[robocup-worldwide] RoboCup SPL Call for Applications for Participation

[Stefan Seering]

  Call for Applications for Participation


    RoboCup 2019 Standard Platform League


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


    Tuesday 2nd July through Monday 8th July 2019 (Sydney International
    Convention Centre, Australia)


    2019.robocup.org <https://2019.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 2019 will use V6, 
V5 or older versions of the NAO humanoid robot manufactured by SoftBank 
Robotics <https://ald.softbankrobotics.com/en/>. The SPL robot soccer 
team competition games at RoboCup 2019 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 2019 SPL will host:

  * A team competition
  * A mixed teams competition
  * An open research challenge
  * A technical challenge

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 2018 will be used to allow all teams to play games 
against teams with similar skill levels. See Appendix A.4 of the 
preliminary rulebook for more details. The 24 teams participating in the 
team competition must also compete in the open research challenge and 
technical challenge.

The technical challenge will be a "Directional Whistle Challenge", 
similar to the whistle detection of the "Sound Recognition Challenge" 
from RoboCup 2014. The open challenge will consist of a poster prepared 
by the teams accompanied by a small presentation. Both challenges will 
be detailed further with the release of the SPL rules document.

To assist in adoption of V6 Robots one or more source code examples 
regarding V6 robots will be published at a later date. These examples 
allow teams to adapt their competition code from recent years more 
easily to encourage use of V6 Robots. Softbank are in the process of 
preparing the certifying the API for the Nao V6 that is specific for 
SPL. Softbank expect to release this during the week of December 10 - 
14. Further details will be distributed once the release has been made.

Teams applying for the team competition may also apply for the mixed 
teams competition. Each mixed team will consist of two teams. Mixed 
teams will play 6v6 games on an enlarged SPL field (12m x 8m). Up to 8 
mixed teams (comprised of up to 16 normal teams) will be selected to 
compete at RoboCup 2019. Teams, who participated in 2018, are required 
to select another partner compared to 2018. See Appendix B of the 
preliminary rulebook for more details.

Exclusively applying for mixed teams competition is not possible. 
However, the SPL offers to facilitate contact between regular teams 
which lack a partner for the mixed teams competition. Feel free to 
announce your interest in the mixed teams competition by email 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. *Mixed Teams:* 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.
 3. *Code Usage:* acknowledge the team’s use of any other team’s code
    (1) previously from 2015 to present and (2) anticipated at RoboCup
    2019. 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.
 4. *Past History:* provide game results in RoboCup Open competitions as
    well as main RoboCup competitions from 2017 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 2019.
 5. *Impact:* What is the impact of the team’s participation and
    research in RoboCup on (1) the SPL, (2) the team’s university/community?
 6. *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 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 2018 *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). 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.


    Pre-Qualification

Teams that satisfied the pre-qualification guidelines as set forth in 
the RoboCup 2018 rulebook will be pre-qualified for RoboCup 2019, if 
they submit the following original qualification document. Teams able to 
pre-qualify include: B-Human, Nao-Team HTWK, Nao Devils, UT Austin 
Villa, TJArk, rUNSWift, HULKs, Berlin United, Naova, NTU RoboPAL

The original qualification document must include:

 1. *Team Information:* the team name, leader(s), and the
    university/company affiliation(s) of the team
 2. *Mixed Teams:* 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.
 3. *Code Usage:* acknowledge the team’s use of any other team’s code
    (1) previously from 2015 to present and (2) anticipated at RoboCup
    2019. 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.
 4. *TRR:* A link to a team research report describing their work for
    RoboCup 2018 (must be posted in a publicly available location)
 5. *Code Release:* A link to a public code release as detailed in the
    2018 SPL rulebook

If a joint 2018 team splits, only one team can be pre-qualified for 2019 
(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 2019 RoboCup Sydney 
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 picing for team competing in RoboCup Events 
are still being discussed. Updates about special prices will be annouced 
as soon as offers and conditions are finalized.

Teams must submit the following information by 15 January 2019: (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 *15th of January 2019*, 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 2019 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 2019 (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.)

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.

Qualification decisions, including alternate lists, will be announced by 
22nd February 2019. We expect to qualify 24 teams for RoboCup 2019 in 
Sydney 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 picing for team 
competing in RoboCup Events are still being discussed. Updates about 
special prices will be annouced as soon as offers and conditions are 
finalized.

/RoboCup 2019 Standard Platform League Technical and Organizing Committees/
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