[robocup-nao] RoboCup 2011 Standard Platform League - Call for Applications for Participation

[Tekin Mericli]

Call for Applications for Participation

RoboCup 2011 Standard Platform League

www.tzi.de/spl

July 5 - 11, 2011 (Istanbul, TURKEY)

www.robocup2011.org
 <http://www.robocup2011.org/>

RoboCup is an international initiative that fosters research and education
in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence through a variety of competitions
(RoboCupSoccer, RoboCupRescue, RoboCup at Home, RoboCupJunior) involving mostly
multi-robot systems.

RoboCup currently includes a number of different robot soccer leagues that
focus on different research challenges. The Standard Platform League (SPL)
is characterized by the use of an identical robot platform by all the teams.
Participating researchers focus on algorithmic development for fully
autonomous robots, i.e., robots that operate with no external control. The
SPL at RoboCup 2011 will use the humanoid robot NAO manufactured by
Aldebaran Robotics, which is being used in the SPL since 2008. The SPL robot
soccer games at RoboCup 2011 will be played between teams of four robots on
a 4m x 6m field. The RoboCup 2011 SPL will be able to host up to 24 teams,
which will be selected from the interested parties responding to this call.


Qualification
-------------

All interested teams need to submit an up-to five pages qualification
document that includes:

 1. a statement of commitment to participate in the RoboCup 2011 SPL

2. the leader(s), the constitution, and the affiliation(s) of the team

3. a statement of the team's research interests and planned activities

4. a summary of past relevant work and scientific publications

The written material must be complemented by a video (maximum 5 min long)
that demonstrates the current status of the robotics research of the team.
Videos of simulation contributions will also be accepted, only in case real
robots are unavailable.  If the candidates already have NAOs, the video
should show the current state of their robot soccer performance.

The qualification materials must be submitted by *December 5, 2010*, by
email to spl_tech at tzi.de. Qualification decisions will be announced by
December 17, 2010.

Teams are encouraged to consider joint participation. Joint proposals will
be judged on combined merit.


Pre-Qualification
-----------------

Teams that reached the quarter-finals at RoboCup 2010 and obtained a
non-zero score in at least two of the three challenges will be pre-qualified
for RoboCup 2011, if they submit the following material:

 1. a statement of commitment to participate in the RoboCup 2011 SPL

2. the leader(s) and the constitution of the team

3. a team research report describing their work for RoboCup 2010

The qualification materials must be submitted by *December 5, 2010*, by
email to spl_tech at tzi.de. Qualification decisions will be announced by
December 17, 2010.

If a joint 2010 team splits, only one team can be pre-qualified for 2011
(please, indicate which one).


SPL Robots
----------

The Standard Platform League in RoboCup 2011 will be conducted using
exclusively versions 3.2 and 3.3 of the RoboCup edition of the NAO humanoid
robots manufactured by Aldebaran Robotics. Other robots or other NAO models
(T2, T14, Η21, Η25, Academic edition) will not be allowed to participate.
(The current version v3.3 of NAO RoboCup edition has an improved head and
longer arms than version v3.2. See details and upgrade options below.)

As in previous years, twenty-four teams will be selected to participate in
the RoboCup 2011 SPL based on this call for participation. NAO robots will
be available to those 24 qualified teams, under a special agreement between
the RoboCup Federation and Aldebaran Robotics, including the following robot
distribution and pricing:

 - For new teams, a package of five v3.3 NAO robots, including five
batteries and two chargers, at the cost of 13,750 Euros (including one year
of hardware and software support).

 - For existing teams, arms and head upgrades are available, but are
optional for participation in the RoboCup 2011 SPL, under the following
conditions:

- The arms of the v3.2 NAO robots can be upgraded to v3.3 at no cost; the
upgrade includes stronger and slightly longer arms.

- The heads of the v3.2 NAO robots can be upgraded to v3.3 at a price of 390
Euros per unit; this upgrade includes a new WiFi module and an improved
casing for the electronics which reduces the operational temperature.

- All upgrades (arms and/or head) will be made only at the Aldebaran offices
(Paris, Boston, and Shanghai) before April 1, 2011 and not at the Opens nor
at RoboCup 2011 in Istanbul.

 - For existing teams, one additional NAO unit (v3.3) with 1 battery, but no
charger, will cost 2,750 Euros (includes one year of hardware and software
support).

 - Additional chargers will cost 140 Euros.

 - All prices exclude VAT and shipping costs.

 - Each team, old or new, joint or sole, is entitled to a quota of a maximum
of five upgrades/robots (any combination) at this special pricing.
Additional robots and upgrades are possible at other discounted prices,
which we will announce later to keep this call focused.

Aldebaran Robotics makes the above generous pricing offer because of their
great appreciation of RoboCup. Aldebaran Robotics is also pleased to
announce that they are creating an Open Source concept, in which NAO code
developers will be able to share their code, and they ask RoboCup SPL
participants to consider releasing their code to this Open Source effort.



RoboCup 2011 Standard Platform League

Technical and Organizing Committees
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