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Engineering Design Education via IDC Robot Contest
Engineering Design Education via IDC Robot Contest M.Yamakita ∗ ∗
Dept. of Mechanical and Control Engineering
Robocon, Creative Design, International Exchange Abstract: In this article, creative activities of International Design Contest(IDC), which is usually called IDC robocon, and its effects to international exchanges will be discussed. An origin of IDC is first explained, and the history of IDC is then introduced. Unique points of IDC are highlighted with comparing to other robocons, and how participants enjoy IDC and overcome several difficulties are mentioned. Finally, effects of IDC on international exchanges are discussed. 1. INTRODUCTION In Japan there are many kind of robot contest called ’robocon’ as robot contests for technical high school, RoboCup etc. and junior school students and adults enjoy them. [1][2] In this paper, an international robot contest called IDC (International Design Contest) robocon in which creative design is educated and international exchange of students is enhanced is discussed as one of pioneer robot contests. 2. HISTORY OF IDC IDC robocon was born as in Fig. 1. At a department of control engineering(now control and systems engineering) in Tokyo Institute of Technology, a lecture for creative design called ’creative design’ had been conducted by Prof. Mori from 1982. In that lecture, in order to activate creative nature of each student, ’Zazen’ which is a special style for meditation is introduced in the beginning of each lecture. In order to enhance the policy of the lecture, two lectures, called ’Creative Design I’ and ’Creative Design II’ was started from 1989 and a robot competition is held at the end of the Creative Design I. On the other hand, it was informed that MIT had a similar lecture with a competition using robots for creative design in a department of mechanical engineering. Two universities acknowledged that they have very similar lectures and they discussed to have a joint activity to enhance the function of the lectures to have an international design contest, which was IDC, from 1990. In the course of creative design, the relationship between creative design I and creative design II is shown in Fig. 2. In creative design I from which students for IDC is selected is open in a 1st semester at 2nd year, and they can learn fundamentals of mechanical design and mechanical production. After the learning, each student designs and constructs a manually remote controlled machine. For each student to show the performance of the constructed machine, a final competition is held as a tournament and best three students are selected from the tournament and other three students are selected by votes by the audiences at the competition. On the other hand, creative design II is
Fig. 1. Birth of IDC
Fig. 2. Contents of design course open in a 2nd semester at 3rd year, and 4 students create a autonomous mobile machine with a micro-computer as a group and the performance of the robot is demonstrated in a competition. In the lectures, a different game rule is provided every year. In the creative design I and IDC, a machine should be constructed solely by materials in a kit. The materials provided in the kit are shown in Fig. 4. A controller manipulated by a student, which is a modified ’propo’ for radio controlled models, is shown in Fig.5. Using the controller, two DC motors and two pneumatic cylinders can be controlled. A black box in the figure, which is
Fig. 3. Places of IDC
Fig. 4. Provided kit
Fig. 5. Principal actuators and controller
mounted on a machine, provides electrical power and pneumatic air from a PET bottle.
A typical schedule of IDC is as in the following table and the term is about two weeks.
Day Content Participants to IDC are nominated from several univer1st Opening ceremony, team determination, sities in which a similar competition to the creative deDisclosure of contest rule sign I is conducted. The universities(country) includes Machine design, welcome party MIT(USA), Cambridge(UK), Seoul Univ. (Korea), Sao Machine design Paulo Univ.(Brazil), Chularongkorn Univ.(Thailand),Tsinghua 2nd Presentation of designed machine Univ. (Chaina), Tokyo Tech. and Tokyo Denki Univ. 3rd-10th Workshop(machine construction) (Japan) and selected members from French robot comtwo day offs during the term petion (France). The most distinct feature of IDC is that 12th Workshop, seeding contest all participants from different countries are shuffled and re13th Contest, winning ceremony, farewell party grouped to make a team with four students from different countries and each team designs and constructs machines Every year, each contest rule is given to the students. The and a differenct contest rule is given every year though a rule of IDC2009 is explained in the next section. team is composed of students from a same university or a country in usual robot contests . Countries and contest rule names of IDC in the past are shown in Fig. 3 !!
