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<h1>Call for Applications for Participation</h1>
<h2>RoboCup 2019 Standard Platform League</h2>
<h2><a href="http://spl.robocup.org/" moz-do-not-send="true">spl.robocup.org</a></h2>
<h2> </h2>
<h2>Tuesday 2nd July through Monday 8th July 2019 (Sydney
International Convention Centre, Australia)</h2>
<h2><a href="https://2019.robocup.org" moz-do-not-send="true">2019.robocup.org</a></h2>
<p><a href="https://www.robocup.org/" moz-do-not-send="true">RoboCup</a>
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.</p>
<p><b>The Standard Platform League (SPL)</b> 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 <a
href="https://ald.softbankrobotics.com/en/"
moz-do-not-send="true">SoftBank Robotics</a>. 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.</p>
<p>The RoboCup 2019 SPL will host:</p>
<ul>
<li>A team competition</li>
<li>A mixed teams competition</li>
<li>An open research challenge</li>
<li>A technical challenge</li>
</ul>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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 <a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:rc-spl-tc@lists.robocup.org" moz-do-not-send="true">rc-spl-tc@lists.robocup.org</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2>Qualification</h2>
<p>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>:</p>
<ol>
<li><b>Team Information:</b> the team name, the team leader(s),
and the university/company affiliation(s) of the team</li>
<li><b>Mixed Teams:</b> 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.</li>
<li><b>Code Usage:</b> 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.</li>
<li><b>Past History:</b> 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.</li>
<li><b>Impact:</b> What is the impact of the team’s participation
and research in RoboCup on (1) the SPL, (2) the team’s
university/community?</li>
<li><b>Other:</b> present any other information that you believe
supports your application</li>
</ol>
<p>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 <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.</p>
<h2>Pre-Qualification</h2>
<p>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</p>
<p>The original qualification document must include:</p>
<ol>
<li><b>Team Information:</b> the team name, leader(s), and the
university/company affiliation(s) of the team</li>
<li><b>Mixed Teams:</b> 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.</li>
<li><b>Code Usage:</b> 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.</li>
<li><b>TRR:</b> A link to a team research report describing their
work for RoboCup 2018 (must be posted in a publicly available
location)</li>
<li><b>Code Release:</b> A link to a public code release as
detailed in the 2018 SPL rulebook</li>
</ol>
<p>If a joint 2018 team splits, only one team can be pre-qualified
for 2019 (please, indicate which one).</p>
<h2>Qualification for Regional Opens Only</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Submission and Evaluation</h2>
<p>All applications with the (pre-)qualification material must be
submitted by <b>15th of January 2019</b>, by email to <a
class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated"
href="mailto:rc-spl-tc@lists.robocup.org" moz-do-not-send="true">rc-spl-tc@lists.robocup.org</a>.</p>
<p>Applications must not be sent to personal SPL TC/OC email
addresses and must not contain video attachments.</p>
<p>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).</p>
<p>Teams are encouraged to consider joint participation. Joint
proposals will be judged on combined merit.</p>
<p>Applications will be evaluated to consider a variety of
components including:</p>
<ol>
<li>Potential to play competitive games at RoboCup 2019
(demonstrated ability to play soccer, previous results, etc.)</li>
<li>Contributions (and potential contributions) to league (code
releases/papers, active in organization, developing own code,
etc.)</li>
<li>Diversity (region, team make-up, unique characteristics, etc.)</li>
</ol>
<p>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.</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h2>Robot Acquisition</h2>
<p>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.</p>
<i>RoboCup 2019 Standard Platform League Technical and Organizing
Committees</i>
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