Dance Challenge

Dress up your robot and program it to dance to your favourite music.

Dance rules (2011)
No changes to the rules see below

The most important rule for RoboCupJunior Dance  is 7.5.3!

Preface -- RoboCupJunior Dance performance:

RoboCupJunior Dance encourages teams to create a stage performance with which a robot(s) performs to or with music (1 to 2 min). We have recognized two types within the dance performance -- Dance and Theatre Performance. The Dance includes performances with which a robot(s) dances to music. Teams are encouraged to synchronize a robot(s) to music. The Theatre Performance includes performances with which a robot(s) acts with music. This also includes a robot(s) playing (i.e., acting or pretending to play) the instruments or singing.

1. STAGE. 

1.1. Size.

1.1.1. The dance stage will be a flat area. The size of the performance area will be a marked rectangular area of 6 x 4 m for robots (with the 6m side facing the judges) . Human members can perform inside or outside this marked area. When the whole body (main body itself, not including any huge extention from the body) of a robot moves outside the marked boundary of the performance area, it will not disqualified, but receive a score penalty. Human performers may be outside this marked area. Any performance involving a height greater than 4m vertically from the stage floor must be discussed with the judges and permission sought. The boundary of the performance area will be marked with a 50mm black tape line, surrounded by a 20mm red tape line. This will enable programming to be used to identify which side of the boundary a robot finds itself. The floor provided shall be made of flat (non-glossy) white painted MDF (compressed wood fibre). Teams are encouraged to practice on the same flooring type to reduce set-up time at the International competition. While floor joints will be taped to make them as smooth as possible, robots must be prepared for irregularities of up to 3 mm in the floor. 

1.2. Lighting.

1.2.1. The organizers may make variable lighting including spotlights available, but teams should not expect the performance area to always be able to be darkened, with direct, intense spotlights available. (Hint: It is recommended that teams design their robots to cope with variations in lighting conditions, as lighting naturally varies from venue to venue. I f necessary, teams should come prepared to calibrate their robots based on the lighting conditions at the venue.) 

1.3. Scenery.

1.3.1. Teams are encouraged to provide their own scenery. Organizers will endeavour to provide a projection screen and projector for teams wishing to use images from a digital source (e.g., computer) at the rear of the performance area as part of their performance. 

2. ROBOTS.

2.1. Size.

2.1.1. Robots may be of any size.

2.2. Team.

2.2.1. There may be any number of robots on a team.

2.2.2. Each team may perform one and only one routine. The performance of that same routine will be repeated if they proceed to the finals for their division. Some modifications (improvements) of the performance using the same music may be accepted. Please consult with judges if you have any questions regarding performance modications.

2.3. Control.

2.3.1. Robots must be controlled autonomously. No member of the team may make physical contact with the robot while it performs, unless this forms part of the performance and has been discussed and approved by the judges PRIOR to the performance. Robots must also be 'wirefree' in that they must not be connected to a computer or other management device, including power sources, while performing.

2.3.2. Robots may be started by humans, either manually or with remote control. See also 7.1.3.

2.4. Costumes.

2.4.1. Costumes for robots and/or human performers are encouraged, and will be awarded points.

3. ROUTINE.

3.1. Duration.

3.1.1. Each team will have a total of 5 minutes for their presentation. NOTE that this time includes the time for set-up, a possible and encouraged introduction and the performance, including any re-starts due to factors under the team's control. It does not include time needed for packing up and clearing the stage. 
3.1.2. The duration of a performance routine is no more than 2 minutes and no less than 1 minute.

3.1.3. If a team exceeds the time limits explained in 3.1.1 and 3.1.2 in any way by reasons that are their only fault, it will be penalized in assessment. The judges will start one clock at the moment a team member steps on the stage for the 5 minutes period, and another clock at the beginning of the music for the 2 minutes performance period.

3.2. Music.

3.2.1. Teams must provide their own audio source (music) in a Compact Disc (CD-R, CD-RW) in one of the following formats: Audio track; MP3 file. These should be the only accepted audio sources with one (and only one!) file or audio track for the entire routine. Music should be given to the sound technicians during a team's practice period. Teams are encouraged to bring more than 2 copies of the CD. Each CD should contain only one copy of the music that the team uses for their performance.

3.2.2. Teams are strongly encouraged to bring a good quality audio source (music) , since their evaluation depends also on the music quality.

3.2.3. The music should commence at the beginning of the audio source (music) , after a silent leader of a few seconds.

3.2.4. The audio source (music) should be clearly labelled with the team's name.

3.3. Humans.

3.3.1. Human team members may perform along with their robots, and will be considered a 'prop.' There is no penalty for humans not performing with their robots.

