Category Archives: RoboCup

RoboCup Eindhoven: Setup Day – Quick Update

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By now, the second setup day is almost over, and yet there are problems everywhere. However, these are not only with us. For example, it took up to 4 hours after the hall opened for the light switches for the fields to be turned on. The Vision software – the software for seeing the robots – is very light-sensitive and was calibrated to full light exposure yesterday. Since only about 50% of that was available this morning, all vision-dependent tests could practically not be carried out. At least this year, we have an extra day for setup compared to usual. Now a bit more detail on the sub-teams:

MECHANICS:

First, the mechanics team had to make the robots suitable for the tournament. This means securing the screws and cutting the league paper for the patterns on the robots. The former was particularly slow, and the work, as important as it is, is one of the more tedious kinds. Currently, the robots’ kickers are also being calibrated. The software setup was probably the hardest part, as it took a total of 3 attempts and 3 laptops before it worked. Intermittent repairs on the robots, such as on the light barrier, are also always necessary.

 

ELECTRONICS:

Since our electronics sub-team has been preparing for RoboCup for weeks by ordering parts and repairing boards, everything is going quite smoothly here. The biggest problem is the overheating of the robots, where a connection with the regulation is suspected. A solution to this problem could be heat sinks, which are being shaped on-site with considerable physical effort.

STRATEGY:

This year, too, the strategy team was not spared from the traditional network problems. However, the problem was eventually found after many hours of frustration and detective work. Meanwhile, continuous improvements are being made to our ball tracking behavior. The penalty shootout is also being improved, and work is being done on the Technical Challenge. Additionally, we have a dedicated sub-sub-team trying to automate the substitution of robots in case of errors since only 5 manual substitutions are allowed under the new rules.

 

FIRMWARE:

First, the firmware team implemented self-repairing behavior on the robots so that errors can be fixed on their own during the game without substitution. Currently, they are working with the electronics team to get the overheating under control by implementing more energy-efficient algorithms and systematically fixing problem sources.

RoboCup 2024: Arrival at Eindhoven

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SATURDAY: 13.07.2024

Our journey was plagued by a police operation, confusion and delays by the DB, as well as the aforementioned train cancellations. For this reason, we arrived at the hotel around 5 PM, about an hour late. Despite everything, it was worlds better than the trip to Bordeaux. Conveniently, there was a restaurant right next door to feed 14 hungry ER-Force members after a 9-hour journey. After unpacking and setting up, we decided to unwind a bit and explore Eindhoven:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUNDAY: 14.07.2024

At 9:30 AM, hunger was great, so we set out to find breakfast. Since most cafes were too expensive and the bakery had little to offer despite open doors, most of us ended up at McDonald’s, where we discussed the day’s plan and the status of the various sub-teams. Back at the hotel, things quickly got underway, and some were surprised to find it was already 5 PM and time for the Journal Club – the ETDP discussion of other teams. This took place in the same spot as in the morning, but it was much fuller now. After 2 hours of discussion and a filling dinner, we went straight back to work on the robots, which lasted for some until 12:30 AM:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MONDAY: 15.07.2024

Full of anticipation for the hall, the tournament, and a bit more space to work, we set off around 8:30 AM. While most of the team brought the equipment into the hall and set it up, a small group went to get essential snacks and breakfast. At first, there was concern about getting the badges for entry. They were only available in the paperless RoboCup against a signed piece of paper, and we didn’t have a printer in our hand luggage. However, the procedure was fairly quick and painless. By now, everyone is strengthened, and the work on the robots is in full swing.

Fun Fact: The site of the ETDP discussion also featured a statue of Frits Philips, the founder of the Philips company, who lived to be 100 years old and witnessed both world wars.

RoboCup Eindhoven: Schedule

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Now that the schedule for this year’s RoboCup is known, we don’t want to keep it from you!

As in previous years, the tournament begins with a group phase, where the teams from Group A (ZJUNlict, ER-Force, KIKS, RoboCîn, luhbots) and Group B (TIGERs Mannheim, Immortals, RoboDragons, RoboTeam Twente) each play against each other once. The group phase takes place on Thursday and Friday.

At the end of the group phase, a ranking list is created in both groups, and the actual knockout phase between the top three of each group will take place on Saturday and Sunday in the proven double elimination format. Since this tournament format is always a bit complicated to follow, we have created a match plan for you, noting which two teams will compete in each knockout game.

RoboCup Eindhoven: Arrival

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After nearly a year, it’s finally time again: RoboCup 2024 is here, this year in the Dutch city of Eindhoven! Teams from all over the world and various leagues are currently traveling and will all try to claim first place in their respective leagues!

