[robocup-small] SSL 2009 Rules Schedule and Announcements

[Junya Maeno]

Hi all,

Here are our opinions on major rule changes.

(1)Field Size
We agree with the TC proposal.

(2)Development of Shared Vision System, First Optional Experimental
Testing of Software in 2009(tentative)
We agree with developing the shared vision system.
However, it should not enforce using shared vision system on all teams.
Some teams will develop their own vision systems.

On the other hand, we suggest that there is an alternative developing
a shared(standard) SSL robot. Shared vision system and/or shared robot
may encourage the new teams to come.


Best regards,
Junya Maeno
Team Leader/RoboDragons


2008/9/4, Stefan Zickler <szickler at cs.cmu.edu>:
> Dear Small-Size League members,
>
> it is time to discuss rule changes for RoboCup 2009. As in the
> previous year, the TC has prepared a schedule to do so in an orderly
> fashion:
>
> Until September 21st: Community Discussion about Major Rule Changes
> ------------------------------------
> The SSL community is asked to propose and discuss major rule changes
> for RoboCup 2009 via the mailing list. "major" encompasses everything
> that affects the construction or number of SSL robots or the
> environment.
> Please note that this year we have two particular major developments
> that we would like to announce:
>
> (1) Field Size
> The RoboCup Federation has decided to unify the field size of SSL,
> humanoid, and SPL (but not MSL) starting 2009. Note that (to my latest
> knowledge) this unification is currently only regarding field size,
> not necessarily the layout of field markings and certainly not the
> size or design of the goals. As the small size league with its global
> vision system has the most stringent field size constraints out of
> these leagues, it will also be one of the most significant voices in
> determining the new standard field size. As we have already increased
> the field size significantly for 2008 and as many teams are near the
> limit of optical resolution and wide angle focal lengths, the SSL TC
> aims to leave the current dimensions untouched and will try to have
> them (or a slightly modified version) become the new RoboCup standard.
>
> (2) Development of Shared Vision System, First Optional Experimental
> Testing of Software in 2009 (tentative)
> One of the SSL roadmap goals for the coming years is to switch to a
> shared vision system that all teams can use. The idea is to have a
> single vision processing computer per field that all teams can connect
> to, very similar to the current refbox system. This also means that
> eventually there will be no more need to mount more than two cameras
> per field. The goal of these efforts are to eliminate a lot of
> mounting and calibration time, and at the same time to allow weaker
> teams to focus on A.I. and hardware development, rather than trying to
> re-solve the vision problem. Furthermore, such a system will make it
> easier to scale up to even larger fields (with 4 cameras for example)
> in future years.
>
> However, for RoboCup 2009 vision will remain unchanged for teams. Each
> team should continue their own efforts in developing vision software,
> and each team will be required to bring their own vision hardware as
> usual. Nevertheless, we are aiming to release a test version of a
> shared vision software well before RoboCup 2009 which teams can then
> adapt and try to use with their own vision hardware. Please note again
> that for 2009, use of this software would be completely voluntary, and
> furthermore, at each team's own risk!
>
> The TC is currently in the process of creating a committee to develop
> the shared vision system and to discuss its technical details. It is
> intended that this system will be released as open source and be
> hosted as a collaborative project, similar to the refbox. Community
> feedback or general opinions about the idea of the shared vision
> system are welcome. The TC will keep the community updated about the
> development of this system.
>
> Until October 12th: TC Discussion about Major Changes
> ------------------------------------
> The TC will discuss and decide on the major changes for 2009,
> considering the feedback from the SSL community.
>
> October 13th: Announcement of Major Changes
> ------------------------------------
> The TC announces all major rule changes for 2009. After this date,
> these issues are considered final.
>
> Until October 25th: Community Discussion about Minor Rule Changes
> ------------------------------------
> The SSL community is asked to propose and discuss all other rule
> changes for 2009.
>
> Until November 7th: TC Discussion about Minor Changes
> ------------------------------------
> The TC will discuss and decide on the rules for 2009, considering the
> feedback from the SSL community.
>
> November 8th: TC Announcement of 2009 Finalized Rules
> ------------------------------------
>
> We are looking forward to an interesting discussion!
>
> Best regards,
>
> Stefan
> On behalf of the Small Size TC 2009
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