MALAYSIA ROBOT OLYMPIAD 2005

MALAYSIA ROBOT OLYMPIAD 2005 Organiser Institutional Partners RCFISET, UNIVERSITI MALAYA BUILDING NOW THE SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE KEMAHIRAN UNTUK MASA DEPAN, KITA BINA MASA KINI Supported by

COMPETITION VISION To provide a powerful learning platform to enable students to cope with skills that are essential for success in the 21st century. MISSION To strengthen important problem-solving and social skills that are critical for success in further studies and future careers. These skills include: a) Problem solving b) Creative thinking c) Interpersonal communication d) Collaborative teamwork skills OBJECTIVES 1. To help students build a solid foundation in maths, science, technology, design and ICT through hands-on experience or investigation. 2. To train students to work together with spirits of creative collaboration and solve challenging problems. 3. To enable students to develop systematic thinking as they plan and implement programmes and at the same time, improve logical thinking skills through the programming of robots. 4. To enhance students' creativity in problem solving and raise their awareness to the many possible ways of arriving at the desired results. 5. To promote competition in robotics amongst Malaysian school students as a healthy indulgence. BUILDING NOW THE SKILLS FOR THE FUTURE 2

COMPETITION : ORGANISER Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd. is a private limited company incorporated on 3rd May 1985. Our core business involves the publishing of a wide range of syllabus-based textbooks, examination guides, workbooks, readers, dictionaries, and educational aids for both primary and secondary schools. Sasbadi is solidly backed by a group of very dedicated, diligent and experienced people. The company currently has about 180 full-time employees. It has a large distribution and retailing network involving 400 major book sellers in moving its products and providing services to schools. We have also been winning contracts from the Ministry of Education (MoE) Malaysia to publish and supply textbooks, activity books, teacher s manuals, CD-Rom to both primary and secondary schools. The MoE, which is known to be stringent and uncompromising in quality control, has been very pleased with its products. In an effort to emerge as a fully developed country by the year 2020, the MoE has placed paramount importance on science and technology with special emphasis on technological innovation. The main objective of the Science curriculum in Malaysia is to encourage students to be inquisitive and to develop scientific skills in exploring their environment in pursuit of scientific knowledge which consist of process skills and manipulative skills. In line with the MoE s objective of producing more creative and innovative students with analytical and problem-solving skills, Sasbadi is committed to providing more learning by making activities in Malaysian schools. LEGO Education Partner in Malaysia LEGO Education has appointed Sasbadi Sdn. Bhd. as the authorized and exclusive sole distributor of school products in Malaysia with effect from 1st January 2005. Sasbadi is also the national organiser of the Malaysia Robot Olympiad (MRO) 2005. The national winner of will represent Malaysia at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) 2005, hosted by the Science Centre of Education, Bangkok, Thailand from 4th until 6th November 2005. 3

COMPETITION : INSTITUTIONAL PARTNER Research Consortium For Industrial Science, Engineering, and Technology (RCFISET) UNIVERSITY OF MALAYA The RCFISET was the brainchild of Prof. Dr. Mohamad Rom Tamjis. It was formed in the midst of 2004. RCFISET was mainly formed to cater for the repositioning of the academic findings and the academia itself. Together RCFISET will assist towards a developed Malaysia. RCFISET is also ONE STOP CENTRE for R & D, Professional and SemiProfessional Training, Network Unit, and Consultancy. Our vision is to be a World Class Research Consortium for industrial science, engineering, and technology. Our mission: To be a full scale research consortium, To bring together industries and the university on one platform, To organise certified seminars / workshops to cater for the need of undergraduates, postgraduates, lecturers, engineers, and industrialist in Malaysia, worldwide and others, To bring together all research institutes (government & private) for betterment of research, development, and efforts towards commercialization, To play important role in maintaining UM as the premier university in Malaysia and among the best in the world UNIVERSITI MALAYA, the first University of the country, is situated on a 750-acre (309hectare) campus in the southwest of Kuala Lumpur, the capital city of Malaysia. The University of Malaya grew out of a tradition of service to the society. Its predecessors, the King Edward VII College of Medicine established in 1905 and Raffles College in 1929, has been established to meet urgent demands, one in medicine and the other in education. When the two came together to form the University of Malaya in October 1949, this was so that they might perform together an even greater service - to help lay the foundations of a new nation by producing a generation of skilled and educated men. Hence the University of Malaya was established on 8 October 1949 as a national institution to serve the higher education needs of the Federation of Malaya and Singapore. The growth of the University was very rapid during the first decade of its establishment and this resulted in the setting up of two autonomous Divisions in 1959, one located in Singapore and the other in Kuala Lumpur. In 1960, the government of the two territories indicated their desire to change the status of the Divisions into that of a national university. Legislation was passed in 1961 founding the University of Malaya on 1st January 1962. The University motto, "Ilmu Punca Kemajuan" (Knowledge is the Key to Success) reflects the philosophy of the University in its constant endeavour to seek knowledge in all fields to produce successful graduates and a successful nation. On 16th June 2005 University of Malaya celebrated is roots of 100 years. RESEARCH. DEVELOP. NETWORK http://www.rcfiset.com 4

