Author Archives: Valentin Hopf

RoboCup 2024: Knock-out Phase: TIGERs vs. ER-Force

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At 11:30 AM, we will play our first knockout phase game against TIGERs Mannheim. TIGERs won the RoboCup last year and have dominated all their games in this tournament so far. We expect a strong and challenging opponent. TIGERs play with a blue pattern color and their white shells. We play as the yellow team and have decided to remove the shell inlays due to heat issues. Therefore, our shells are translucent. RoboTeam Twente is streaming the game again with commentary. A special highlight in this game will be our robot handling. Dino from our mechanics team will be managing this in her dinosaur costume.

Both teams are getting ready. We currently have 13 functional robots. Hopefully, they will last as long as possible.

First Half:

5:00 Kickoff for TIGERs and we are competing well across the field, even managing to push the ball into TIGERs’ half.

4:30 Ball placement in TIGERs’ corner, but somehow it was assigned to TIGERs. Strongly parried by our defense and keeper. So far, we are seeing a balanced match, only slightly dominated by TIGERs. Both teams can place the balls very well, but unfortunately, we still stumble over some of our kicks. That’s unfortunate.

3:30 Many dangerous corners from TIGERs in front of our goal. But so far, we are holding up very well.

3:00 All our robots are still running. Shot on goal for TIGERs and converted. The score is 0:1. We have kickoff, stumble with the ball. Now we have to take a robot off, which is Dino’s entry. But TIGERs also commit a foul, so we are now playing 10 robots against 10. We need to free one of our robots in a timeout. So far, the game looks very good, considering how strongly TIGERs have dominated other opponents.

2:00 Another goal for TIGERs, 0:2. Their passing game is simply outstanding, allowing them to get past our defense.

1:00 Some crashes on our side, as our robots are still not driving precisely despite the new regulation. Therefore, we get another yellow card. TIGERs have a kickoff in our half, and we have to take another robot off beforehand. Unfortunately, our regulation still swings too much, and we keep collecting yellow cards, so we now have to play 10 robots against 11 permanently with a red card. It’s a shame, but the regulation has only been in place for a few games, and there are still some timing issues. Corner for TIGERs.

Nice chip from us. We are competing very well and even manage to take the ball from TIGERs a few times. End of the first half. During the halftime break, we need to cool down our robots again.

Second Half:

5:00 Kickoff for us, but unfortunately, we stumble again. Immensely good passing game for TIGERs across the field. Another goal for TIGERs, making it 0:3. Despite everything, we keep fighting bravely and defending as best as we can.

4:00 We produce another collision, but luckily our previous yellow card had already expired, and we didn’t get another red card.

3:30 The numerical disadvantage is very noticeable. TIGERs dominate and score another goal, making it 0:5.

3:00 Another goal for TIGERs. Our robots were clearly in the wrong position. Unfortunately, we keep missing our kicks and giving them away to TIGERs. Occasionally, our robots are also too fast, so we collect card after card. The score is 0:7.

2:00 Another corner for TIGERs. With our significant numerical disadvantage, the game is increasingly turning in favor of TIGERs. The score is 0:8. The next goal will end the game.

1:00 We have a kickoff in our half and bring the ball directly to TIGERs, where they immediately dominate again. They dribble freely and score another goal, 0:9. Can we hold on for the last few seconds of the game? Yes, we can. We are not defeated 0:10 by TIGERs. Considering TIGERs’ dominance and our significant numerical disadvantage, this is an acceptable result. TIGERs show off their victory moves, but our robots interfere a bit, causing some laughs among the spectators and team members.

We will play next at 3:00 PM against RoboDragons.

RoboCup 2024: Second Group Matchday

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Heat Issues

Since none of our matches lasted longer than an hour, it can be said with certainty that this RoboCup is one of the smoothest in a long time. We survived the first two matches of the day well against LUHBots and KIKS, but the heat issues became more severe. Despite a lot of code for error detection and handling, as well as constant tweaking of the regulation, a drastic decision had to be made. As Dino so nicely put it: “We fight fire with saws.” The solution to the heat problem was to saw off unnecessary parts from all module connector boards. Subsequently, the boards were sanded to avoid sharp edges. Meanwhile, heatsinks had to be attached to all motor boards, and the shells were perforated with holes. This several-hour job, which involved almost the entire team, paid off. In the match against ZJUNlict, we did not have a single heat-related failure, and we performed better than any other participant in Group A against them.

Group Matches

After playing our first group match against RobôCIn yesterday, we had three more group matches today. We started the day with a balanced match against KIKS, which ended 1:1 due to an unfortunate last-second goal. We won our match against LUHBots at noon clearly with 2:0. The last match of the group phase was our match against ZJU, where we defended strongly but ultimately lost 0:1 to this really good team. The results of the group stage can be seen below.

Standings

Position Group A Group B
1 ZJUNlict TIGERs
2 ER-Force Immortals
3 RobôCIn RoboDragons
4 KIKS Robo Team Twente
5 LUHBots

Outlook

By finishing second in our group, we qualified for the knockout phase. Our next match is tomorrow at 11:30 against TIGERs Mannheim. Since we start in the upper bracket of our double elimination tournament format, we still have at least one more game even if we lose this match, allowing us to stay in the tournament.

