🚀 go-pugleaf

Announcing:

      The Second BEAM Robot Olympics and Micromouse Competition:

                         Ontario Science Centre,
			Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
                            Apr 22 - 25, 1993

                             Sponsored by:
     IEEE Canada, VSPANS Robotics, and the University of Waterloo.


The  BEAM Robot Olympics is not so much a series of technological
competitions  as  a chance for robot enthusiasts to present their
designs   to   each other, the press, and the public.  It is also
an open forum for anyone who wants to get started in the field to
compete  and  compare.  Any and every robot will be considered so
long as it does not come exclusively from a kit or store.  Robots
of  similar  ability  will be pitted against each other in simple
competitions,  but generally robots will be judged on sophistica-
tion  of behavior, novelty of design, efficiency of power source,
and quality of hardware innovation.

Basically, if you built it, we'd like to see it.

The  BEAM  Olympics main events are (but not limited to) the fol-
lowing:


      SOLAROLLER: A self-starting robot dragster race.
      PHOTOVORE:  Robots face a closed "world" and each other.
      HIGH JUMP:Robot creature leaps, lands on feet.
      ROPE CLIMBING: First up, first down, self-starting.
      LEGGED RACE: Walking creatures run for the money.
      INNOVATION MACHINES: Electronic chopsticks, for example.
      ROBOART/MODIFICATION: Mechanical/electronic aesthetics that move.
      ROBOT SUMO: Push/Bash an opponent out of a ring.
      LIMBO RACE: How low can you build?
      NANOMOUSE: A smaller and simpler form of the...
      MICROMOUSE: Where metal mice race for aluminum cheese.


The Robot  Olympics  features a  decathlon of formal competitions
which   range in difficulty from simple to complex.  To this end,
there is  a guide available  which  contains  competition  rules, 
"get-started" instructions, discussion into the  new  science  of  
Artificial  Life  (Alife), and full  information  for anybody who 
might want to run their own BEAM Robotic Games.

Fresh  copies  of the Guide are available now at a cost of $10.00
Cdn,  $15  American  [US funds], and $20 international [US funds]
for  cost  of copying and postage.  Please make cheques or money-
orders  payable  to BEAM Robotics Inc.   Competitors are asked to
register  and  fill out a "behavior sheet" for their robot(s) and
more  competitions will be run based on the variety of robots who
do  show  up.   Those in a class by themselves are still eligible
for  major  awards,  and everybody will be included in the subse-
quent BEAM Olympic portfolio, documentaries, and videos.

All venues are open to the interested, young or old, so grab your
soldering  iron, raid the junk pile, and we'll see you there.

For  more  information  on the BEAM Robot Olympics, other robotic
competitions, and weird robotics in general, contact:


               BEAM Robot Olympics
               c/o: Mark W. Tilden
               MFCF, University of Waterloo
               Ontario, Canada
               N2L-3G1
               (519)885-1211 x2454

               E-mail: mwtilden@watmath.uwaterloo.ca


The  rest  of  this  article  concentrates  on general competitor
guidelines  and  the entrance form.  If you want to be put on the
real-mail  list, please complete and send in the entrance form by
real-mail.  If  possible,  include  a picture of your competitor.
Updates and  further  details  will be  posted  to this and other 
relevant newsgroups as they become available.

        -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Rules and General Guidelines:

These  are  the  rules  and  guidelines for the Second BEAM Robot
Olympic  Games.  Although the spirit of these Olympics stress few
formal  restrictions,  these are some guidelines which every com-
petitor should follow.  If a design does not fit these parameters
or  may  but you're not sure, please contact the organizers for a
ruling.   Consideration  will be given to very innovative or ima-
ginative  designs.   The  BEAM  Olympics  is meant as an informal
meeting  of  mind and robo-critter with the public and the media.
It is hoped that everyone will abide by this spirit.

All those wishing to compete should fill out and send in a regis-
tration  form  for all robotic competitor(s) before Monday, April
5,  1993  to  be  included  in the show dossier.  Entries will be
allowed after that, but they will not make that years dossier.  A
copy  of  the  registration  form is included at the back of this
post.   All  who register  will be put on a mailing list and kept
informed of upcoming events.


GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ROBOTIC COMPETITORS:

-  All  robotic devices must be either entirely custom built or a
heavily  modified toy.  No commercial, store bought or kit robots
will  be allowed without heavy physical modification (modified or
improved  software  is  not  sufficient  modification).   "Heavy"
defined   as   permanent  structural/electronic  additions  which
extend, replace or enhance a functional aspect of the device (ie:
replace  batteries with solar engine, add functional arms, inter-
face  a unique touch/vision system, etc.).  Any devices made from
commercial  construction kits (ie: Lego, Mecanno, etc.) must also
feature  obviously  non-commercial,  custom  elements to indicate
sufficient intent of innovation.

-  All robotic entries should be self-contained or have an option
where  they  can  execute  behavior  without  human intervention.
Tele-operated mechanisms are allowable only if it is obvious they
have  been  designed  around some BEAM competition guidelines, or
are  for some autonomous task-oriented purpose (ie: tele-operated
moon rover with retrieval claw).  Commercial radio controlled kit
models  will  not  be  allowed  unless they have undergone severe
technical modifications.  Devices which do not feature some auto-
nomous ability are allowed, but will loose critical style points.

-  Any robotic entry may be disqualified if too large (ie: bigger
than  a  standard upright refrigerator). The sole reason for this
is  that  display  space,  access  doors,  and power are limited.
Exceptions  may be granted for exceptional, self-powered entries.
Please contact the organizers for a ruling.

-  Any  robotic  competitor  which is obviously of mass-produced,
commercial  manufacture  and/or  performs an obviously commercial
task  shall  be disqualified as a competitor.  We don't want this
to  be  a blatant advertising opportunity for major corporations,
that's  what  trade shows are for.  Corporate research and design
prototypes  are  the  exception  but  they must be represented by
their  designer at the competition, not by the corporation.  How-
ever,  robotics  companies are allowed to hand out cards, flyers,
posters, and device specifications.

-  If  a robotic entry must use wall current, it can use only one
plug  at a nominal amperage (120 VAC, 3 Amps maximum drain).  Any
robot  which  uses  a  combustion process will be discouraged for
safety  reasons,  and  will not be allowed to run inside the com-
petition auditorium.

-  For  the  most  part, no "violent" robotic competitors will be
allowed;  that is, no competitor may have a functionally destruc-
tive  capacity  (ie:  drills,  cutters,  soldering  iron,  flame-
thrower,  chainsaw,  etc.)  although decorative or whimsical ele-
ments  along this line are allowed (ie: waterpistols).  Likewise,
any  robotic competitor which may damage the competition courses,
other robot competitors, organizers or audience will be disquali-
fied.   Robotic  competitors may interfere with each other during
the  course  of simultaneous runs (where rules permit) so long as
they  do  not  violate  the "no damage" rule.  Anybody who justly
feels his/her device could be damaged by another entrant will not
suffer  penalties  for  not  competing  in that trail.  Likewise,
entrants  who accept that their designs could suffer major damage
will  also  be  respected  (ie:  No-holds-barred Robosumo).  BEAM
Robotics   and  affiliates  take  no  responsibility  for  damage
incurred  by or afflicted on robotic devices, persons, or reputa-
tions during the course of competition.

-  No robotic competitors can employ biological components (rats,
chickens,  lemon/potato batteries, jello, etc.) except by special
permission  from  the  organizers.  Even then, no devices will be
allowed which harm biologics in any way.

-  Multitalented robotic competitors are encouraged, however such
capabilities  must  be declared ahead of time on the registration
form as part of the robot's behavior description.

-  Partially  finished  robotic  competitors  are  allowed  (even
encouraged) to compete so long as there is some function they can
exhibit to show what they may eventually be capable of.

Again,  if  you  are  in  doubt as to the validity of your entry,
please  contact  the  organizers  directly  at  the University of
Waterloo.   Exceptions  will be made for particularly imaginative
entries.