3.3.2. However, human team members must not touch the robots (except to start them). See 2.3.1.

3.3.3. Human team members may touch a sensor(s) during a performance as a routine of the performance. The team HAS TO indicate and explain the routine to the judges during the interview.

3.4. Start of Routine.

3.4.1. An official will start the music for the routine.

3.4.2. One human team member (or several members if a team uses multiple robots and props) will start each robot, either by hand or remote control. (Hint: Teams are very strongly encouraged to program their robot to begin the routine a few seconds after the music starts. This is because it is extremely difficult to judge precisely when the music will sound after the audio source is started, and it is hard to time the robot's choreography without knowing exactly when the music will begin. Also, depending on the configuration of the dance stage and the sound system at the venue, it is possible that the human starting the robot will not be able to see the official starting the audio source; and vice versa. Teams should come prepared for these conditions.)

3.5. Re-starts and repeats.

3.5.1. Teams are allowed to restart their routine if necessary, at the discretion of the officials. Any re-start, unless due to a problem which is not the fault of the team, will result in a score penalty. A maximum of two re-starts will be allowed. After two re-starts, the team must continue with the penalty or leave the stage.

3.5.2. Teams are allowed to repeat their routine, at the discretion of the officials.


3.6. Security.

3.6.1. In order to avoid hazardous situations such as routines including explosions, smoke or flame, use of water, or other substances that could lead to dangerous situations, each team whose routine includes any situation that could be deemed hazardous, including a situation that damages the stage, must submit a report to the chief judge BEFORE the competition, outlining the content of their dance routine. At his/her discretion, the Chief Judge could request a demonstration of the activity. Teams not conforming to this request may not be allowed to present their routine, at the discretion of the Chief Judge. Wherever possible teams shall avoid the use of mains electricity for any aspect of their performance. If necessary, teams may apply to the Chief Judge PRIOR to performance for exemption from this rule.

4. COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ROBOTS

4.1 Communication between robots is encouraged however only if the source of communication is IR or BlueTooth. WLAN wireless communication is strongly prohibited with Junior teams since it might interfere with other leagues. Teams with robot communication MUST explain the device as well as program to the judges at the interview.


5. JUDGING. 

5.1. Authenticity and Originality.

5.1.1. All teams will be assessed through an interview, and performance of a dance routine. Each team's overall score will be decided by the total of their (best) performance and their interview.

5.1.2. The performance is to be unique. Teams who, in the opinion of the judges, have knowingly produced duplicate robots, costume or performance movement (duplicate music is allowed) will be interviewed by a panel of 3 Dance officials. Penalties for close duplication of another team or reuse of previous year's robots for the same team range from a possible 10% score penalty to a maximum penalty of exclusion from the competition.

5.2. Officials.

5.2.1. Performances will be judged by a panel of at least three officials, at least one of whom will judge all performances. This panel may be different to that assessing the interviews. Interviews will be judged by two officials, at least one of whom will be the same as one of the performance judges.

5.2.2. At least three officials for performances and at least two officials for interviews will be designated prior to the tournament.

5.2.3. The officials shall not have any close relationship with any of the teams in the age-group they judge .

5.3. Categories.

5.3.1 Performances will be judged according to the following categories:

• Programming (e.g., use of loops, jumps, sub-routines, type of programming language used, etc)
• Construction (e.g., robots should be of sound construction, components should not fall off, appropriate use of gearing, smooth and reliable operation, interesting movements, effective use of mechanics to achieve a purpose, designing own electronics, etc)
• Using Sensors effectively (e.g., to trigger different parts of the program, for detection of boundary line, etc. This category also includes 'other technologies' apart from sensors. Teams can earn more points for complexity and creativity of the sensor use.)
• Choreography (e.g., robots to move in time with music, and change actions as music changes tempo or rhythm. Choreography of humans and robots will be scored separately, etc.)
• Costume (Costume of humans and robots will be scored)
• Entertainment Value (e.g., How much does the performance entertain or delight the audience? Originality and creativity of the presentation, etc.)

• Programming;
• Construction;
• Using sensors;
• Choreography;
• Costume; and
• Entertainment Value.

• Collegiality award (the team who, by popular vote, has given the greatest support to other teams) -- this support can be in a number of ways, such as assistance with components, or friendship and encouragement). See 5.5.
• Best poster or best electronic demonstration
• Novice team award -- the primary and the secondary team who place highest in the competition overall, and where ALL members of the team are competing at RCJI for the first time (this does not include a team having team member(s) who has (have) competed in other challenges).