G'day to all RoboCuppers around Australia! We have another great year planned for you in 2008 and look forward to seeing you all at our events across the country. RoboCup Junior Australia is arguably leading the way in robotics for school-age students and with the introduction of our new challenges we know you'll be faced with some new situations and problems to work around! While more detail will appear during the year, here is some important news:
1) Rules: these have been reviewed by our Technical Committees for each division and are being finalised at present so they should appear here on our Web site very soon, but as a summary to get you going: DANCE has had a number of small changes made, mostly in the scoring system used. This year we will be looking even more for robots to be active and moving around the performance area rather than just showing small, repetitive movements. Please also be aware that where two (or more) performances are invited, the score used shall be the best of those two (or more).
The new RESCUE has received great reviews from participants! It is now a more difficult and variable challenge and more interesting for spectators. Rescue remains largely unchanged from the new 'tile' version introduced last year.
SOCCER is the big change! Visitors to the National Challenge on the Gold Coast last September would have seen a demonstration of 'GEN II' Ð our new and really exciting soccer challenge that will be taking the world by storm when it is (likely to be) introduced as the new international standard. GEN II is colourful, fast-paced and allows for greater control of robots. If you haven't seen the new challenge, go to http://www.deakin.edu.au/scitech/eit/robocup/GENII.php for videos and images and be ready to be impressed! Our volunteer workers, particularly Brian (Tommo) Thomas, have put an incredible amount of work into getting this event 'just right' so we know you'll enjoy it. There are numerous changes to the previous rules to take the new field and game play into account, so look out fore these. Which game do you play? Your STATE or REGIONAL Championships may offer the older grey-scale floor game as an introductory-level event, but each STATE will be focusing on GEN II as the new challenge. Be aware that if you are competing at the NATIONAL championship the ONLY soccer challenge offered will be GEN IIÉ.so get skilled!
2) GEN II competition fields are now available! Order a field through our Major Sponsor MTA by going to: their website - get access, then type in 'soccer field' and you can order straight from the Web page!
3) Speaking of ordering gear, there is marvellous news from MTA: ANYONE can order direct from them! Parents who would like to buy RCJA items, including the full range of LEGO, for their children to practice with can now purchase them directly instead of having to go through a school. MTA have also introduced 'Netstore' which means when you order items you see directly into their warehousing inventory, so if it shows five items available, you know there are five items available and it's not an out-of-date listing and you'll be put on back-order. What marvellous partners to have in RCJA!
4) We are again delighted to announce a fantastic Australian Open event for 2008, to be held on the weekend of 20th/21st September. This is our Australian National Championship event and features the cream of Aussie (and some invited countries) student roboticists. If you're passionate about robotics and enjoy mixing and sharing ideas with other students, youÕve just got to be a part of this! For 2008 the host city will be.....PERTH! Now, some of you Easterners may think it will be expensive to attend, but your wonderful committee have put in place some great help, so check this out:
Put all this together, and you can see what a beaut time we'll enjoy in the West. See you there!
Ian Maud:
Chairman,
RoboCup Junior (Australia)
icmaud@stpaulswgl.vic.edu.au