From: mwtilden@math.uwaterloo.ca (Mark W. Tilden)
Subject: As seen in Sci Am and EE Times, The Robot Olympic Games:
Keywords: build something.
Organization: University of Waterloo
Distribution: ont
Date: Mon, 31 Aug 1992 22:07:20 GMT



An update on:

   The Second BEAM Robot Olympics and Micromouse Competition:

                      Ontario Science Centre,
                     Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
                        Apr 22 - 25, 1993


                          Sponsored by:
  IEEE Canada, VSPANS Robotics, and the University of Waterloo.


The  BEAM Robot Olympics is not so much a series of technological
competitions  as  a chance for robot enthusiasts to present their
designs   to   each other, the press, and the public.  It is also
an open forum for anyone who wants to get started in the field to
compete  and  compare.  Any and every robot will be considered so
long as it does not come exclusively from a kit or store.  Robots
of  similar  ability  will be pitted against each other in simple
competitions,  but generally robots will be judged on sophistica-
tion  of behavior, novelty of design, efficiency of power source,
and quality of hardware innovation.

Basically, if you built it, we'd like to see it.

The  BEAM  Olympics main events are (but not limited to) the fol-
lowing:


      SOLAROLLER: A self-starting robot dragster race.
      PHOTOVORE:  Robots face a closed "world" and each other.
      HIGH JUMP:Robot creature leaps, lands on feet.
      ROPE CLIMBING: First up, first down, self-starting.
      LEGGED RACE: Walking creatures run for the money.
      INNOVATION MACHINES: Electronic chopsticks, for example.
      ROBOART/MODIFICATION: Mechanical/electronic aesthetics that move.
      ROBOT SUMO: Push/Bash an opponent out of a ring.
      LIMBO RACE: How low can you build?
      NANOMOUSE: A smaller and simpler form of the...
      MICROMOUSE: Where metal mice race for aluminum cheese.
      AEROBOT: 3D robot flying challenges.


The  Robot  Olympics  thus  features  eleven  formal competitions
which   range in difficulty from simple to complex.  To this end,
there is  a guide available  which  contains  competition  rules,
"get-started" instructions, discussion into the  new  science  of
Artificial  Life  (Alife), and full  information  for anybody who
might want to run their own BEAM Robotic Games.

Fresh  copies  of the Guide are available now at a cost of $10.00
Cdn,  $15  American  [US funds], and $20 international [US funds]
for   cost   of  copying  and  postage.   Please  make cheques or
money-orders   payable   to  BEAM Robotics Inc.   Competitors are
asked  to  register   and   fill out a "behavior sheet" for their
robot(s)  and more  competitions will be run based on the variety
of  robots who do  show  up.   Those in a class by themselves are
still  eligible  for   major   awards,   and  everybody  will  be
included in the subsequent BEAM Olympic portfolio, documentaries,
and videos.

All venues are open to the interested, young or old, so grab your
soldering  iron, raid the junk pile, and we'll see you there.

For  more  information  on the BEAM Robot Olympics, other robotic
competitions, and weird robotics in general, contact:


               BEAM Robot Olympics
               c/o: Mark W. Tilden
               MFCF, University of Waterloo
               Ontario, Canada
               N2L-3G1
               (519)885-1211 x2454

               E-mail: mwtilden@watmath.uwaterloo.ca


The  rest  of  this  article  concentrates  on general competitor
guidelines  and  the entrance form.  If you want to be put on the
real-mail  list, please complete and send in the entrance form by
real-mail.  If  possible,  include  a picture of your competitor.
Updates and  further  details  will be  posted  to this and other
relevant newsgroups as they become available.

        -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Rules and General Guidelines:

These  are  the  rules  and  guidelines for the Second BEAM Robot
Olympic  Games.  Although the spirit of these Olympics stress few
formal  restrictions,  these are some guidelines which every com-
petitor should follow.  If a design does not fit these parameters
or  may  but you're not sure, please contact the organizers for a
ruling.   Consideration  will be given to very innovative or ima-
ginative  designs.   The  BEAM  Olympics  is meant as an informal
meeting  of  mind and robo-critter with the public and the media.
It is hoped that everyone will abide by this spirit.

All those wishing to compete should fill out and send in a regis-
tration  form  for all robotic competitor(s) before Monday, April
5,  1993  to  be  included  in the show dossier.  Entries will be
allowed after that, but they will not make that years dossier.  A
copy  of  the  registration  form is included at the back of this
post.   All  who register  will be put on a mailing list and kept
informed of upcoming events.


GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ROBOTIC COMPETITORS:

-  All  robotic devices must be either entirely custom built or a
heavily  modified toy.  No commercial, store bought or kit robots
will  be allowed without heavy physical modification (modified or
improved  software  is  not  sufficient  modification).   "Heavy"
defined   as   permanent  structural/electronic  additions  which
extend, replace or enhance a functional aspect of the device (ie:
replace  batteries with solar engine, add functional arms, inter-
face  a unique touch/vision system, etc.).  Any devices made from
commercial  construction kits (ie: Lego, Mecanno, etc.) must also
feature  obviously  non-commercial,  custom  elements to indicate
sufficient intent of innovation.

-  All robotic entries should be self-contained or have an option
where  they  can  execute  behavior  without  human intervention.
Tele-operated mechanisms are allowable only if it is obvious they
have  been  designed  around some BEAM competition guidelines, or
are  for some autonomous task-oriented purpose (ie: tele-operated
moon rover with retrieval claw).  Commercial radio controlled kit
models  will  not  be  allowed  unless they have undergone severe
technical modifications.  Devices which do not feature some auto-
nomous ability are allowed, but will loose critical style points.

-  Any robotic entry may be disqualified if too large (ie: bigger
than  a  standard upright refrigerator). The sole reason for this
is  that  display  space,  access  doors,  and power are limited.
Exceptions  may be granted for exceptional, self-powered entries.
Please contact the organizers for a ruling.

-  Any  robotic  competitor  which is obviously of mass-produced,
commercial  manufacture  and/or  performs an obviously commercial
task  shall  be disqualified as a competitor.  We don't want this
to  be  a blatant advertising opportunity for major corporations,
that's  what  trade shows are for.  Corporate research and design
prototypes  are  the  exception  but  they must be represented by
their  designer at the competition, not by the corporation.  How-
ever,  robotics  companies are allowed to hand out cards, flyers,
posters, and device specifications.

-  If  a robotic entry must use wall current, it can use only one
plug  at a nominal amperage (120 VAC, 3 Amps maximum drain).  Any
robot  which  uses  a  combustion process will be discouraged for
safety  reasons,  and  will not be allowed to run inside the com-
petition auditorium.

-  For  the  most  part, no "violent" robotic competitors will be
allowed;  that is, no competitor may have a functionally destruc-
tive  capacity  (ie:  drills,  cutters,  soldering  iron,  flame-
thrower,   chainsaw,   etc.)   although  decorative  or whimsical
elements   along this line are allowed (ie: waterpistols).  Like-
wise,  any   robotic  competitor which may damage the competition
courses,  other robot competitors, organizers or audience will be
disqualified.    Robotic   competitors  may  interfere  with each
other  during the  course  of simultaneous runs (where rules per-
mit)  so  long  as  they  do  not  violate  the "no damage" rule.
Anybody  who  justly  feels  his/her  device  could be damaged by
another  entrant  will not suffer  penalties  for  not  competing
in that trail.  Likewise, entrants  who accept that their designs
could  suffer  major  damage  will   also   be   respected   (ie:
No-holds-barred Robosumo).  BEAM Robotics   and  affiliates  take
no   responsibility   for   damage  incurred   by or afflicted on
robotic  devices,  persons,  or  reputations during the course of
competition.

-  No robotic competitors can employ biological components (rats,
chickens,  lemon/potato batteries, jello, etc.) except by special
permission  from  the  organizers.  Even then, no devices will be
allowed which harm biologics in any way.

-  Multitalented robotic competitors are encouraged, however such
capabilities  must  be declared ahead of time on the registration
form as part of the robot's behavior description.

-  Partially  finished  robotic  competitors  are  allowed  (even
encouraged) to compete so long as there is some function they can
exhibit to show what they may eventually be capable of.

Again,  if  you  are  in  doubt as to the validity of your entry,
please  contact  the  organizers  directly  at  the University of
Waterloo.   Exceptions  will be made for particularly imaginative
entries.

Is all.


-- 
Mark Tilden: _-_-_-__--__--_      /(glitch!)  M.F.C.F Hardware Design Lab.
-_-___       |              \  /\/            U of Waterloo. Ont. Can, N2L-3G1
     |__-_-_-|               \/               (519)885-1211 ext. 2454 
"MY OPINIONS, YOU HEAR!? MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"