Running the Robot Game

October 10, 2015

For Referee Assistance, contact: Steve Scherrref@vadcfll.org

Trash Trek Robot Game

Robot Game Rules

• The FLL Robot Game is played by an autonomous robot

• A match is 2 1/2 minutes long. Teams get at least 1 minute to set up.

• Two game fields are joined back-to-back, with one team on each side

• Multiple table pairs may run simultaneously

Robot Game Rules

• Two members of a team may be at the table operating the robot

• The rest of the team stands nearby. Team members may tag in to become robot operators.

• Team may store objects in a box or on a cartTry to provide a stand at each table, e.g. tray table or chair

Robot Game Rules

• Cycling all teams through one match each is called a round

• Virginia/DC FLL Policy is to start each team with one non-scoring practice round. The practice round is very helpful—both for volunteers and for teams

• Each team has at least 3 scoring matches 3 rounds• The team’s best score in any scoring match is what

counts

Robot Game Rules

• Missions are results or actions worth points• After the match, the referee records the state of the

playing field on a scoresheet and gets agreement from the team

• The Scorekeeper uses the scoring program to total points and compile results

Robot Game Logistics

• Volunteers:– Head ref and table referees

• Training before the day of the event is highly encouraged– Referee assistants/table setters for each side– Scorekeeper(s), Timekeeper, Score Runners, Emcee, DJ

• Post team scores for each round– E.G. projector or butcher paper. Copy in pit at end of each round?

• Match Schedule– Allow longer spacing between matches at a table for practice round

and round 1 (e.g. 10 or 9 minutes)– Can shorten spacing for later rounds (e.g. 8 or 7 minutes)

• Spectators want to see their team—will you allow near tables, or cordon off competition area?

Tournament Specific Information

• Notify in advance and in coaches meeting• Accessibility issues• Spectator rules• Space for box on stand or cart near table

Will you provide stands?• Option: Coaches nearby during a match

• Steve’s Suggestions:– Start judging before table rounds—refs can visit pit – End judging before table rounds—judges can deliberate

Head Referee Orientation

October 10, 2015Steve Scherr

ref@vadcfll.org

Tournament Goal

• The team members should have fun showcasing their efforts of the past weeks

• Referees do this mostly through expert application of the rules

• Celebrate and spread the word

Head Referee Role

• Recruit and train table referees– Learn and Practice– Training session in advance of the tournament is great

• Govern the Competition Floor– Coaches’ Meeting– Observe the tables– Coordinate table activity

• Support the table referees– Referee Conferences– Explaining rulings

Referee Training

• Learn the materials– Field setup + Missions + Rules + Updates

• Practice!– Think about situations– Practice matches– Talk it over

• Referee Training Calls– National call TBA– VA/DC weekly calls with tournament directors, Wed 8pm– Questions on e-mail list or direct to ref@vadcfll.org

Referee Training

• Pre-Tournament meeting– Hands-on on the field, model set/reset– Review rules and missions– Length depends on experience level

• Morning Meeting– Discuss local ground rules– Set the Stage

• Visit the Pit/Practice tables--talk to the teams

Govern the Competition Floor

• Observe the tables– Float around

• Coordinate table activity– Start of match– Breaks, Assignments

• Interact with Teams and Emcee• Spare parts & model repair support

Support the Table Referees

• Referee Conferences– To discuss a particular ruling– Between rounds: issues or unique situations

• Explaining rulings– Extended discussions of the rules should be with the Head

Ref, not the Table Ref -- need to stay on schedule, have a cooling-off zone

• Breaks!

Referee Training

October 10, 2015Steve Scherr

ref@vadcfll.org

Tournament Goal

• The team members should have fun showcasing their efforts of the past weeks

• Referees do this mostly through expert application of the rules

• Celebrate and spread the word

Table Referee Role

• Learn and Practice!• Inspect the Field• Govern the Action• Make Judgment Calls• Record Performance

Make the RIGHT call

Learn and Practice

• If the tournament schedule permits, referees should try to visit the pit area and watch teams at the practice tables

• Team members will have questions, and you can see any unusual strategies that you might want to alert the rest of the refs about

• Focus on: Updates, Rules, Missions

Inspect the Field

• You may have a Table Setter/Referee Assistant to help you reset the field between matches, but the ref is responsible for the condition of the field

• If there are any errors or possible errors seen during the match, the team gets the Benefit of the Doubt, and any points associated

• Focus on Field Setup and Missions

Govern the Action

• Put the children at ease– They will be nervous, especially in the first round– Calm and reassure

“What does your robot do first?” “What’s really cool?”“Does your robot have a name?” “Favorite mission?”

