robot (including any extended part after any automatic transformation) must not exceed 250mm X 250mm X 250mm in size.

3. Before assembly time, the judges will announce the areas of the 6 designated gardens (tree garden X 2, flower garden X 2 and grass garden X 2) and the quantity of each plant in the green house.

4. Before the match starts, the robot must be in the Start Box. Any part of the robot is not allowed to exceed the Start Box before the match starts.

5. As soon as the match starts, the contestant will manually take a plant (a tree, flower or grass) from the green house and place it inside the Start Box for the robot. The contestant can only place one plant at a time.

6. The robot starts from the Start Box and carries the plant to the designated garden within the time limit. The robot can only carry one plant on each run.

7. At any time during the match, if any part of the robot (including its projections) is not on or above the black line, the judge will call out “miss-track”. Then, the robot must be returned to the Start Box immediately and the judge will return the plant to the green house before the match can resume.

8. Once the robot is outside the Start Box, the contestant is not allowed to touch it. If the robot is touched, the contestant must return it to the Start Box immediately and the judge will return the plant to the green house.

9. When the robot returns autonomously to the Start Box after placing a plant, the contestant can touch and adjust the robot in the Start Box as soon as the robot or any part of it touches the Start Box. 

10.Restart MUST be done in the Start Box and the contestant is ONLY allowed to run the robot if it does not exceed the Start Box limits.

11.If the robot does not finish the match or is unable to finish the match when time is up, the match is considered over. The contestant must shut down the robot immediately for the judges to calculate the points.




Scoring

1. The points to be awarded are “mission points” and “time points”. The contestant has the option to choose whether to gain more “mission points” by completing more missions or to gain more “time points” by stopping after at least one mission.

2. Mission points:
Scoring is according to the location of the plants after the contestant says “STOP” or time is over.
a) Each Garden in a different area is allocated different points. (Please refer to the competition field).
• Garden in Town area = 100 points
• Garden in Industrial area = 50 points
• Garden in Recreational area = 20 points
b) Each type of plant is allocated different points.
• Tree = 50 points
• Flower = 40 points
• Grass = 30 points
c) Mission points = The points for the Garden in a designated area + the points for the types of plants. The robot must place the plant completel inside tthe Garden area in order to get “mission” If the plant is placed partially inside the Garden area, it will get mission points but 10 points will be deducted.
d) Total mission points = sum of all the mission points

2. Time Points
The robot will get “time points” ONLY if it can finish at least one mission, return to the Start Box autonomously and the contestant says “STOP” to the judges within 120 seconds. If the contestant does not say “STOP” or if the judges do not see any signal from the contestant to stop the match, the match is still considered running.
Calculation of “time points” is as follows:
Time points = (120 seconds – time taken in seconds)
Example:
The robot took 60.5 seconds to complete the game.
Time points = 120 seconds - 60.5 seconds = 59.5 points.

3. The total score for the game is the sum of “mission points” and “time points”.

4. Ranking is based on the higher score of the 2 matches.

5. In the event of a tie (when two or more teams have the same total score), ranking will be based on the robot’s weight. The lightest robot (including the batteries) will be the winner.




                                Tree



                                Grass


                              Flower

Tuesday 24 March 2009

National Robotic Competition 2009 - Robot Energizing (Upper Secondary)


The robot must start from the Start Box and carry Coal, Biofuel and Solar Cell to the respective ‘Power Stations’ by avoiding the URANIUM and return to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) after the completion of the mission. The Robot can start its sub-mission ONLY after the main mission is completed.



Rules and Regulations

1. Each match will last for 120 seconds.

2. The maximum stretched dimensions of the robot before it starts must be within 300mm × 300mm × 300mm. The maximum stretched dimensions of the robot after it starts can exceed 300mm × 300mm × 300mm.

3. This match consists of 2 missions, which are the ‘MAIN MISSION’ and the ‘SUB-MISSION’. The ‘MAIN MISSION’ MUST be completed first before the ‘SUB-MISSION’ can be implemented.

