7th Annual International BEAM
Robot Games Lucknow, INDIA.
The 7th
BEAM games are scheduled to be held from 12th
to 15th November,
1998 in Lucknow, India. We are glad to invite you to compete at these Robotic
games.
The categories are (short explaination):
DETAILS:
The details of these categories can be requested from the organizers.
BEAM, which stands for Biology, Electronics, Aesthetics,
and Mechanics (amongst others) is a system founded by Mark W. Tilden while
at the University of Waterloo (Canada) that allows first time enthusiasts
to get started easily. By building one more self-contained creatures, anyone
can gain the confidence and ability to build a wider range of robotic devices,
allowing them to compete in more challenging BEAM events, and advancing
the evolutionary aspects of their robotic designs.
The BEAM Robot Games is not as 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 an open forum for anyone who wants to
get started in the field of Alife robotics 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 graded competitions, but generally robots will be judged on sophistication
of behaviour, novelty of design, efficiency of power source, and quality
of hardware innovation. There are no age limits for participation.
The organizers, City Montessori Intermediate College, Chowk, will provide
free transportation for all participants in Lucknow and shall be glad to
assist participants with travel plans and arrangements. Boarding and lodging
are also free for participants who wish to stay at the venue for the BEAM
games. If participants wish to stay elsewhere in Lucknow, we shall be glad
to assist with reservations at places of their choice.
Sight see tours after the games can be arranged for the participants.
Should you have a query regarding any aspect of the BEAM games, please
contact us:
Rules and General Guidelines:
These are the rules and guidelines for the Seventh International
BEAM Games. Although the spirit of these games stress on few formal restrictions,
these are some general guidelines which every robot designer 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, famous, or imaginative designs. The BEAM games are meant as
a friendly 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 registration
form .
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR ALL ROBOT COMPETITORS: For the 7th
International BEAM Robot Games, 1998.
- All robotic devices must be either entirely custom built or a heavily
modified appliance or toy. Devices which are completely hand-crafted will
receive bonus points in all competitions. Any robotic competitor that is
obviously of mass-produced, commercial manufacture and/or performs an obviously
commercial task shall be disqualified as a competitor.
- All robotic entries should be self-contained or have an option where
they can execute behavior without human intervention. Devices which do
not feature some autonomous ability are allowed, but will lose critical
style points.
- Any robotic entry may be disqualified if too large (i.e. 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, famous, or self-powered entries that can be piece wise assembled.
Please contact the organizers for a ruling.
- If a robotic entry must use wall current, it can use only one plug
at a nominal amperage (120 or 220 VAC, 3 Amps maximum drain). Any robot
that uses a combustion process will be discouraged for safety reasons,
and will not be allowed to run inside the competition auditorium.
- BEAM competitions are designed to display robotic capabilities and
skill, not brute force, so for the most part, no "violent" robotic
competitors will be allowed. That is, no competitor may have a functionally
destructive capacity ( i.e: drills, cutters, soldering iron, flame-thrower,
chainsaw, etc.) although decorative or whimsical elements along this line
are allowed ( i.e. water pistols, xenon flashes, etc.). Likewise, any robotic
competitor that may damage the competition courses, other robot competitors,
organizers, or audience will be disqualified if the destructive elements
cannot be detached. 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 trial, and where possible, time trial races will
be run separately. Likewise, designers who accept that their machines could
suffer major damage will also be respected (i.e. : No-holds-barred Robosumo).
BEAM Robotics and affiliates take no responsibility for damage incurred
by or afflicted on robotic device, persons, or reputations during the course
of competition.
- No robotic competitors can employ biological components (rats, chickens,
lemon/potato batteries, etc.) except by special permission from the organizers.
Even then, no devices will be allowed which harm biologics in any way.
Likewise no robot can employ open caustic or explosive chemical substances
in fluid, solid, or gas form.
- 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. Exceptions will be made for particularly
imaginative entries, or any disturbing feature that can be proved disconnected
prior to competing.
Most of this document contains specific rules for those competitions
that have at least one original BEAM competitor already tested and assembled.
Photographs of some original BEAM devices are enclosed but are not meant
to be considered as standards or templates. Please do not copy these designs,
they are just examples. Besides, we've already seen our creature ideas.
The point of these games is to steal... er... see yours.
Original BEAM creatures shall be considered "demo" machines
and will not be formally awarded any prizes, although they will be registered
as record holders in all events they may win. These devices will be on
display and used as seconds or "odd-man" competitors in competitions
where necessary.
- Boarding and lodging will be free for the participants if they stay
at the venue.
If they wish to stay outside, we shall assist with reservations at places
of their choice.
- City Montessori School shall provide free transportation from and to
Lucknow Railway station / Airport for all participants.
- Venue for the competitions is City Montessori School, Gomtinagar, Lucknow.
Information web sites:
http://sst.lanl.gov/robot/
(DAPS) group, LANL, New Mexico, USA.
( Information on the games and research done at the lab regarding Biomech
Technology. Photos, papers, and announcements.)
http://www.solarbotics.com
www.solarbotics.com
(Solarbotics, Calgary, Canada.
ASCII Rulesets, Entrance forms, Information, etc. for the Western Canada
Robot Games)
http://www.xs4all.nl/~sbolt/e-index.html
(Excellent Do-it-yourself Photovore plans, kits, and BEAM details.)
http://www.golden.net/~amiller
(Miller website, showing some of his 70 BEAM machines.)
http://www.webconn.com/~mwd/beam.html
(Pointers, plans, Bibliography and references on robotic clubing
and BEAM)
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