http://www.um.edu.my COMPETITION : INSTITUTIONAL PARTNER LEGO Education LEGO Education is a member of the LEGO Group and develops products and teaching materials for use across the spectrum of educational settings. We target children from 6 months, right up to university students, although our main focus is children aged 2 to 16. Our concepts are created with a view to stimulating a range of academic and social skills, always with the values of the LEGO Group at the heart: Creativity, Imagination, Fun, Quality and Learning. LEGO Education was founded in 1980, in response to demands from teachers using LEGO kits in schools and kindergartens. We are based at LEGO Group headquarters in Billund, Denmark, where we have about 25 employees, almost half of whom work on developing new concepts. In 1986 the first LEGO set combined with computer technology was launched, focusing on control techniques. Today this has developed to become a comprehensive robotics concept, which has won global recognition as LEGO MINDSTORMSTM for Schools. The concept uses robotics as a means to apply computer technology and teach design, technology, science and maths. LEGO Education mission and vision statements are: We strive to add an Extra Learning Dimension to the educational experience of students, to make positive difference in their future. We will win respect as the company that contributes to the success of educators by offering unique tools that have proven effective at nurturing the creative thinking, problem solving and interpersonal skills of students. Our core purpose is to provide educators and other professionals with unique tools that will enable students to develop the skills necessary to embrace the challenges of the future in the Creative Society. Over the years we have been profoundly influenced by the work of Dr Seymour Papert, who has also been a close advisor and partner for the company until his recent retirement form his position as Professor Emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, MIT. It was Papert who established the idea of Constructionism or Learning by Making, which advocates the value of children being given opportunities to participate in hands-on learning activities. Participation is crucial, he says, because by building models or solution with their hands, children simultaneously construct knowledge and understanding in their minds. 5

PRELIMINARY COMPETITION : SCHEDULE Preliminary Competition 01 June 2005 15 July 2005 Registration Opens Registration Closes 01 June until 30 July 2005 Briefings on Regional Competition Regional Schedule 1. NORTHERN REGION Perlis, Kedah, Pulau Pinang, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu Date: 30th July 2005 Saturday Venue: Dewan Sek. Men. Teknik Seberang Prai, Pulau Pinang 2. CENTRAL REGION Selangor, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang Date: 16th- 17th August 2005 Tuesday Venue: Auditorium Perdana Siswa, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 3. SOUTHERN REGION Negeri Sembilan, Melaka, Johor Date: 23th July 2005 Saturday Venue: Dewan Sek. Men. Sains Muar, Johor Time 0830hrs 0900hrs 0930hrs 1130hrs 1230hrs 1230hrs 1330hrs 1530hrs 1630hrs 1700hrs Programme Registration of Teams Briefing on Competition Quarantine for Sprint (Primary and Secondary) Competition 1 - Sprint (Primary and Secondary) End of Competition 1 Lunch Quarantine for Strength (Primary School) and Slalom (Secondary School) Competition 2 Strength (Primary School) and Slalom (Secondary School) End of Competition 2 Prize Giving Ceremony * The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the MRO programme and dates. 6

FINAL COMPETITION : SCHEDULE Finals Date : 18th August 2005 Thursday Venue: Auditorium Perdana Siswa, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur. Time 0830hrs 0900hrs 0930hrs 1000hrs 1200hrs 1300hrs 1300hrs 1400hrs 1600hrs 1645hrs 1700hrs Programme Registration of Teams Opening Ceremony Briefing on Competition Quarantine for Sprint (Primary and Secondary) Competition 1 - Sprint (Primary and Secondary) End of Competition 1 Lunch Quarantine for Strength (Primary School) and Slalom (Secondary School) Competition 2 Strength (Primary School) and Slalom (Secondary School) End of Competition 2 Prize Giving Ceremony * The organizer reserves the right to make changes to the MRO programme and dates. 7