Eco-Zone: ”Eco-Zone” is located on the most foreground of the game field. Machines that have NO ELECTRICAL ACTUATORS can move in the area. Although, the machines can be equipped the electrical actuators as long as the actuators do not work themselves principally like as pulling pins. On this area, massive ping-pong balls - called ”Seeds of HANBI #1” are set, and Niagara Hanabi is achieved to fall down the balls to the front side. If the balls are fallen down and the edge of the fallen balls is over the pre-decided vertical line statically, your team can take 10 points, and then ”Big HANABI” is opened. The judgment is done by assistance referees.
Fig. 6. Overview of contest field
Fig. 7. Photo of contest field 3. RULE OF IDC2009
Ground Area: The Ground Area is consisted of a slope and has four rivers that are considered as a symbol of Adachi City. Cylinders and balls that are called as ”Seeds of HANABI #2” and ”Seeds of HANABI #3”, respectively are set on the center of the area as shown in the Fig. 1. The cylinder’s diameter is 200mm and height is 200mm. The ball’s diameter is 200mm. Night Sky: ”Night Sky” is the wall located on the back-end and painted three circles as ”HANABI”. If your team can attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” on a ”HANABI” more than the opponent team, your team can take points of ”HANABI”. The center ”HANABI” is 20 points and the both side one’s are 10 points each. When ”Big HANABI” of your team is opened, your team can also get special points to attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” to the top part of ”Big HANBI”. The attached ”Seeds of HANABI” on ”Big HANABI” is 40 points each. (These points are tentative and may be changed.) Match:
The difficulties to detemine rules for IDC are as follows: (1) Students can design many types of machines and strategies. (2) Audiences of the final competition can enjoy the event. Based on the principle above, the theme of the contest was ”HANABI”, which means fire works in Japanese. An overview of the contest field is shown in Fig. 6 and the drawing is shown in Fig. 8. 3.1 Summary The match is basically determined by getting points in the game. Your team can get points by attaching ”Seeds of HANABI”(objects) to ”HANABI” (panel) on ”Night Sky” (back panel). If your team can achieve massive waterfall Hanabi - called Niagara Hanabi on ”Eco-Zone”, then ”Big HANABI” (parasol) is opened. And your team can also get special points by attaching ”Seed of HANABI” to ”Big HANABI”. The Game Field’s Structure: The field is a 5000mm x 4000mm rectangular area that includes ”Eco-Zone”, the Ground Area and ”Night Sky” painted ”HANABI” and equipped ”Big HANBI” as show in the Fig. 1.
(1) Two teams play the game in a match. (2) All machines have to leave the 500mm cubic starting area on your side at the starting time. (3) Time limit is 90 seconds. (4) Any team member must not touch any machine. And the machines to start in ”Eco-Zone” must also stay steadily with out touching. However, single manual action is allowed to them. (5) Every team member must obey referee’s commands and cooperate with the commands. (6) After the time limit, the referee judges the winner of the match according the points as mentioned bellow. Determination of win: (1) If the points are different, the team gotten the points more than the other is a winner. (2) If the points are the same and the conditions of ”Big HANABI” are different, the team opened ”Big HANABI” is a winner. (3) If the above two conditions are the same, the team that the fallen ping-pong balls is higher is a winner. The height of the balls is judged by the referees.