4. MAIN MISSION – The robot MUST carry Coal, Biofuel and Solar Cell to the respective ‘Power Stations’ and avoid the URANIUM, and then return to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) after completion.

5. SUB-MISSION – The robot may reload objects to get bonus points.

6. The robot MUST start from the ‘FACTORY’. Any part of the robot must not exceed the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) limits BEFORE it starts. It must take the object from the ‘SOURCE AREA’ and move the object to a specific ‘POWER PLANT’. It MUST return to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) after completing the MAIN MISSION.

7. The robot is not allowed to take more than 1 type of object at a time.

8. The robot cannot touch or return to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) while carrying the object and a penalty will be given if the robot touches or returns to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box).

9. The main mission is considered COMPLETE if all the objects have been successfully placed inside the respective ‘POWER STATION’ areas.

10. RELOAD: The robot is allowed to start the sub-mission ONLY after its main mission is completed and the contestant ONLY reloads new objects in the ‘SOURCE AREA’ after all the ‘POWER PLANTS’ are loaded.

11. MISPLACE: When the robot places an object in the wrong ‘POWER PLANT’, the judge will return the object to the original location and no points will be given.

12. MISS OBJECT: When the robot misses the object outside the ‘SOURCE AREA’ during its operation, the judge will return the object to the original location and no points will be given for the repeated step.

13 Restart :

(a) At any time during the operation, if the robot is touched by the contestant, no matter where the robot is (except in the Start Box), it is considered STOPPED and the robot must immediately be returned to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box). 10 points will be deducted from the bonus points for every touch.

(b) When reloading new objects in the ‘SOURCE AREA’, if the objects are placed into the wrong ‘SOURCE AREA’ or partially outside the ‘SOURCE AREA’, the robot is considered STOPPED and it must immediately be returned to the Start Box.

(c) Restart MUST be done in the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) and the contestant is ONLY allowed to run the robot if it does not exceed the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) limits.

14. After the mission is completed successfully, the robot is allowed to continue its mission to get bonus points if the time limit is not over. However, the contestant may say ‘STOP’ if he she does not wish to continue.

15.The term ‘incomplete mission’ or GAME OVER is defined as follows:

(a) The robot cannot finish the main mission when the time is up. In this situation, the robot can get mission points for its finished mission but CANNOT get time points.

(b) If the robot carries the ‘URANIUM’ out of the box completely, ‘GAME OVER’ will be announced.

(c) If the robot cannot finish any single mission when the time is up, it will get 0 points.

16.The contestant with the highest point is considered the winner. In the event of a tie, the lightest robot will win the competition.


Scoring

1. Mission points:

(a) Move objects = 10 points
Each object is worth 10 points once it is moved out of the ‘SOURCE AREA’. The object must be COMPLETELY out of the ‘SOURCE AREA’ for the robot to be awarded point.

(b) Move the object to the specified ‘POWER STATION’ = 20 points
Each object is worth 20 points once it is moved to a specified location. The object must be in the ‘POWER STATION’ for the robot to be awarded points. The contestant may repeat the movement before time is over.

(c) Return to ‘FACTORY’ = 10 points
The robot will be awarded 10 points when it returns successfully to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) ONLY after the MAIN MISSION is completed. 0 points will be given if the robot returns to the ‘FACTORY’ without finishing the MAIN MISSION.

(d) Penalty
i) Any part of the moved object exceeds the border line of the designated area (‘POWER STATION’) – minus 10 points
ii) Any part of the robot touches the URANIUM – minus 10 points.
iii) When the robot touches or returns to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) while carrying the object – minus 10 points


2. Time Points

The robot will get time points ONLY if it can finish the MAIN MISSION, returns to the ‘FACTORY’ (Start Box) and the contestant says ‘STOP’ to the timekeeper. If the contestant does not say ‘STOP’ to the timekeeper or if the timekeeper does not see any signal from the contestant to stop the match, the match is still considered to be running and the contestant might lose points.
Calculation of the team’s time points is as follows:
Time points = (120 seconds – time taken in seconds)
Example:
The robot took 60.5 seconds to complete the game.
Time points = 120 seconds - 60.5 seconds = 59.5 points.

