[robocup-small] Small Size 2006 Rules

[David Ball]

Dear Small Size Community,

This email is to announce the rules for the Small Size league for
RoboCup 2006. The final rules are located at:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~brettb/robocup/rules/

Some direct links are:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~brettb/robocup/rules/f180rules2006.html
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~brettb/robocup/rules/f180rules2006.pdf
Note that there will be continuing work in improving the image quality
in the pdf version.

There is also a version that shows what changes were made. This will be
useful to those teams that already have a good knowledge of the rules.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~brettb/robocup/rules/f180rules2006-changes.html

Please let me know ASAP if you find any mistakes or problems in the rules.

In regard to the Technical Challenges:
TECHNICAL CHALLENGE

INTRODUCTION:
Over the years many teams have proposed gross changes to the small size
league competition. Some examples include changing the ball,
implementation of virtual energy budgets and autonomous refereeing. It
is difficult to discuss and decide on these issues over email especially
when the involvement of the community is so low using email. It is also
difficult to fully understand the implications without a demonstration.
The Technicial Committee would like to move these discussions and
DECISIONS to the international RoboCup competitions so that as many
small size league people as possible can be involved. All teams are
encouraged to enter and participate.

APPROPRIATE PROPOSALS:
Appropriate proposals include any gross changes that you see as
benefitting the small size league. These can include:
* changing the ball
* implementation of virtual energy budgets
* autonomous refereeing system/robot
* changing the number of robots
* changing the size of the robots
* removing kickers/dribblers
* changing the field size or surface

However do not feel limited to only these proposals. Combinations are
possible as well. Please contact the Technical Committee if you are
unsure whether your proposal is appropriate.

THE PROCESS:
1. A report must be prepared that fully describes the proposal including
advantages and disadvantages. It must also list the
changes a team would need to make to their system in order to comply
with the new rules. 1 - 2 pages is an appropriate length. Please either
send this to the list prior to the competition or have enough copies to
hand out to all teams.
2. There must be a practical robot demonstration. Some possible tasks
include dribbling, obstacle avoidance, passing and
shooting. Demonstrations with two competing teams are encouraged and
will better show the full effects of your proposed rule changes.
3. The community is given time to discuss and think about the proposed
change.
4. All team leaders, technical committee and executive members have an
opportunity to vote.
5. A 2/3's majority of those that vote will indicate a successful rule
change.
6. A trophy is presented for each successful rule change.

Regards,
David Ball
dball at itee.uq.edu.au
Small Size Technical Committee