– Joke, wear funny hats– Get down to their level

Govern the Action

• Allow or Not Allow action– There is no unfair or cheating– There is only allowable (let it happen) and not allowable

(try to correct it)– No penalties—except as described in the rules (D09)– No do-overs for allowable action (D06)– Remind the team if something isn’t allowable

– Two team members at the table at one time. (R08)• Others may swap in at any time.• Exception: major emergency repair

Govern the Action

• Launches and Re-Launches (R12)– Robot and everything (in control of the team) that is will

use during its next Autonomous period is completely within Base• May not place an object in Base after Robot leaves Base to be

encountered later while Autonomous– Base has a 12” height limit (D02)– Nothing is moving!– The Technicians aren’t touching anything (but we know

that we have to allow leniency for Robot button)– Activate Robot with one hand or passively by timer

• Match start—beginning of the last word/sound in the countdown (“3-2-1-Lego!)

Govern the Action

• Determine where objects are kept after they are moved– Active robot makes changes – leave them alone (R12) – Robot touched/interacted (D05) with (R13)

– “In Safety” – Robot and Models are assessed independently of each other

Robot ModelCompletely in

Safety OK—no penalty OK—keep it

Not Safe Interruption penalty

(1) With robot on last launch—keep it

(2) Otherwise, take out of play

Govern the Action

• Pieces of a broken Robot– recover, no penalty (R14) • Can’t negatively affect other team, unless allowed in a

Mission (R16)• Can’t score by breaking the field (R15)

– May take large package apart• Models must detach when Robot is pulled away (D08)

• Teams may store objects near Base, or off table (R11)– May not interfere with active robot– May be held by other team members– May not be on the floor– Mission models must stay in sight of referee

Govern the Action

• Make Judgment Calls– Take the wording at face value (GP2)– Give Benefit of the Doubt (GP3)

• If you have to measure, then the team gets it– Talk it over with the Head Referee (R18)

• Focus on Updates, Rules, MissionsFairness is Job #1, but not Goal #1

Gracious Professionalism

• Gracious Professionals compete hard against PROBLEMS, while treating PEOPLE with respect and kindness people from their own team as well ‐people from other teams

• Gracious Professionals build onto other people’s ideas instead of resisting or defeating them

Record Performance

• Scores are determined by the condition of the field when the match is over (R17/R18)– But 2 missions have method constraints

• Nobody touches the field until you are ready (R17)– Stop robot, maybe retrieve pieces

• Review the field with one or two team members; get agreement; send info to Scorer

• Focus on Missions, Updates

Trash Trek Robot Game

Robot Game Administration

• Know match start procedure, signal for end of match, how to deliver scoresheets

• Be quick but not hasty in scoring

• Lots of movable pieces lots to reset, don’t let teams walk away until you know you have all your Model pieces

Field Setup

• Mat is flush against south wall (long edge)• Mat is centered east-west (short edges)

– May have tape at ends. No Dual-Lock under mat!!• 7 Models start in Base• Penalty items start with referee, e.g. on East wall• Precision setup for several models• Mark Green Bins with black/white to identify side• Lots of movable pieces lots to reset, don’t let

teams walk away until you know you have all pieces

Mission Details• M01: Using Recycled Material

– SCORING CONDITION: Green bin from other team with at least one matching blue/yellow bar is completely in Safety

**This counts for both teams**– METHOD: came via West Transfer (M04)– SETUP: Black/white markers on Green bins.

• M02: Methane– SCORING CONDITION: Methane in truck engine or factory

power station– SETUP: Methane in holder, aligned with mat marks.

Mission Details• M03: Transport

– SCORING CONDITION: Truck supports all of Yellow Bin’s weight

– SCORING CONDITION: Yellow Bin is completely east of truck’s guide

– SETUP: Truck pointing west, arrow at front wheels. Yellow bin on Sorter

Mission Details• M04: Sorting

– SCORING CONDITION: Yellow/Blue bars are in their matching Green Bin and• never in West Transfer Area –or--• in other team’s Base via West Transfer –or—• completely in West Transfer

– METHOD: Path of bin is important– SETUP: 4 bars in red Sorter tray, 1 yellow bar in yellow tray,

studless side down, tray on sorter. Plastic bag inserted. Green bins on bracket axle

– SETUP: 12 bars in Building, 2 yellow in Base, 4 black with ref, 4 in large package

Mission Details• M05: Careers

– SCORING CONDITION: A person is in the Sorter Area– SETUP: Two people in Base– BONUS: May have ref or team clear Sorter chute jam or fix

mis-sorting, if person in Sorter Area

• M06: Scrap Cars– SCORING CONDITION: The Car is folded and completely in

the East Transfer Area –or—– SCORING CONDITION: The Engine/Windshield is installed

properly in the unfolded car– SETUP: Car facing west, arrow at front tire.

