<div>Hi!</div>
<div>I am Ernesto Torres from Eagle Knights, México. Our opinions of rules proposals are:</div>
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<div>--------------------------------<br> PROPOSED MAJOR RULES CHANGES<br>--------------------------------<br><br>==== FIELD SIZE ====<br><br><strong>Proposal</strong>: Increase field size slightly for 2007. The outer dimensions
<br>of the field remain the same, but the inner dimensions are increased<br>by 200mm in both directions. This is achieved by shrinking the<br>"margin" outside the area of play from 300mm to 200mm.<br><br><font color="#cc0000">
<strong>Opinion</strong>: We agree with this change because systems could be easily adapted and the games need more space</font></div>
<div><font color="#cc0000">to take place (specially because the robots and the ball move too quickly and the ball goes out for throw in very frequently).<br></font><br>==== SEMI-AUTOMATIC REFEREE ====<br><br><strong>Proposal
</strong>: This year we will be adopting an ethernet-based referee, which allows<br>teams a measure of self-refereeing. It is based on the concept<br>demonstrated at last year's RoboCup by Plasma-Z. Participation this
<br>year will be voluntary, but strongly encouraged. The referee program<br>will still have a serial output like the old referee program, but that<br>interface may not have the full functionality of the new ethernet<br>interface.
<br><br>Note: Teams are encouraged to consider computer hardware with an<br>additional ethernet interface, as the referee will be on a special<br>local network to avoid interference.<br> </div>
<div><font color="#cc0000"><strong>Opinion</strong>: It is a good idea to start making the whole game completely autonomus (including referee) and to try this year with the new ethernet interface.</font><br><br>==== ROBOT KICK SPEED LIMITATION ====
<br><br><strong>Proposal</strong>: Limit the maximum speed a ball can be kicked, to something<br>like 10m/s.<br><br>TC: We would like to adopt this rule, both for safety reasons and to<br>avoid an arms race. However, we would like feedback from teams about
<br>whether they feel this is important, and if so, which speed limit to<br>use. To keep it concrete, please consider only 2 m/s increments<br>between 6 m/s and 12 m/s, or "no limit".<br><br>Penalty: Goals scored or deflections off of opponents using kicks
<br>above the limit will result in a freekick for the other team.<br>Enforcement would mainly be by team cooperation, along with a static<br>measurement at the beginning of the competition. During a match, a<br>referee will have to use his judgement, along with evidence from any
<br>participating automatic referees.<br><br><font color="#cc0000"><strong>Opinion</strong>: It is really important to regulate the kick speed to enourage strategy and for protection of the robots and the people around the field. We think it is easily and better to regulate the kicker with the speed of the ball rather than with the voltage.
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<div><br>==== NEW GOALS ====<br><br><strong>Proposal</strong>: The TC (and OC) is exploring the option of redesigning the goals to<br>better absorb ball impacts and avoid high speed rebounds. This could<br>take the form of foam or even changing the back to a net.
<br><br>The TC would like to hear from teams on this issue, in particular if a<br>change from the current solid color painted goals would negatively<br>affect a team. The change to the goals is being considered due to<br>
high-speed kickers as well as the lack of current teams using local<br>vision sensing.<br> </div>
<div><font color="#cc0000"><strong>Opinion</strong>: We agree with the idea of changing the goals to absorb the ball. The idea of a net like real soccer goals might work.</font></div>
<div><font color="#cc0000">Another good idea is to have higher goals and to ensure that the net would be as transparent and thin as possible so it does not </font></div>
<div><font color="#cc0000">occlude the robot.<br></font></div>
<div><br>Regards.</div>
<div>Ernesto Torres Vidal</div>
<div>Eagle Knights </div>
<div>ITAM México <br> </div>