WRS Future Convenience Store Challenge
2020
Customer Interaction Task
Rulebook
2019/04/24

Revision History
April 24, 2019 First Draft

0. Terminology
TermDefinition

Mobile RobotA robot that can move autonomously.

Infrastructure(Robot)Unique infrastructure that can be installed insideconvenience stores to assist in the robot’s task. Thisequipment includes markings, IC tags, sensors,actuators, and auxiliary tools to attach to products, etc.
Infrastructure made up of sensors and actuators canalso be seen as stationary robots.

Manipulator

Robot arms, end effectors, and other equipment that
execute operations which can be installed on a mobile
robot or as part of the infrastructure.

ProductProducts found at a convenience store.

Customer

Person who visits the store to purchase products.

Container

Container used to hold and transport multiple
products. A container may also be called a “carton.”

ProductArea

Display Section of the convenience store with display cases orshelves installed.

Cashier Area

Section of the convenience store with the cashiercounter installed.

Eat-in Area

Section of the convenience store where customers may
consume food and drink they have purchased.

Restroom Area

Section of the convenience store with the toilet
installed (Abbreviation: Restroom).

Aisle Area

Section of the convenience store for customers andmobile robots to come and go. (Abbreviation: Aisle).

Backyard Area

Area of the convenience store where customers are notallowed (Abbreviation: Backyard).

Playground

Area where children and others can play. Locatedoutdoors.

Home Area

Standby station of the mobile robot. Located within theBackyard Area.

Display Case

Cases for displaying products and for collecting
disposal items. Multiple products are mixed in thiscase initially.

Chief Judge

The judge who declares the start of the task and issues
instructions to the participants.

Assistant Judge

The assistant to the judge who performs measurement
scoring and watches for violations, etc.

Operator

The person who performs the starting operation in thecompetition field. After finishing the operation, theoperator leaves the competition field.

Safety Observer

The person who manages the safety of the system
within the competition field. Performs operations suchas emergency stop. May double as the operator.

1. Overview
This challenge aims to develop technology to automate customer interaction,which is part of the job for employees at a convenience store. Participants ofthis competition task will develop a robot that autonomously moves andinteracts with customers, as well as infrastructure to install inside of asimulated convenience store. In this challenge, participants will use therobots and infrastructure they develop to compete in terms of the innovation,viability, and feasibility of their systems when performing customer
interaction demonstrations in a simulated convenience store space.
The layout of the convenience store interior consists of a product display area,
cashier area, eat-in area, restroom area, aisles, backyard area, and aplayground area.
Participants can freely choose a customer interaction challenge and performa system demonstration within the time limit of the round.
In addition, the proposed system will be required to contribute to energy
saving and an efficiency of work in convenience stores.

2. Flow of the RoundThe time limit for this task will be 15 minutes. The task will proceed withthree tasks in the following order:(1) Renovation time(2) Presentation(3) Customer interaction demonstrations
Participants can distribute the time to each phase as they prefer. Participants
must indicate their progression to the judges when starting each phase andwhen completing the task.
Please note the presentations and the customer interaction demonstrations
must be done in English, which is the official language of the competition.

2.1. Renovation Time
Participants will add or replace furniture such as shelves and otherinfrastructure, install their robot, and set products as necessary. For example:
・ Installation of unique infrastructure inside the convenience store
・ Replacement of existing furniture such as display cases and thecashier counter・ Arranging their robot and products in any initial positions inside thesimulated convenience store.
Participants should inform the judges when their renovation has ended.

2.2. Presentation
Participants will explain the purpose and an overview of the system theydeveloped. The presentation may be conducted at the same time as thedemonstration. Participants must inform the judges when the presentation isover or if the presentation will be conducted at the same time as thedemonstration.

2.3. Customer Interaction Demonstration

After the judges confirm that the preparations are finished, thedemonstration will begin.
The participants will input the start command into the system.
After the system operation starts, the participants are not allowed tocontrol the robot or take any actions that will influence the operation of thesystem. Any team that manipulates the operation of the system will bewithdrawn from the task at that point.
However, if there is a system malfunction and continuing the task isdeemed difficult, the participants can decide to retry the task as describedhereafter.