Engine/Windshield in Base

Mission Details• M07: Cleanup

– SCORING CONDITION:• Plastic bags are completely in Safety• Animals are completely in circle without bags

– BONUS: Chicken in small Landfill Circle– SETUP:

• Plastic bags on mark in circle and in sorter• Turtle on mark in circle• Octopus, Chicken in Base

Mission Details• M08: Composting

– SCORING CONDITION:• Compost Ejected• Compost completely in Safety

– SETUP: • Precision setup. • Compost inserted with studs up

Mission Details• M09: Salvage

– SCORING CONDITION:• Valuables completely in Safety

• M10: Demolition– SCORING CONDITION:

• None of the Building’s 12 beams is in original setup position– SETUP: Building constructed, on mark, with studless plates

facing west. Perfect alignment is not required. Valuables inserted from the east.

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Mission Details

• M011: Purchasing Decisions– SCORING CONDITION:

• Toy plane completely in Safety– SETUP: Plane in small package on mark in East

Transfer area. Plane in large package in Factory

• M012: Repurposing– SCORING CONDITION: Compost is perfectly nested in

a toy package. The Package is in original condition– NOTE: Can’t pile black bars on Flower Box and claim

that the package is in original condition

Mission Details

• General Setup:– Loops should be rounded and not rotated/deflected.– Seven mission models start in Base

• Two people, two yellow bars, octopus, chicken, engine/windshield– Keep the models in original condition by straightening and

tightening solid connections often. Ensure that spinning axles spin freely by checking for end-to-end play and replacing any that are bent.

Mission Details• MISSION: PENALTIES (D09, R13, R14)

– SCORING CONDITION:• Penalty object has been placed on Mat in out-of-the way place

– SETUP:• Referee places 4 penalty objects in start location.

– NOTES:• Penalty items may be moved out of the Robot’s way, but must stay

as negative scoring items.

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Penalties

• Interruption Penalty (R13)– Interrupt robot when not completely in Safety

• Junk Penalty (D09, R14)– For each piece of Equipment stranded outside

Safety at the end of the match.– For each piece of Equipment stranded partially in

Safety during the Match.

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Rule Details

• The rules are concise, and have some gaps...

• Robot is controller and Equipment “combined” with it (D10)⇒R13 doesn’t distinguish transported Equipment, so

treat Equipment being transported as part of the Robot

• Undoing unallowable action – is it allowed?✔Team grabs stuff that falls out of Base (R12-6)⇒Changes made by Robot outside Safety stay (R12-5)⇒ Interference is mitigated (R16)⇒GP1-1

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Storage and Workspace (R11)

• Can handle and store “allowable things”⇒ Allowable Equipment (R01-R06) can be allowable things,

based on dictionary meaning⇒ Models are probably allowable things, since bullet two

identifies an exception that includes them⇒ R13 & R14 tell the team to “keep” things. These are “in the

team’s control”, so probably these are “allowable things” (but this is a bit of a leap)

Interpret Allowable Things as allowable Equipment plus Models that are in control of the team, either because they brought them and haven't used them, or because they can keep them after stranding or interrupting.  Things in the team's control can be stored in Safety, partially in Safety, or off the table, but never on the floor.

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Storage and Workspace (R11)

• Storage allows things to non-strategically “extend out of Safety”– Can they be totally outside Safety? By dictionary

meaning, No. What do you think?– R12 prohibits extending anything outside of Base, but

GP2 allows us to gloss over that for Storage

• There’s no prohibition on strategic actions being done to items in Storage—could be done by non-technicians.– R10 only says don’t touch stuff on the Field outside

Safety.45

Glossary for Old-timersTrash Trek Term Old termTechnician Robot handler/driver/operator

(Re-)Launch (Re-)Start

In Completely In

Interruption Penalty Touch Penalty

Interrupt the Robot Touch the Robot/Rescue the Robot

Uninterrupted Robot Autonomous Robot, Active Robot

Stranding an object Losing contact with an object (Stray Object)

Equipment Attachments, Strategic Objects

Robot, Model Being Transported

Cargo

Safety ??? (involves, sprawl, tether, etc.)

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