[robocup-nao] RoboCup SPL Call for Participation 2020

[Stefan Seering]

  Call for Applications for Participation


    RoboCup 2020 Standard Platform League


    spl.robocup.org <http://spl.robocup.org/>


    Tuesday 23rd June through Monday 29th June 2020 (Parc des
    Expositions de Bordeaux, France)


    2020.robocup.org <https://2020.robocup.org>

RoboCup <https://www.robocup.org/> 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 all the teams
using an identical robot platform. Participating researchers focus on
algorithmic development for fully autonomous robots, i.e., robots that
operate with no external control. The SPL at RoboCup 2020 will use V6,
V5 or older versions of the NAO humanoid robot manufactured by SoftBank
Robotics <https://www.softbankrobotics.com/emea/en/nao>. The SPL robot
soccer team competition games at RoboCup 2020 will be played indoor and
outdoor between teams of five robots on a 6m x 9m playing surface. Teams
should be able to play on a randomly assigned indoor or outdoor field
within one hour.

The RoboCup 2020 SPL will host:

  * A team competition
  * An open research challenge
  * Two technical challenges

The team competition will consist of a similar number of games for most
teams compared to recent years. We expect to qualify 24 teams. The
structure from 2019 will be used to allow all teams to play games
against teams with similar skill levels. See Appendix A.4 of the
preliminary rulebook (to be released soon) for more details. The 24
teams participating in the team competition should also compete in the
open research challenge and technical challenges.

The first technical challenge will be a "General Penalty Shoot Out
Challenge", similar to the one from RoboCup 2018. The second technical
challenge will be an obstacle avoidance challenge. The open challenge
will consist of a poster prepared by the teams accompanied by a small
presentation. All challenges will be detailed further with the release
of the SPL rules document.

To assist in adoption of V6 Robots source code examples and
documentation regarding V6 robots were published on the SPL website
<https://spl.robocup.org/v6-support/>. One can also find example code
working with V6 Robots in the code released by participating teams.
These examples allow teams to adapt their competition code from recent
years more easily to encourage use of V6 Robots. If you need access to
the RoboCup NAOqi Image and the specific documentation, please write an
email (mentioning your team affiliation) to rc-spl-tc at lists.robocup.org.


    Qualification

All interested teams must submit an original qualification document. For
the qualification document to be considered, it must (1) be no longer
than *6 pages* and (2) include all the following information in
*sections with the specified headings*:

 1. *Team Information:* the team name, the team leader(s), and the
    university/company affiliation(s) of the team
 2. *Code Usage:* acknowledge the team’s use of any other team’s code
    (1) previously from 2016 to present and (2) anticipated at RoboCup
    2020. If code is used from other teams, is this code integrated into
    a code base that is mainly designed by the applying team? Describe
    in detail the ‘research publishable’ significant advancements to a
    module the applying team has made in accordance with the league's
    qualification procedure. If the applying team does not use any other
    team’s code, state so. For further details, please have a look into
    the rule book, section A.1.
 3. *Past History:* provide game results in RoboCup Open competitions as
    well as main RoboCup competitions from 2018 onward. Include
    opponents and game scores from each competition in a table. State if
    the team plans to participate in any RoboCup Open competitions or
    friendlies prior to RoboCup 2020.
 4. *Impact:* What is the impact of the team’s participation and
    research in RoboCup on (1) the SPL, (2) the team’s university/community?
 5. *Other:* present any other information that you believe supports
    your application

The written material must be complemented by a link to a video (maximum
5 minutes long, uploaded on the team’s web site or on some video server)
that demonstrates the status of the team. The TC uses the video to
determine the readiness of the team to compete effectively, and hence
should focus on the team’s ability to play soccer. Teams who did not
participate in the team competition at RoboCup 2019 *must* include
footage of at least one robot attempting to kick off and score (this
footage must be captured as a single wide shot with no cuts). If robots
from multiple teams are active in the footage (e.g. game footage),
please include a textual overlay or additional document denoting which
robots belong to the applying team for every scene. Videos of simulation
contributions will also be accepted, but only when a real robot is
unavailable. Preference will be given to teams that use real robots to
show soccer skills in their video.


    Pre-Qualification

Teams that satisfied the pre-qualification guidelines as set forth in
the RoboCup 2019 rulebook will be pre-qualified for RoboCup 2020, if
they submit the following original qualification document. Teams able to
pre-qualify include:

  * B-Human
  * Nao-Team HTWK
  * rUNSWift
  * Nao Devils
  * TJArk
  * UT Austin Villa
  * HULKs
  * Bembelbots
  * Starkit
  * SABANA Herons
  * Berlin United

The original qualification document must include:

 1. *Team Information:* the team name, leader(s), and the
    university/company affiliation(s) of the team
 2. *Code Usage:* acknowledge the team’s use of any other team’s code
    (1) previously from 2016 to present and (2) anticipated at RoboCup
    2020. If code is used from other teams, is this code integrated into
    a code base that is mainly designed by the applying team? Describe
    in detail the ‘research publishable’ significant advancements to a
    module the applying team has made in accordance with the league's
    qualification procedure. If the applying team does not use any other
    team’s code, state so. For further details, please have a look into
    the rule book, section A.1.
 3. *TRR:* A link to a team research report describing their work for
    RoboCup 2019 (which must be published in a publicly available location)
 4. *Code Release:* A link to a public code release as detailed in the
    2019 SPL rulebook

If a joint 2019 team splits, only one team can be pre-qualified for 2020
(please, indicate which one).


    Qualification for Regional Opens Only

Teams may also submit a short intent to participate in a regional open
if they do not wish to participate in the 2020 RoboCup competition.
Although teams may participate in regional opens without submitting this
intent to participate, teams who submit an intent to participate and
become qualified will be eligible for future special robot pricing.
Special robot pricing for team competing in RoboCup Events are still
being discussed. Updates about special prices will be announced as soon
as offers and conditions are finalized.

Teams must submit the following information by 22nd of January 2020: (1)
The team name, leader(s), and the university/company affiliation(s) of
the team and (2) a short statement describing the status/progress of the
team. A link to a short video showing robot soccer behaviours and/or
game play (using robots or in simulation) may be included if available.


    Submission and Evaluation

All applications with the (pre-)qualification material must be submitted
by *22nd of January 2020*, by email to rc-spl-tc at lists.robocup.org.

Applications must not be sent to personal SPL TC/OC email addresses and
must not contain video attachments.

Note that applying serves as a statement of commitment to participate in
the RoboCup 2020 SPL. If you have doubts regarding the ability of your
team to participate (due to funding, visas, etc.), please apply by the
deadline but note this in your application. Declining to participate in
any competition after the official early registration period has opened
may negatively affect future applications (the later you decline, the
worse it will affect future applications).

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

Applications will be evaluated to consider a variety of components
including:

 1. Potential to play competitive games at RoboCup 2020 (demonstrated
    ability to play soccer, previous results, etc.)
 2. Contributions (and potential contributions) to league (code
    releases/papers, active in organization, developing own code, etc.)
 3. Diversity (region, team make-up, unique characteristics, etc.)

Qualification decisions, including alternate lists, will be announced by
22nd February 2020. We expect to qualify 24 teams for RoboCup 2020 in
Bordeaux as well as up to 8 teams for Regional Opens only.


    Robot Acquisition

Teams who submit an intent to participate and become qualified will be
eligible for future special robot pricing. Special robot pricing for
team competing in RoboCup Events are still being discussed. Updates
about special prices will be announced as soon as offers and conditions
are finalized.

/RoboCup 2020 Standard Platform League Technical and Organizing Committees/
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