RoboCup 2024: Group Phase: ER-Force vs. ZJUNlict

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At 20:00, our last group match against the Chinese team ZJU, the strongest opponent in our group stage, begins. We are playing as the blue team with our white shells. ZJU is therefore yellow. Since they did not participate in the Black – White Shell Challenge, they can only play with black shells. They are already practicing their excellent dribbler. The game can be watched live again on RoboTeam Twente.

First Half:

5:00 – Kickoff for us, but ZJU immediately dominates the game.

4:30 – We defend many shots on our goal and take out a robot that stopped just before ZJU’s goal. Some confusion with placing robots. Our number 4 wants to substitute itself. One of our robots has lost a high-kick flap, and removing it due to parts is unfortunately another foul for us. We are only allowed to use 6 robots now.

4:00 – ZJU coldly dribbles past our defense and converts the chance. 0:1 for ZJU. Kickoff for us. Unfortunately, we fumble the ball reception. Ball placement for us, but we don’t shoot properly, and the chance goes to ZJU. Obviously, that was faulty because the shooting off was not decisive enough for a foul. So we can continue. When ZJU tries to place the next ball, their strategy crashes. Unfortunately, they can take a timeout immediately, and we can’t exploit this like other teams.

3:30 – Our keeper defends well, and the defense chips the ball out. Obviously, the auto-ref also has problems because its commands are coming in very late.

3:00 – Many duels just before our penalty area. Consequently, many dangerous situations, but all are well parried by our keeper and defense.

2:00 – Ball placement again. Our robot is not working properly, and it takes a bit longer. We lose this ball placement to ZJU.

1:30 – Our keeper works really well and prevents many goals. Nevertheless, we are strongly dominated by ZJU.

0:30 – Ball placement again. Our robots are driving erratically, and we take one out. Corner for ZJU, but well saved by us. The ball is out, and the half ends.

Halftime:

We cool the robots because they still have overheating problems. Laughs and photos from TIGERs.

Second Half:

5:00 – Kickoff for us. We shoot dangerously near ZJU’s goal several times. Once, we even manage to take the ball away from ZJU. We are definitely a serious opponent for ZJU, even though they continue to dominate us overall. This is mainly due to their precise passes and strong dribbling. We suspect that the auto-refs do not penalize too high kicks. Therefore, there is a brief pause for the referees.

4:00 – Some fouls on both sides. We are playing 7 vs. 7. Dangerous shot off the post by ZJU, but our keeper and defense hold very well. The ball is out, but both teams can’t really see it as it is in an awkward spot. Due to vision problems, there is a discussion and an attempt to fix the game state. The game continues.

3:00 – A lot is happening on the field, including many dangerous situations, but luckily we keep holding on.

2:00 – Passing plays across the entire field. We miss the ball placement, and ZJU takes over. First, however, there is a timeout for ZJU.

1:30 – Our strategy crashes in a very dangerous situation with the ball very close to our goal. Compared to ZJU, it restarts immediately, and we save the situation.

1:00 – Corner for ZJU. We switch to main aggressive. Maybe we can still score a goal. We hesitate very long in ball placement but just manage it. Crazy robot substitutions. The shot from ZJU on our goal is not a hit because it happened in a foul. A few last passes, and the ball is finally out. End.

0:1 against ZJU is a defeat, but we performed extremely well. A deserved result for both sides.

RoboCup 2024: Group Phase: ER-Force vs. luhbots

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Our second group match today is against LUHBots from Hannover. LUHBots is now the third German team in the SSL and has been participating in RoboCup since last year. Based on our observations and past games, we expect a balanced and exciting match. Kickoff is at 12:00. The Twente livestream will again show this game with live commentary.

We are playing 8 vs. 8 robots. ER-Force is playing with white shells and yellow pattern color. LUHBots is the blue team and wears black shells.

First Half:

5:00 – Kickoff for us, but something is not right as not all of our robots are moving. We take a timeout. Luckily, nothing happened and no goal was scored during this time.

4:30 – LUHBots places the ball in their half. We get the ball taken away just before LUHBots’ goal. Too bad, that could have been a good situation.

4:00 – Finally, more of our robots are on the field again. Ball placement in the corner next to LUHBots’ goal. Corner kick. Another new robot for us. Obviously, there were flash problems at the beginning. Shot on goal, but unfortunately just missed.

3:30 – Corner for us. That could have been a dangerous situation. Another attempt, and goal! 1:0 for us. Kickoff for LUHBots. Our number 0 has problems. Duel in our half. We commit a foul, and LUHBots gets a free kick. Luckily, our robots are dueling well.

3:00 – Ball placement, and LUHBots is in our half again. Battle in front of LUHBots’ goal. Good passing game, but unfortunately not converted, and we shoot out. Battle in the midfield, and we bring the ball back in front of LUHBots’ goal. The keeper from LUHBots has the ball.

