A proposal of bridging activities between robocupjunior and senior leagues

Abstract

We propose new bridging activities between RoboCupJunior (RCJ) and RoboCup senior leagues. Many of RCJ graduates cannot find a suitable way to progress to the senior leagues. Therefore, they often retire from the RoboCup at this stage. A major problem is the technical gap between RCJ and senior leagues. However, if some top-level RCJ teams are provided with sufficient technical advice, they can join senior leagues in a short time. Our proposal aims to achieve this. Since authers have managed RCJ Soccer Secondary class (RCJSS) and RoboCup Soccer Small-Size League (SSL) in RoboCup national competition and know them well, the bridging activities for them are proposed. The first-level activities include the following. (1) RCJSS members visit an SSL competition, watch the game, and understand its rules, and vice versa. (2) We have realized an inter-league game using only the current field and robots in RoboCup National Open 2007. (3) A greater level of interaction is required. When the RCJSS teams require technical assistance or advice, if they are friendly with the members of any SSL team, they can freely seek assistance. The second-level is to form a bridge league between RCJSS and SSL. (1) Rules are introduced from SSL since this league aims to be a stepping-stone to full SSL. The field size is reduced to half the current size of an SSL field. The number of robots is reduced from five to three in order to reduce the parts cost. (2) We prepare development kits for transition. RCJSS teams can develop their robot systems rapidly by utilizing these kits for transition. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.