        -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The 1993 BEAM Robot Olympics REGISTRATION FORM:

This  form must be signed and returned by all members who wish to
attend  the  show.   All  robot  competitors must have a separate
registration  form.   A   clear  color  or black and white photo-
graph  (ideally  4"x6")  of each competitor is politely requested
for  the  Olympic  Dossier.  All photos become  the  property  of
the   Olympics  organizers  and  cannot  be  returned.   All  who
register   will  be  put  on  a  mailing list and kept abreast of
upcoming events.

The  registration  fee is $40 per attending entrant per team ($20
per  student  entrant  with  proof).   Any team may enter as many
robots  as  they wish.  The fee must be paid by cheque or cash on
or before the day of competition.  Please make out all cheques to
the  BEAM  Robot Olympics. If you do not register in advance, you
can  register on the day of competition (up to noon of Sat, April
24,  1993), however, you must pay the registration fee to compete
even if you do not attend the entire conference.

Any  prizes  awarded  must  be accepted as given. No cash substi-
tutes,  exchanges,  or  device  warrentys  will be honored by the
Olympic organizers.

Good luck and hope to see you there.



     TEAM MEMBER DETAILS:

     Team Name (if applicable): _______________________________________


     Name ___________________________________________________ Age _____

     Address: Street/apt/town _________________________________________

              Country/Zipcode _________________________________________


     Name ___________________________________________________ Age _____

     Address: Street/apt/town _________________________________________

              Country/Zipcode _________________________________________

     Name ___________________________________________________ Age _____

     Address: Street/apt/town _________________________________________

              Country/Zipcode _________________________________________


     Institute Name (if any): _________________________________________


     If you are active on Internet, please enclose your electronic mailing
     address:

     Internet E-mail Address: _________________________________________


     Robot Details:

     Name ___________________________________________________ Age _____

     Behavior (please use point form):_________________________________

     __________________________________________________________________

     __________________________________________________________________

     __________________________________________________________________

     __________________________________________________________________

     __________________________________________________________________

     __________________________________________________________________

     __________________________________________________________________

     Please check which BEAM event your entrant may qualify for:

                         ___     SOLAROLLER
                         ___     PHOTOVORE
                         ___     HIGH JUMP
                         ___     ROPE CLIMBING
                         ___     LEGGED RACE
                         ___     INNOVATION MACHINES
                         ___     ROBOART
                         ___     BEST MODIFIED TOY
                         ___     ROBOT SUMO
                         ___     NANOMICE
                         ___     MICROMOUSE

     If none of the above, please state what skill best describes your
     device:

     __________________________________________________________________

     Do you wish to give a lecture on your device or some related aspect?

                          yes ____
                          no  ____

     If yes, please describe your topic in two sentences:

     (For example:
     Topic: Waterpistol Warfare:

               A general discussion on the science of attack
               waterpistols for carnage and general irritation.
               Design and construction principles will be discussed
               detailing how major design problems were overcome.

               Speakers: Mark Tilden.)

     Topic: _________________________________________________________

            _________________________________________________________

            _________________________________________________________

            _________________________________________________________

            _________________________________________________________

            _________________________________________________________

     Speakers: ______________________________________________________

            _________________________________________________________

            _________________________________________________________

     What extra equipment will you need?

                TV                              ___
                Overhead Projector              ___
                VHS VCR                         ___
                Slide Projector                 ___
                Other _____________________________

     I/We hereby declare that I/We will not hold IEEE Canada, BEAM Robotics,
     The University of  Waterloo, any sponsor, or the Ontario Science Centre
     responsible  for any  loss, damage  or  injury  that may occur while in
     attendance at the 1993 BEAM Robot Olympics  and Micromouse Competition.
     I/We have read the BEAM Olympics  Guidelines, have  understood them and
     will comply to the restrictions stated therein.

     Signature: Team leader   ______________________________________________


                Team Members  ______________________________________________


                              ______________________________________________


                              ______________________________________________


Is all.


-- 
Mark Tilden: _-_-_-__--__--_      /(glitch!)  M.F.C.F Hardware Design Lab.
-_-___       |              \  /\/            U of Waterloo. Ont. Can, N2L-3G1
     |__-_-_-|               \/               (519)885-1211 ext. 2454 
"MY OPINIONS, YOU HEAR!? MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! AH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!"