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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=DE link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:21.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Call for Applications for Participation</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>RoboCup 2018 Standard Platform League</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center'><a href="http://spl.robocup.org/"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B800;background:white'>spl.robocup.org</span></a><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Saturday 16th June through Friday 22nd June 2018 (Montréal, Canada)</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p align=center style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:center'><a href="http://www.robocup2018.com"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:18.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#1155CC;background:white'>http://www.robocup2018.com</span></a><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><a href="http://www.robocup.org/"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B800;background:white'>RoboCup</span></a><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'> <span lang=EN-GB>is an international initiative that fosters research and education in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence through a variety of competitions (RoboCupSoccer, RoboCupRescue, RoboCup@Home, RoboCupJunior) involving mostly multi-robot systems. RoboCup currently includes a number of different robot soccer leagues that focus on different research challenges.</span></span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>The <b>Standard Platform League (SPL)</b> is characterized using 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 2018 will use V5 (Maybe also V6, but currently no more informations from SoftBanks are available and no decision was made) or older versions of the NAO humanoid robot manufactured by</span><a href="https://www.ald.softbankrobotics.com/en"><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B800;background:white'>SoftBank Robotics</span></a><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>. The SPL robot soccer team competition games at RoboCup 2018 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.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>The RoboCup 2018 SPL will host both a team competition and a mixed teams competition.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>The team competition will consist of more games for most teams than in recent years. We expect to qualify 24 teams. The structure from 2017 will be used and extended in the team competition to allow all teams to play more games and against teams with similar skill levels. See Appendix A.3 of the </span><a href="https://depot.tu-dortmund.de/gav3g"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B800;background:white'>preliminary rulebook</span></a><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'> for more details.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Teams applying for the team competition may also apply for the mixed team competition. Each mixed team will consist of two teams. Mixed teams will play 6v6 games on the normal SPL field. Only 4 or 6 mixed teams will be selected to compete at RoboCup 2018. Teams, who participated in 2017, are encouraged to select another partner then in 2017. See Appendix B of the </span><a href="https://depot.tu-dortmund.de/gav3g"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B800;background:white'>preliminary rulebook</span></a><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'> for more details.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Qualification</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>All interested teams must submit an original qualification document. For the qualification document to be considered, it must (1) be no longer than <b>6 pages</b> and (2) include all the following information in <b>sections with the specified headings</b>:</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>1.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Team Information</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: the team name, the team leader(s), and the university/company affiliation(s) of the team</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>2.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Mixed Teams</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: If the team is interested in participating in the mixed teams competition, indicate the name of the partner team, the proposed mixed team name, and the proposed mixed team jersey colour. Include a short note about infrastructure plans as well as why this team and the proposed partner wish to perform as a mixed team.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>3.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Code Usage</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: acknowledge the team’s use of any other team’s code (1) previously from 2015 to present and (2) anticipated at RoboCup 2018. If code is used from other teams, is this code integrated into a code base that is mainly designed by the applying team? If not, describe in detail the ‘research publishable’ significant advancements to a module the applying team has made to the other team’s code release and what advancements the team is currently pursuing. A module is a larger part of the code base, that has to be changed significantly. Changing or implementing a behaviour is not a significant change. If the applying team does not use any other team’s code, state so.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>4.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Past History</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: provide game results in RoboCup Open competitions as well as main RoboCup competitions from 2016 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 2018.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>5.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Impact</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: what is the impact of the team’s participation and research in RoboCup on (1) the SPL, (2) the team’s university/community</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>6.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Other</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: present any other information that you believe supports your application</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>The written material must be complemented by a link to a video (maximum 5 min 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 2017 <b>must</b> 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). In cases where footage from multiple teams is shown (such as game footage), please include a textual overlay denoting which team is the applying team. 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.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Pre-Qualification</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Teams that satisfied the pre-qualification guidelines as set forth in the RoboCup 2017 rulebook will be pre-qualified for RoboCup 2018, if they submit the following original qualification document. Teams able to pre-qualify include: B-Human, Nao-Team HTWK, Nao Devils, UT Austin Villa, TJ Ark, UNSW Sydney, MRL-SPL, HULKs, Berlin United, Camelia Dragons</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>The original qualification document must include:</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>1.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Team Information</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: the team name, leader(s), and the university/company affiliation(s) of the team</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>2.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Mixed Teams</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: If the team is interested in participating in the mixed teams competition, indicate the name of the partner team, the proposed mixed team name, and the proposed mixed team jersey color. Include a short note about infrastructure plans as well as why this team and the proposed partner wish to perform as a mixed team.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>3.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Code Usage</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: acknowledge the team’s use of any other team’s code (1) previously from 2015 to present and (2) anticipated at RoboCup 2018. If code is used from other teams, is this code integrated into a code base that is mainly designed by the applying team? If not, describe in detail the ‘research publishable’ significant advancements to a module the applying team has made to the other team’s code release and what advancements the team is currently pursuing. A module is a larger part of the code base, that has to be changed significantly. Changing or implementing a behaviour is not a significant change. If the applying team does not use any other team’s code, state so.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>4.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>TRR</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>: A link to a team research report describing their work for RoboCup 2017 (must be posted in a publicly available location)</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>5.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Code Release:</span></b><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'> A link to a publicly release code as detailed in the 2017 SPL rulebook</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>If a joint 2017 team splits, only one team can be pre-qualified for 2018 (please, indicate which one).</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Qualification for Regional Opens Only</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Teams may also submit a short intent to participate in a regional open if they do not wish to participate in the 2018 RoboCup Montréal 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 special robot pricing as a 2018 RoboCup Event qualified team.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Teams must submit the following information by <b>31 January 2018</b>: (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.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Submission and Evaluation</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>All applications with the (pre-)qualification material must be submitted by<b> 31st of January 2018</b>, by email to <b>rc–spl–tc@lists.robocup.org</b>.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Applications must not be sent to personal SPL TC/OC email addresses and must not contain video attachments.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Note that applying serves as a statement of commitment to participate in the RoboCup 2018 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).</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Teams are encouraged to consider joint participation. Joint proposals will be judged on combined merit.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Applications will be evaluated to consider a variety of components including:</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>1.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Potential to play competitive games at RoboCup 2018 (demonstrated ability to play soccer, previous results, etc.)</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>2.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Contributions (and potential contributions) to league (code releases/papers, active in organization, developing own code, etc.)</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:0cm;margin-left:15.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent:-18.0pt'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>3.</span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif;color:#444444;background:white'> </span><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Diversity (region, team make-up, unique characteristics, etc.)</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>When choosing teams and team pairings for the mixed teams competition, we will pick teams and team pairings that we hope will make the competition high-quality, competitive, and interesting.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Qualification decisions, including alternate lists, will be announced by 20 February 2018. We expect to qualify 24 teams for RoboCup 2018 in Montréal as well as up to 8 teams for Regional Opens only.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:19.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>Robot Acquisition</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>We are still in contact with </span><a href="https://www.ald.softbankrobotics.com/en"><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#00B800;background:white'>SoftBank Robotics</span></a><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>, but did not agree on a contract at the moment. As soon as this changes we will inform you.</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p style='mso-margin-top-alt:0cm;margin-right:0cm;margin-bottom:11.0pt;margin-left:0cm;text-align:justify'><span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif;color:#444444;background:white'>RoboCup 2018 Standard Platform League Technical and Organizing Committees</span><span lang=EN-GB><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-GB><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>