(4) If the condition #3 is difficult to distinguish, i.e. difference of the height is within a ball, a winner is determined by the result of ”Rock-Scissor-Paper”. Other Rules: (1) Even if the machines do not touch ”Eco-Zone”, machines that have electrical actuators must not enter the area including space above the zone. (2) If the fallen ”Seeds of HANABI #1” is over the pre-decided vertical line statically, ”Big HANABI” is opened. (3) If your team can attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” on a ”HANABI” more than the opponent team, your team can take points of ”HANABI”. If the numbers of those are same, your team and opponent team can get the half of the point both. (4) To attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” to the top part of ”Big HANBI” of your team, your teams can get 40 points each. (5) (Violation) Machines must not touch the outside of the game field, side walls of the game field, ”Night Sky” and ”Big HANABI”. When the machines touch them by accident, the machines must leave them as soon as possible. (6) Machines can touch supporting bars of ”Big HANABI”. (7) (Violation) In the first 60 seconds, your machines must not intentionally block opponent team’s machines and/or access to ”Hanabi”s either by themselves or by ”Seed of Hanabi”. After that, your machines are allowed to block them, but they must not touch the opponent team’s machines intentionally. Condition of blocking is decided by referees. (8) When the machines touch them by accident, th e machines must leave them as soon as possible. (9) (Violation) You must not throw ”Seeds of HANABI #1” towards outside of the game field intentionally. Machine: Machines are to be manufactured only with kit that includes material and parts, excepting following: (1) Bolts, Nuts, Washers and Stick Glue that are prepared in the machine shop. However these are not allowed to be used as structural material. (2) Vinyl tape used as an electric insulator (3) Grease (4) A purchase under the expense of 1000 yen (almost $10) (5) Un-functional ornament ** IMPORTANT ** Machines that enter ”Eco-Zone” must not use glue because parts of machines are easy to re-use or easy to dispose from the viewpoint of ecology. Energy: Machines are to be operated by any of following energy. (1) (2) (3) (4)
Gravity potential The elasticity energy generated by a spring The electric energy generated by the controller unit The compressed air generated by the distributed air tube
Size and Weight: At the beginning of the game, machines must fit into 500mm cubic volume except the air container. The size is same as the starting area. Also at this time, machines must be less than 5kg weight except the controller unit and air container. Details: (1) Machines that seem to have safety problems will be disqualified. (2) Machines must not throw ”Seeds of HANABI” outside of the game field intentionally. (3) Time limit of preparation for machine setup, loading a control unit, and checking, is within 90 seconds. Also after the game, you must unload the control unit within 60 seconds. Your team will be disqualified if you violate the conditions. (4) Preparation of machines will be going under the control disconnected. You can check their machine with the control activated, after both teams are ready. After the match, you should remove their machine immediately. (5) Compressed air tubes are to be color-coded as a direction of exhibit. (6) A machine must be operated by one crew. (7) Team must use unique machines for the entire matches. (8) You must not touch machines during a game. (9) If you destroy facilities of the contest, your team will be disqualified. (10) Violating the contest philosophy, such as a strategy that damages opponent team’s machines, is not acceptable. If these are recognized by the referees, the team will be disqualified whole of the contest. (11) Stick glue must not used for actuation. (12) You and your machines must not mess up the game field or the opponent team’s machines by grease. (13) Chemical process of kit or processing of recycle stuff is not allowed. (14) Win with unconsciously violating the rules can be cancelled. (15) You and your machines must not use side walls of the game field, outside of the game field and something outside of the game field. (16) Surfaces of the rivers areas are occasionally coated by ’spray grease’ to make them slippery. The condition of the surfaces in right and left areas might be different. Machines should be robust for the uncertainty. (17) Machines must not enter the dropped area of ”Seed of Hanabi#1” including space above the area. In case of violation, ”Big Hanabi” will not be opened. (18) When a ”Seed of Hanabi” is touched two ”Hanabi”s, it is considered that the ”Seed of Hanabi” is attached to the ”Hanabi” whose point is higher. (19) When the game finishes, ”Seed of Hanabi” touched by machines are not counted as points. 4. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE AND STAFFS In order to organize IDC2009, many professors and student staffs worked, and Fig. 9 shows the organization of IDC2009. Besides the organizing staffs shown in the figure,
Fig. 8. Drawing of contest field peoples form Adachi city, TDU, and Tokyo Tech. worked for PR activity and a contest show on the final day.
From the 3rd day, they began to construct machines due to the machine design using the kit. During the term a daily meeting was held before lunch, and safety notices and other announcements are given to the students. In the workshop, at least one technician, one instructor and supporting students attended to keep safety and to help students to construct machines. During IDC usually there are one or two day-off and participants can participate a local cultural event or short excursion. In Fig.12, almost all students went to see fire works in Tokyo bay.
5. IDC2009
During the busy 10 days, they completed to constructe machines. On a day before the final contest, a seeding contest was conducted and groups in preliminary league matches were determined. In front of many audiences, they showed performance of their own machine in the final contest.
In 2009 IDC was held in Tokyo(Japan) as a memorial IDC to celebrate 20th anniversary of IDC. In an opening celemony each team members are disclosed.
1st place and 2nd place were determined. Even though a team could not win the matches, best designed award was given to a team who design and constructed a unique machines. Fig. 14 is a photo of 1st place team.
