This document provides information about Robofest 2015, including an overview of the main competition categories (Game and Exhibition), open competition categories (Vision Centric Challenge, BottleSumo, Unknown Mission Challenge), and the process for qualifying for and advancing to higher levels of competition. It outlines the schedule, including qualifying sites, a Michigan championship, and world championship. Key details are provided about rules, robot specifications, scoring, and frequently asked questions.

1. 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

2. Welcome to Robofest 2015
Little 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
assistants
2

3. 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
3

4. 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
4

5. • 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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6. • Main Competitions
– Game
– Exhibition
• Other Open Competition Categories
– Vision Centric Challenge (Vcc)
– BottleSumo
– Unknown Mission Challenge (UMC)
2015 Season Opportunities
6

7. 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
7

8. 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
8
(*) World Robot Olympiad Open Category Connection
Team Registration Fee: $50

9. RoboBowl – 2015 Game
9
• Knock down 4 pins (water bottles) by bowling max.
7 tennis balls
• Measure the height of the black rectangle in
millimeters

10. • 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

11. • 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

12. • 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!

13. • 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
13

14. Playing Field Layout
14

15. Differences between Junior and Senior
age divisions
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16. Pin Setup
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17. Pin Setup – Another View
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18. Pin locator papers
18
Jr Sr
2015 2015

19. Black Rectangle Shape on a Paper
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20. • 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)
20

21. Scoring Sheet (1/2)
21

22. Scoring Sheet (2/2)
22

23. Q1. A bottle was knocked down or moved because it was hit by anther
bottle. Is that counted as “knocked down” or “moved”? Yes
Q2. 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)
23

24. 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)
24

25. 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? Yes
Q16. 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? Yes
Q18. The measurement is shown to Judge. Can they continue to
bowl? No. If you show the number, the game is over.
FAQ(3)

26. • 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
26

27. • 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
27

28. • 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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29. • 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
29

30. 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
30

31. 2015 Open Competition Categories
31

32. • 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

33. • 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

34. • 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

35. BottleSumo: Jr. vs. Sr. Division

36. • 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)

37. 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
37

38. 38
World Championship
Michigan
Championship
Michigan
Qualifiers
May 15-16, 2015
LTU, Michigan, USA
May 2, 2015
at 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 Exhibition
Open Categories
(VCC, BottleSumo, UMC)
International
VideoQualifier
US
Video
Qualifier

39. • 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
39

40. • 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
40

41. • 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
41

42. • 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
42

43. World Robofest Championship
43
• 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.

44. • 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
44

45. • 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
45

46. • 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
46

47. • 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
47

48. • 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
48

49. • 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
49

50. • 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
50

51. 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 team
6. 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
51

52. 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
52

53. • 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
53

54. • 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
54

55. • 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
55

56. • 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)
56

57. Thank you!
Send questions, comments, corrections, and suggestions to
robofest@LTU.edu
join the Robofest eNews list at robofest.net!