3. Bonus points

Within 120 seconds, if the contestant wants to repeat the mission, bonus points will be given. 100 points will be given automatically to the autonomous robot. 10 points will be deducted when each the following conditions occur:
a) At any time during the operation, the robot is touched by the contestant (except in the Start Box).
b) When reloading new objects in the ‘SOURCE AREA’, the objects are placed into the wrong ‘SOURCE AREA’ or partially outside the ‘SOURCE AREA’.




                              Biofuel



                                 Coal



                            Solar Cell



                            Uranium

Tuesday 17 March 2009

National Robotic Competition 2009 - Open Category

Open Category (Artist Robot)

Rules and Regulations

1. Each team should comprise 3 students with 1 teacher as their mentor.

2. A team/student may only participate in either the Regular category OR the Open category, and not both.

3. The competition will be categorised into 3 different age groups:
(a) Primary School (7 - 12 years old)
(b) Junior High School (13 - 15 years old)
(c) Senior High School (16 - 18 years old)

4. Teams participating in this event will work to create robots based on the theme “Artist Robot”

5. There is no restriction on the use of non-LEGO® materials. However, the final project must include at least 50% of LEGO® materials and must be operated or controlled by the RCX intelligent brick or NXT intelligent brick.

6. Only the official LEGO® Education programming languages in any version, for  example,RoboLab® and LEGO® NXT Education Software, are allowed to be used.

7. The robots may be pre-assembled and the software program may be pre-programmed.

8. The size of the whole project, including booth decorations, must not exceed 2 meters X 2 meters X 2 meters.

9. The team should decorate the booth with at least one poster, not less than 150cm height X 100cm width, introducing the project together with a video clip.

10. Each team will undergo the following:
(a) Test and assemble the final robot at a designated location.
(b) Decorate the booth with posters or anything that is related to the theme.
(c) Demonstrate the project to the judges.
(d) Participate in a ‘Question and Answer’ (Q & A) session with the judges.

11. A written report summarising the whole project must be submitted to the judges during the set-up time. The descriptions must be supported by pictures showing different angles of the robotic creation and examples of the program.

12. In the 10-minute session with the judges, 5 minutes will be given to the team for demonstration and 5 minutes for a Q & A session with the judges.

13. Criteria for judging are as follows:
(a) Creativity and Originality
- Theme conformity
- Appearance, uniqueness and interactive behaviour
- Artistic or creative with a positive impact on judging
- Meeting the theme well with unique materials
(b) Technical Functionality
- Engineering and stability
- Repeatable movements
- How well the robot functions for its purpose
- How well the robot has been built as designated
- How well the robot operates as designated
(c) Presentation and Team Work:
- Clear demonstration and explanation by the presenters
- Project documentation/written report
- Problem-solving skills
- Knowledgeable on all aspects of the project
- High team spirit in creating the design and building the project
- Were the previous documents for submission substantial
- Does the presentation express the team’s intention?
- Does the robot harmonise with the builder
- Does the video highlight the artistic performance of the robot in
a clear and interesting way



Content Sample of the Project Documentation

1. Acknowledgement.

2. Project Mission, Vision & Objective

3. Particulars on team members and mentor

4. Introduction to the project in detail

5. Synopsis of the project
(a) Background
(b) Robot functionality
(c) Uniqueness and interactive behaviour

6. Designing and Building Process
(a) Concept and Implementation
(b) Brainstorming and solution to the problem
(c) Engineering and stability of the structures
(d) Pictures of the project (at each stage).
(e) Final model and pictures depicting different angles
(f) Related charts

7. Programming (Official LEGO® Education Programming Languages only)
(a) Concept
(b) Brainstorming and solution to problem
(c) Printed programming with explanations

8. Appendices
(a) Interviews
(b) Gantt chart
(c) Softcopy of the whole project (report, program, slide show and video clip)