COMPETITION : RULES AND REGULATIONS General Guidelines 1. This competition is open to all students in schools and colleges below the age of 18. 2. Each team creates an autonomous robot to participate in the competition tournament(s). 3. Each team comprises 2 to 3 students and one teacher. 4. Official competition kit for Primary and Secondary School categories consists of: a. 1 9794 LMFS Team Challenge Set b. 1 ROBOLAB Software 2.5.4 c. 1 Angle Sensor (optional) 5. The competition kit and/or construction materials, particularly of the winning teams, will be randomly checked on the day of the competition. 6. Participating teams must prepare one A4 page presentation in English. In case of tieresult, team would then be required to make a presentation to the judges. Competition Format 1. Category and events Category Primary School Ages (Years) Up to 12 Secondary School 13-18 Events 1. Sprint : Pretzel Puzzle 2. Strength : Tug of War 1. Sprint : Kuala Lumpur Traffic 2. Slalom : Hockey Practice 2. Each category has two events. 3. There will be a winner for each event. 4. Events for the Secondary School Category will be more challenging than those for Primary School Category. 8

Definitions (Primary and Secondary) 1. Playing Field is defined as the white coloured flat and level floor for the robots to run on. All playing fields must have the overall dimensions not exceeding 1,600mm. 2,000mm. 2. Track line is defined as the black coloured line of 18-25mm.(width) that is laid down on the playing fields. Unless specifically stated otherwise, robots must be calibrated to recognize and follow the track line. The calibration can be done at the trial period. 3. Wall is defined as the white coloured vertical structure of at least 70mm.(height) 5mm.(thickness), used to prevent robots from going further. Robots are not allowed to climb over the walls. 4. Color patch is defined as the 50mm. 50mm. rectangular patch, in the color that has the intensity approximately half way between black and white, immediately adjacent to the track line. A colour patch presented in each particular playing field is used to signal to the robots to perform task specified in the rule of the playing field. A robot must be calibrated to recognise the colour patch. The calibration can be done at the trial period. 5. Match is defined as a particular competing duration of the robot, either in time-trial format or elimination format, which results in a score being awarded to the robot. 6. Round is defined as a collection of matches competed under the same specific playing fields and rules that are scheduled to provide equal, fair and competitive chance for all the robots entering the competition. 7. Tournament is defined as a collection of all rounds under the same playing fields and rules. 8. Operator is defined as a student member of the team designated as the one who starts and stops the robot in a match. 9. Match Area is defined as the area around each playing field condoned off from spectators, non-competing teams and non-operators of competing teams of a particular match. 9

General Rules (Primary, Secondary) 1. The referees have the ultimate authority during the Malaysia Robot Olympiad. Their decisions are final. Referees will not review recorded replays after the match is complete. 2. If a referee disqualifies a team, the disqualified robot must be turned off immediately and will not score any points for that match. 3. A team may not gain advantage or win a match by breaking rules, even by accident. 4. Deliberately damaging the playing fields will result in an immediate disqualification. 5. Deliberately damaging the opponent s robot will result in an immediate disqualification. 6. Team members and the mentor / teacher must not intervene or interfere with the operation of the robot of their own team or that of the opponents, physically or remotely. Interference will result in an immediate disqualification. 7. Altering the specification(s) of the playing fields or robot components (e.g., the motor) will result in an immediate disqualification. 8. Standard batteries will be provided during the tournament. The robot can only use power from the provided batteries. The use of non-standard power supply will result in an immediate disqualification. 9. Only the operator of the competing team is allowed into the match area during the match. 10. A robot is declared miss-track when all of its wheels are on the same side of the track line. Miss-tracking will result in the immediate conclusion of the match for that robot concerned (but not necessarily its opponent). 11. A robot is declared miss-colour when it fails to do specific task associated with a colour patch. Miss-colouring will result in the immediate conclusion of the match for the robot concerned (but not necessarily its opponent). 12. The dimension of the robot must not exceed 200mm. 200mm. 200mm., including installed batteries, at rest. During the competition, the robot may change its own dimensions only with absolutely no human intervention. 13. All robots must be submitted to the central repository before the beginning of each competition round. The team is prohibited from modifying its robot while the particular round is not yet concluded. However, batteries may be changed at the beginning of each match. 14. In the event of a conflict in the translation of the rules, the English version is considered the correct and final version. 10

COMPETITION : AWARDS STRUCTURE Preliminary Competition 1. Primary School Category Events Sprint and Strength Event winner GOLD: Event winner SILVER: Event winner BRONZE: Trophy and RM200 cash. Trophy Trophy 2. Secondary School Category Events Sprint and Slalom Events winner GOLD: Trophy and RM200 cash. Events winner SILVER: Trophy Events winner BRONZE: Trophy Medals will be awarded to all members of the winning teams and certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants. Final Competition 1. Primary School Category Events Sprint and Strength Event winner GOLD: LEGO Trophy and RM500 cash. Event winner SILVER: LEGO Trophy and RM300 cash. Event winner BRONZE: LEGO Trophy and RM200 cash. 2. Secondary School Category Events Sprint and Slalom Events winner GOLD: LEGO Trophy and RM500 cash. Events winner SILVER: LEGO Trophy and RM300 cash. Events winner BRONZE: LEGO Trophy and RM200 cash. Medals will be awarded to all members of the winning teams and certificates of participation will be awarded to all participants. 11

