From: mwtilden@math.uwaterloo.ca (Mark W. Tilden)
Subject: International Robot Olympics Update
Keywords: she's a comin'
Organization: University of Waterloo
Date: Sat, 23 Jan 1993 03:31:10 GMT



A detailed update on:

   The Second BEAM Robot Olympics and Micromouse Competition:

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


                          Sponsored by:
IEEE Canada, ITRC, OSC, VSPANS Robotics, and the Un. of Waterloo.


Yow!  Only  three  months  away!  International!  Non-commercial!  
Won't rot your teeth!

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.


REMEMBER:

Although you may register up to the first day of competition (Sat), please
send in your registration form if you are competing.  Registration rates are
$40, $20 for students with valid student card, and $15 for IEEE members.
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(s).

If you are competing but "just haven't got around to sending in your
form", please send E-mail to confirm a display table at the show.  Please
indicate your power requirements and number of tables and chairs.  Poster
areas, secure display cases and presentation electronics can be made 
available on request.

An entrance form is included at the end of this document.  Please fill out
and send in by re-mail.  Must be signed to be valid.


TRAVEL/ACCOMODATION ASSISTANCE:

There are some fixed funds for travel/accomodation assistance for competitors.
Valid applicants may be reimbursed up to 50% of their travel and/or 
accomodation costs, with preference going to student competitors with 
operational devices.  Applicants must provide receipts showing expenses.


HOTELS:

Hotels close to the Ontario Science Centre.  Bookings must be made
by competitors.  A group rate will be arranged based upon the number 
who call in to each hotel:

Ramada Renaissance Don Valley
185 Yorkland Blvd.
Willowdale, Ont.
M2J-4R2
416/485-2693
$70-$85/night.

Sheraton East Toronto Hotel & Towers
2035 Kennedy Road
Scarborough, Ont
M1T-3G2
416/299-1500
$65-$90/night.

Prince York Hotel Toronto
900 York Mills Road
Don Mills, Ontario
416/444-2511
$85-$90/night.


SHOW STRUCTURE:

The show is currently organized as follows.  Please note that lecture,
video and demonstration schedules will not be posted until the start of
the show, pending the number of people who wish to talk.  All competitors 
will receive a finalized show schedule when they confirm registration 
in person at the Science Centre during the week of the show.

THUR    - Lectures, testing, setup, press.

FRI     - Lectures, testing, setup, opening ceremonys.

SAT     - Major competitions and demonstrations begin.

SUN     - Major competitions close, award ceremonys.


ABSTRACT:

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: Build a self-contained, flying dive-bomber.


The Robot  Olympics  features a  decathlon of 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.


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.



ENTRANCE FORM:

BEAM Robot Olympics and Micromouse Competition:
April 22-25, 1993

This form must be signed and returned by all members who wish to 
attend the show.  All robot competitors must have a separate 
registration form.  A clear color or black and white photograph 
(ideally 4"x6") of each competitor is politely requested for the 
Olympic Dossier.  All photos become the property of the Olympics 
organizers and cannot be returned.  All who register will be put 
on a mailing list and kept abreast of upcoming international events.

The registration fee is $40 per attending entrant per team ($20
per student entrant with proof).  Any team may enter as many robots
as they wish.  The fee must be paid by cheque or cash on or before
the day of competition.  Please make out all cheques to the BEAM Robotics.
If you do not register in advance, you can register on the day of competition
(up to noon of Sat, April 24, 1993), however, you must pay the registration 
fee to compete even if you do not attend the entire conference.

Any prizes awarded must be accepted as given. No cash substitutes, exchanges,
or device warrentys will be honored by the Olympic organizers.

Good luck and hope to see you there.

Please return to:

                        BEAM Robot Olympics
                        Attn: Mark Tilden
                        MFCF, University of Waterloo
                        Ontario, Canada
                        N2L-3G1
                        (519)885-1211 x2454

                        Internet: mwtilden@math.waterloo.ca 


TEAM MEMBER DETAILS:
(If more team members, please copy as necessary)


Team Name (if applicable): _____________________________________


Name _________________________________________________ Age _____

Address: Street/apt/town _______________________________________

Country/Zipcode ________________________________________________


Name _________________________________________________ Age _____

Address: Street/apt/town _______________________________________

Country/Zipcode ________________________________________________


Name _________________________________________________ Age _____

Address: Street/apt/town _______________________________________

Country/Zipcode ________________________________________________


Name _________________________________________________ Age _____

Address: Street/apt/town _______________________________________

Country/Zipcode ________________________________________________


Institute Name (if any): _______________________________________


If you are active on Internet, please enclose your electronic 
mailing address:

Internet E-mail Address: _______________________________________


ROBOT COMPETITOR DETAILS:

Name _________________________________________________ Age _____

Behavior (please use point form):_______________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________


Please check which BEAM event your entrant may qualify for:


                           ___     SOLAROLLER
                           ___     PHOTOVORE
                           ___     HIGH JUMP
                           ___     ROPE CLIMBING
                           ___     LEGGED RACE
                           ___     INNOVATION MACHINES
                           ___     ROBOART
                           ___     BEST MODIFIED TOY
                           ___     ROBOT SUMO
                           ___     NANOMICE
                           ___     MICROMOUSE
                           ___     AEROBOT

If none of the above, please state what skill best describes your
device: 

__________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________


Do you wish to give a lecture on your device or some related aspect?

yes ____
no  ____


If yes, please describe your topic in two sentences:

Topic:   _______________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________

Speakers:_______________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________

         _______________________________________________________



What extra equipment will you need?

TV                              ___ 
Overhead Projector              ___
VHS VCR                         ___
Slide Projector                 ___
Other _____________________________


1993 BEAM Robot Olympics and Micromouse Competition:


I/We hereby declare that I/We will not hold IEEE Canada, BEAM Robotics,
The University of Waterloo, any sponsor, or the Ontario Science Centre 
responsible for any loss, damage or injury that may occur while in 
attendance at the 1993 BEAM Robot Olympics and Micromouse Competition.  
I/We have read the BEAM Olympics Guidelines, have understood them and 
will comply to the restrictions stated therein.


Signature: Team leader  ________________________________________

           Team Members ________________________________________

                        ________________________________________

                        ________________________________________

                        ________________________________________



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!!"

-- 
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!!"
Newsgroups: comp.ai