Of course, our team is also ready to go, and this morning 14 students from our team boarded a train in Nuremberg heading to Essen. What they didn’t know at the time: The train in Düsseldorf that would take them to Venlo doesn’t exist. This brings back memories of a popular meme from last year:

So, our travel group will likely arrive at the hotel in Eindhoven with an estimated delay of one hour and begin to take over the hotel rooms and floors for us and our robots. Starting next week, our team will be allowed into the hall!

By the way: Besides us, this year’s Division A will also feature teams ZJUNlict (China), KIKS (Japan), RoboCîn (Brazil), luhbots (Germany), TIGERs Mannheim (reigning world champion, Germany), Immortals (Germany), RoboDragons (Japan), and RoboTeam Twente (Netherlands). From experience, TIGERs Mannheim, ZJUNlict, and Immortals are particularly strong teams that we need to surpass!

RoboCup: RoboTeam Twente vs. KIKS

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The next game of the knockout phase takes place this morning at 09:00 AM. It’s between the Dutch team RoboTeam Twente and KIKS. You can find the link to the live ticker as always on Twente’s YouTube platform or at this link.

First Half

05:00 The game starts with a 15-minute delay.
04:29 Not much is happening in the game yet, the ball is moving back and forth. KIKS takes a timeout.
04:03 Attack on the Twente goal, Dutch defenders are moving too slowly. Eventually, a shot is taken by KIKS, but the goal doesn’t count because: Too fast! Lucky for Twente.
03:48 KIKS takes another timeout, but like the last timeout, it seems only software is being fixed; no one is running onto the field.
03:33 There’s a harmless shot on Twente’s goal, which comes to a stop in the out-of-bounds area. But where are the defenders? A more accurate shot could have been a goal!
03:05 Another shot on goal, but the Twente keeper can save it. The defense seems to be getting stronger.
02:00 Once again, excellent work by the Twente goalkeeper. He successfully stops a direct, fairly fast shot on goal. Interestingly, the ball ends exactly on the goal line, and there’s a discussion about whether it was a goal. The Organizing Committee gets involved too. Decision: No goal, the ball must fully cross the line, not just partially.
01:27 And well saved again by the Twente goalkeeper! But the defenders don’t seem very motivated; instead of closing the goal as quickly as possible, they prefer to move away!
01:11 Now the TIGERs computer referee goes wild and reports a goal even though the ball is miles away from the goal.
01:08 Initially, a goal for KIKS, and it seems pretty clear. Nevertheless, Twente raises a challenge flag, meaning they’re questioning the referee’s decision. And with success, the goal doesn’t count! And the time is rolled back to 01:22? Not entirely understandable, but let’s accept it; after all, KIKS accepted the decision too.
00:40 After many duels in the Dutch half, the expected goal finally arrives: KIKS now leads 1-0.
RoboTeam Twente 0 : 1 KIKS
-01:12 Initially, it looked like a successful attack from Twente. But then KIKS wins the duel and shoots towards the Dutch goal. Instead of trying to stop the ball (there were plenty of defenders), the backtracking defenders simply let it roll, and the goalkeeper turns awkwardly, resulting in a goal.
RoboTeam Twente 0 : 2 KIKS

Second Half

05:00 The second half is kicked off. Let’s see if Twente can make a comeback. During the 5-minute break, all robots were checked, which gives some hope.
04:34 Twente successfully intercepted the ball, but the receiver is turned, causing them to lose possession. Fortunately, the goalkeeper is once again on the spot, defusing the situation in the last moment.
03:47 But even the standout player of this match, the Twente goalkeeper, is just a robot, and he can’t handle every game situation. After some duels, it’s now 3-0 for KIKS.
RoboTeam Twente 0 : 3 KIKS
03:21 Once again, the TIGERs Autoref recognizes a goal, but at least from my perspective, I couldn’t see one. It doesn’t count either.
03:06 Very dangerous shot on the Twente goal, but their goalkeeper once again excels and saves it.
02:18 Unfortunately, another rather unspectacular goal against Twente, making it 4-0 now.
RoboTeam Twente 0 : 4 KIKS
01:14 Another shot on Twente’s goal, but once again, the keeper saves it very well. It’s a pity that in this game, he’s the shining star.
01:04 Actually defended well by a Twente bot this time. He elegantly positioned himself in the opponent’s passing lane, preventing the shot on goal.
00:02 Again, very nicely defended by a Twente defender, and with that, it’s unlikely that another goal will be scored before the end of the game.
00:00 After a last, fairly dangerous attack against Twente, the ball eventually goes out of bounds, and the game ends 4-0 in favor of KIKS. This means Twente is out of the tournament.