[robocup-nao] RoboCup 2009 Standard Platform League: Call forApplications for Participation

[Michail G. Lagoudakis]

Thomas Röfer wrote:

> exhibition games. The games will be played on the shared Standard 
> Platform League fields of the new standard small field dimension 
> (slightly smaller than the past AIBO playing field.) Please see 
> the RoboCup'2009 SPL website for further details. 

Thomas,

it will be nice if you (or the Tech Committee) could provide a clarification on the 2009 field 
dimensions. In the last two years, three sizes have been used:

1. 400 x 600 (2007 AIBO field)
2. 500 x 750 (2008 AIBO field)
3. 440 x 680 (2008 NAO field)

My understanding is that #3 will be used in 2009, is that correct? That worked for 2008, where we 
had 2 x 2 Naos in the field, but with the prospect of having 4 x 4 Naos (plus 3 human referees) in 
the 2009 field we may have congestion!

Recently there was some (leaked) discussion on the various RoboCup lists stating that a single field 
is to be used for a number of leagues (small size, standard platform, humanoid). I am not sure if 
any decision was made at that level. Also, the original plan for the 2008 and future NAO field was 
#2. I am quoting a message from January 2008:

> * Field dimensions changed, green carpet is 7.5mx5m
>    - Note, the increased field size will further disadvantage teams that
> do not walk to kick-off. As they will still start on the penalty box,
> this is now a long way from the centre.
>    - This sized field will be used in future SPL competitions.

In any case, I think that it will be nice to decide early what the field dimensions are going to be, 
as well as the line markings, so that teams have sufficient time to build their home fields early.

Best regards,

Michail