3. Details of Challenge
3.1. Customer Interaction ChallengeParticipants can freely choose a customer interaction challenge and performa system demonstration within the time limit of the round. For example, thecompetition expects a demonstration similar to those below.
・ Heating purchased products (lunch boxes, etc.) or bagging products
・ Receiving orders and retrieving products ordered through a clerk suchas hot snacks and cigarettes
・ New services based on recognizing gender, age, and products customers
are hesitant to purchase・ Recommendation of products
・ Prevention of shoplifting・ Customer service for customers with special needs such as elderly,
foreign nationals, or wheelchair-users.
・ Assistance and other services
These are only a few examples of customer interaction. Not all of theseservices need to be implemented. However, the competition expects proposals
and demonstrations that foresee a future of new services including theinteraction between people (staff and customers) and robots. The competition
also expects participants to generate appeal by illustrating the specific useprescribed to their system in their demonstration via role-playing and othermeans. The judging panel evaluates those customer interactions from theperspectives outlined below.
Judges score customer interaction by awarding points based on the following
criteria:
 Innovation
 Viability
 Feasibility
Furthermore, role-playing customers for the demonstrations should bearranged by the participants.

3.2. Retry
Participants can ask the judges to terminate the demonstration to retry thetask if the system malfunctions and continuing the demonstration is deemeddifficult.
However, the clock will continue to run while the demonstration is stopped.
The participants can decide in what state to resume the task.

4. Specifications and Restrictions
4.1. Simulated Convenience StoreThe convenience store will be approximately 10ｍ×10ｍ space which consistsof a product display area, cashier area, eat-in area, restroom area, aisles, anda backyard area. The cashier area will have a counter, and the product display
area will include display case. Detailed information about the layout, counter,and display case inside the convenience store will be provided in a separate
document.
Participants will not be allowed to make changes to the layout inside theconvenience store during the renovation time such as rearranging the display
case in the aisles.

4.2. Products
Participants shall prepare the products to use in the demonstration

4.3. Mobile Robot and Infrastructure Restrictions
4.3.1. Hardware Restrictions
There are no restrictions on the number of mobile robots
Each mobile robot must occupy less than 1m x 1m of floor space and all of
the mobile robots must fit into a 2m x 2m area.
 Infrastructure can be installed anywhere inside the convenience store,
but different restrictions apply according to the area of the store. Please
see the documents provided separately for more information.
4.3.2. Software RestrictionsThe robots and infrastructure must operate autonomously after the startof the task. However, participants may monitor the internal status
remotely in order to know the state of their system.
Mobile robots are prohibited from moving outside of the convenience store.

4.3.3. Energy Source Restrictions
Participants should provide an energy source for their robots.
A power supply within AC100V/1500W is planned as the energy sourcefor participants to use.
 Any energy source deemed to be dangerous or inappropriate for use will
not be allowed.
4.3.4. Venue Restrictions

Participants are prohibited from intentionally dirtying or damaging theconvenience store.
 Infrastructure must be able to be removed immediately after the task
ends to return the venue to its original state.
 The convenience store has no ceiling or walls
4.3.5. Safety Restrictions






Systems must all have an emergency stop switch in case of emergency.
The emergency stop switch must be separate from the switch used to startthe system
The emergency stop switch must be installed at a location where it can besafely pressed while the system is in operation, or can be operated
remotely.
When initiating an emergency stop remotely, it must be a wired pushbutton emergency stop switch located at a distance of over 1.5m away.

・ If the emergency stop switch is pressed, all of the movable parts includedin the system must immediately stop operating.
・ The design must prevent the system from tipping over at all times,
including during an emergency stop.
・ Measures must be taken to shield any area with a danger of pinching thearms and legs of people in the vicinity.
・ Hot areas and sharp edges must not protrude.
・ Energy sources utilizing fire or high temperatures are not permitted.
・ Any laser used in the system must be class 1 or lower.
・ Products and parts of robots must not inject anything.

5. Other
This rulebook is subject to change without notice.