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5th Annual

Robofest 2004Informational Meeting

Jan. 17, 2004

Chan Jin ChungLawrence Technological

University

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Agenda

• Introduction to Robofest, • 2004 Rules, • 2004 Competition Rules and • 2004 Game Demos. • 2:30am: “Lego Robot Programming

with Java” using Eclipse environment (about 30 min)

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What is Robofest•An annual autonomous robotics

contest for 5th - 12th grade students in two playful ways: Competitions - A team of students

competes to accomplish robotics missions requiring multiple robots.

Exhibitions - Each team has complete freedom to show off creative autonomous robotics projects.

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Goals of Robofest• To spark young students' interest in

science, engineering and technology • To challenge the science and engineering

skills of students• To promote students' creative and

innovative thinking • To recognize students' achievements • To promote good teamwork and work

ethics • To provide workshops and technical

support in autonomous robotics • To build the work force of the future

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Divisions

• Competition 2 Lego Robots with RCX code or RoboLab Advanced Robot: 2 robots using high-level

languages such as C, PBasic, C++, or Java

• Exhibition Lego Robots with RCX code or RoboLab Advanced Robot: any robots using high-

level language such as C, PBasic, C++, or Java

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Unique Features of Robofest I• Emphasis on learning computer technologies• The dimension of the competition playing field

is unknown. • Even a part of the competition problem is

unknown until the competition day• Focuses on students' learning - No direct

adult help is allowed. • Competition requires multiple robots per

team• Freedom of using robotic platforms • Freedom of choosing programming languages• They may use any actuators and sensors.

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Unique Features of Robofest II• Affordable - registration is free; $20

Check-in fee• Free technical workshops for teachers,

coaches, and all participants • It is simple, easy, modular, portable and

affordable to set up playing fields of which materials can be reused every year

• Everyone is a winner: a personalized certificate in a frame and a medal/trophy to every registered student; Big trophies to winning teams in many categories

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Unique Features of Robofest III• National champion teams are to be

announced after the competitions from all Robofest sites around the nation.

• No papers: Coach registration at www.robofest.net

• (Plan) Robotics in Technology Education Conference for school teachers and parents

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1st Robofest, 2000

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2nd Robofest, 2001

Registration had to be closed early…Handy Board Division for High School Teams was introduced

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3rd Robofest, 2002

Robot cooperation. Lego robots with Java

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Robofest 2002 Challenges:RoboRescuers

• Construct two robots, to save Lego citizens trapped in a burning building.

• The robots interact with each other to transfer the oxygen masks and use “robotic strength” to remove the wall that blocks the victims.

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Robofest 2002 Challenges:RoboRescuers, Advanced Div.

• Any robot programmed with High-level programming languages

• Must blow out the fire! – 20 points• The location of the birthday candle light is

unknown

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Robofest 2003 Competition

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Robofest 2003 becomes a national contest• Nashua New Hampshire• Detroit• Southfield

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Robofest 2003 StatisticsRegistered Teams

Teams Competed

Number of Contestants

LTU 74 59 228

Detroit 12 11 50

Hollis, NH

15 12 27

Total 101 82 305

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Lego Robot National Champion• 64-1, Comets, Christ The King School,

Windsor, Canada. • They completed the robotics mission

all the time. • Four 100 points out of 4 runs (Flash,

2nd, Semi Final, and Final). • Average time to complete: 87.68

seconds.

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Advanced Robot National Champion • 72-3, Robokids, Farmington Harrison

High School, Michigan • They got two 100 points out of three

runs (2nd, and Final round). • They were using Handy Boards with

Interactive C programming language• 55.75 seconds from the final was the

world record so far

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What’s New in Robofest 2004• $20 Check-in fee per team• Team and robot photo uploading• One volunteer to setup/cleanup • Announcement of National Champion

on Robofest day at LTU• No predetermined order of

competition• Poster board per team• Certificate frames only for students

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Rules

• www.robofest.net

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Earthquake Challenge Demo• Ali Khazaal

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Robofest 2004

• Still looking for hosting sites in other States or Countries

• “Easy to host”

• See you on April 24, 2004

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Why Java?

• Write once, run anywhere• Professional OO software

development• AP exam from C++ to Java, 2004-

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Introduction to Lego programming with Java using Eclipse Environment• Jason Lo

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“Robotics is a wonderful motivator in science and engineering education”

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10101010Thank You