1:30 – Very fast and fluid game. Passes across the field. We see two teams on par, playing very well together. Both LUHBots and we fail at ball placement, and there is no progress.

1:00 – Once again, we couldn’t manage to take the ball just before the goal, missing another good chance.

0:30 – Our number 7 is having problems again. This robot wants to get to the ball, and so not much is happening.

Halftime: We give our robots a breather. The game will resume in a few minutes. Nice to see how quickly such fluid games pass by.

Second Half:

5:00 – Kickoff for LUHBots. The ball is immediately pushed in front of LUHBots’ goal. And ball placement at the midfield. Duel at the midfield.

4:00 – Shot on goal by LUHBots, but unfortunately missed. We place the ball in the corner. Obviously a wrong decision by the auto-ref, as this goal kick should have gone to LUHBots. Passing game. The game is paused, we don’t know exactly why. Probably because of one of our robots on the edge. Referee and robot handler are discussing. The situation is obviously not quite clear. It is about when a robot can be taken off the field.

3:30 – The game continues at the midfield.

3:00 – Strong passing game, but unfortunately, we don’t approach precisely and miss this and the next chance for a shot on goal. Our number 12 wants to be replaced but drives to the wrong side, and our robot handler has to sprint around the field. Unfortunately, spectators are in the way.

2:30 – We are surprisingly often driving away from the ball, and due to heat problems, we are driving increasingly worse.

1:30 – The ball is back in play, and we bring it to the opponent’s half.

1:00 – Shot on goal, but well saved by LUHBots’ keeper. Ball placement by LUHBots. One of LUHBots’ robots is too close to the field and commits a foul. They take a timeout 37 seconds before the end. The game resumes.

0:30 – Nice play in front of LUHBots’ penalty area. Great passing game by our robots and immediately converted. 2:0. Kickoff for LUHBots. The ball is immediately dangerous in front of our goal again, but our defense holds fortunately. LUHBots commits a foul. We shoot the ball out, and the game is over.

That was an entertaining and nice game.

RoboCup 2024: Group Match: ER-Force vs. KIKS

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Our second group match is against KIKS from Japan.

First Half:

5:00 – The game begins with a timeout for KIKS. We initially play with our black shell inlay and KIKS with their white bands. This will likely be swapped at halftime. Kickoff. Nice duel in front of our penalty area and we are already in front of KIKS’ goal.

4:30 – KIKS has significantly improved compared to previous years, and their ball placement works very well now. Many good chances for us in front of KIKS’ goal, but unfortunately, we stumble over the ball here and there, missing opportunities.

4:00 – One of our robots is driving a bit crooked and is replaced. It’s great to see that both teams contribute to a fluid game with good ball placements.

3:00 – We have to take down a robot due to a yellow card, which creates an interesting situation for ball placement as the game controller switches to stop. Actually, it would be KIKS’ turn for ball placement now since we didn’t succeed.

2:00 – For the first time, we see one of our robots drive to the edge on its own to be replaced due to an error. Great performance by our strategists to implement this so spontaneously for RoboCup. We are waiting for referee decisions. The ball is in front of our penalty area, and we kick off. The ball rolls across the field. Very good play from us. But unfortunately, now and then, a robot is not in the right place, and we miss a pass.

1:00 – Unfortunately, we pass into empty space too often, otherwise, we could have scored many goals. We place the ball in our half. Unfortunately, the robot doesn’t drive properly, and KIKS is allowed to place the ball in our half.

0:30 – Ball placement by KIKS and we are back in their penalty area.

Halftime: KIKS changes batteries and both teams swap the colors of their shells.

Second Half:

5:00 – The second half begins. Both teams have kept their pattern color but changed the shell color. Kickoff for us. Unfortunately, the pass goes into empty space again, and both teams have to take out a robot due to yellow cards.

4:30 – Goal for us. We deflected a ball so that it rolled into the goal. Ball placement for us, unfortunately not successful, and KIKS takes over.

4:00 – Intense battle in the midfield. Ball placement in the midfield. Hard duels in the midfield. Unfortunately, our robot loses, and KIKS has the ball again.

3:30 – Two ball placements directly in a row and very little progress in between. KIKS signals a challenge flag. We are not sure why. Let’s see when it continues. We take out our number 10 because it is not playing properly, but a new robot is already ready.

3:00 – We place the ball in a very difficult situation. But with well-driving robots, it works again.

2:00 – KIKS shuts down one of our robots when it pushes against the ball. Unfortunately, we fail the ball placement. Battle in the midfield. Our new regulation doesn’t drive perfectly yet, which unfortunately affects the quality of the ball placement. Chip across the field, luckily KIKS touches it shortly before, and we can play the ball.

1:30 – We shoot at the goal. But unfortunately too fast. A robot replaces itself due to a yellow card. Nice to see. Unfortunately, we are driving a bit drunkenly. One of the robots with a broken light barrier wants to place the ball but can’t shoot.

1:00 – A puzzling decision by the automatic referee. KIKS has the kickoff and dribbles past our robots. Shoots at the goal and… unfortunately, a goal in the last second.

A well-deserved 1:1 for both teams, which have their problems but play fluidly overall.