MRO2005 COMPETITION : PRIMARY CATEGORY 1. Sprint Pretzel Puzzle (Possible) START/FINISH Line Intersection Turn Radius Not Less Than 150 mm. 90 degree turn NOT EXCEED 1,500 mm. x 1,500 mm. Objective The robot is required to trace the track line from the starting point and complete the circuit in the shortest time possible. Successful passing through each feature in the circuit is awarded extra points. Game Rules 1. The circuit dimensions must not exceed 1,500mm. 1,500mm. 2. The circuit must compose of at least one of each of the following four features: a. Straight-lines. b. Right-angle Turns. c. Curves. All curves must not have a turning radius smaller than 150mm. d. Intersections. The robot must cross the intersection without turning. All intersections must be at 90 degrees. 3. The number and exact sequence of the features will be announced on competition day and will be used for the whole tournament. 4. The starting point will be selected randomly and announced on competition day and will be used for the whole tournament. 5. The trial playing field (and trial starting point) will be provided at the trial period. It may not be the same as the tournament playing field. 6. The robot must trace the track line from the starting point, complete the circuit, and come back to the finish line (the same location as the starting point). 7. The robot must be immediately stopped by its operator when the referee declares it as miss-tracked, or when it has successfully crossed the finish line. 12

2. Strength Tug of War 1,500 mm. Grommet Pole (height 200 mm.) Track line 900 mm. 750 mm. Marker Rope (900 mm.) Hook Objective The robot has to pull the rope, and thus its opponent, onto its side while tracing the straight line. Game Rules 1. The playing field dimensions are 1,500mm. 750mm. 2. The playing field consists of a. One straight track line of 900mm in length. b. One 200mm. high pole, perpendicularly located at the mid-point of the track line. c. One grommet at the top of the pole. d. One 700 mm. rope passing through the grommet. At both ends of the rope are hooks to attach to the competing robots. e. One marker at the exact centre of the rope. 3. The robot must have an attachment point to hook up with the rope. 4. The match begins by attaching the rope to the robots with the marker exactly centre of the grommet. 5. When the referee signals the beginning of the match, the robot must pull at the rope while simultaneously tracking the line. 6. The robot that miss-tracks will immediately lose the match. 7. The match lasts 120 seconds. The robot that pulls the marker to its side wins. 13

MRO2005 COMPETITION : SECONDARY CATEGORY 1. Sprint - Kuala Lumpur Traffic Track line (18-25mm) Color Patch (50mmx50mm) Play Field (1,500mm X 1,500mm) Robot must ignore color patches behind intersection Traveling Direction Track Line At least 300mm between intersections intersection Robot must Turn left Color Patch (50x50 mm) 18-25 mm Intersection (possible) Start/Finish Line Objective The robot is required to trace the track line from the starting point, turn or cross the intersection according to the traffic lights represented as the color patches, and cross the finishing line in the shortest time possible. Successfully passing through each intersection is awarded extra points. Game Rules 1. The course dimensions must not exceed 1,500mm. 1,500mm. 2. The course has the 3 3 grid of Intersections that are set at least 300mm. apart. 3. There will be colour patches in front of the intersections. The robot must do the following: Left Colour Patch Right Colour Patch No No Yes No No Yes Robot Action Go Forward Turn Left Turn Right 4. The robot must ignore the colour patch(s) behind the intersection. 5. The starting line will be one of the possible 12 start/finishing lines. It will be selected randomly and announced on competition day and will be used for the whole tournament. 6. The finish line will be one of the possible 12 start/finishing lines depending on the configuration of the colour patch(s) on the playing field. 7. The number and exact placement of the colour patches will be announced on the competition day and will be used for the whole tournament. 8. The trial playing field (and trial starting point) will be provided at the trial period. It may not be the same as the tournament playing field. 14

2. Slalom Hockey Practice Objective The robot must navigate through the open door(s) on the wall to reach the finishing line in the shortest time possible. Successful passing through each wall is awarded extra points. Game Rules 1. The course dimensions are 1,500mm. 2,000mm. 2. The course consists of a. Three layers of horizontal (obstacle) walls. b. Door guides, which are vertical track lines that guide the robot to the centre of both open and closed doors. c. Horizontal track lines which connect the door guides together. 3. The robot will be placed at the starting line. The robot must trace the horizontal track line, turn and trace the door guide. 4. The number and location of all doors will be announced on the competition day and will be used for the whole tournament. 5. The number and location of the open doors will be announced on the competition day and will be used for the whole tournament. 6. The trial playing field (and trial door configuration) will be provided at the trial period. It may not be the same as the tournament playing field. 15