After the opening ceremony, participants started to design machines. In the afternoon on the 2nd day, each team presented their design of machines in front of instructions and suggestions to improve the machines were provided by the instructors.(Fig. 11)
After the contest, intercommunication using winning machines between the participants of IDC and children of the audiences was held to enhance children’s interests to creative design and constructing machines, and to promote
Fig. 9. Orgnizing committee of IDC2009
international exchanges. In Fig. 15 winners were teaching how to control the machines. The details of IDC can be found in the URL in ref. [1].
Fig. 14. Winner of the contest
Fig. 10. Openning celemony of IDC2009
Fig. 15. After event with children 6. CONCLUSION
Fig. 11. Presentation of designed machine
Fig. 12. Student sees fire work(HANABI)
After IDCs, we ask questioners to Japanese participants and several constructive comments are obtained as ’IDC was interesting since policy for machine construction is very different’, ’I deeply understood my poor English and try to blush up my English’. However, there are some negative comments as ’I don’t want to work with foreign students.’ Since engineers should cooperate with engineers in other countries in the global economy, we believe that students have good experiences to be good international engineers with creative mind. For IDC, students should be gathered from many countries and work in a same place for two weeks, and the budget and human resources are not small. We should consider to reduce them using internet technology and/or virtual technologies. However, face to face communications are still very important and we try to keep holding IDC as a unique event to provide important experiences for young engineer and scientists. Acknowledgement The author expresses sincere thanks to Mrs. Kondo who is a mayor of Adachi city, Prof. Furuta who is a president of TDU, Prof. Hatakeyama, Dr. Kmamichi, Dr. Sadahiro and other organizing staffs for the realization of IDC2009. REFERENCES
Fig. 13. Openning of final contest
[1] RoBoCoN official web page: http://www.officialrobocon.com/ [2] RoboCup Japan official homepage: http://www.robocup.or.jp [3] Hirata, Internatiaonal Design Contest (IDC2007)CFlude Power, Vol.21, No. 4, pp.9/15 (2007) (in Japanese)
Dept. of Mechanical and Control Engineering
Robocon, Creative Design, International Exchange Abstract: In this article, creative activities of International Design Contest(IDC), which is usually called IDC robocon, and its effects to international exchanges will be discussed. An origin of IDC is first explained, and the history of IDC is then introduced. Unique points of IDC are highlighted with comparing to other robocons, and how participants enjoy IDC and overcome several difficulties are mentioned. Finally, effects of IDC on international exchanges are discussed. 1. INTRODUCTION In Japan there are many kind of robot contest called ’robocon’ as robot contests for technical high school, RoboCup etc. and junior school students and adults enjoy them. [1][2] In this paper, an international robot contest called IDC (International Design Contest) robocon in which creative design is educated and international exchange of students is enhanced is discussed as one of pioneer robot contests. 2. HISTORY OF IDC IDC robocon was born as in Fig. 1. At a department of control engineering(now control and systems engineering) in Tokyo Institute of Technology, a lecture for creative design called ’creative design’ had been conducted by Prof. Mori from 1982. In that lecture, in order to activate creative nature of each student, ’Zazen’ which is a special style for meditation is introduced in the beginning of each lecture. In order to enhance the policy of the lecture, two lectures, called ’Creative Design I’ and ’Creative Design II’ was started from 1989 and a robot competition is held at the end of the Creative Design I. On the other hand, it was informed that MIT had a similar lecture with a competition using robots for creative design in a department of mechanical engineering. Two universities acknowledged that they have very similar lectures and they discussed to have a joint activity to enhance the function of the lectures to have an international design contest, which was IDC, from 1990. In the course of creative design, the relationship between creative design I and creative design II is shown in Fig. 2. In creative design I from which students for IDC is selected is open in a 1st semester at 2nd year, and they can learn fundamentals of mechanical design and mechanical production. After the learning, each student designs and constructs a manually remote controlled machine. For each student to show the performance of the constructed machine, a final competition is held as a tournament and best three students are selected from the tournament and other three students are selected by votes by the audiences at the competition. On the other hand, creative design II is
Fig. 1. Birth of IDC
Fig. 2. Contents of design course open in a 2nd semester at 3rd year, and 4 students create a autonomous mobile machine with a micro-computer as a group and the performance of the robot is demonstrated in a competition. In the lectures, a different game rule is provided every year. In the creative design I and IDC, a machine should be constructed solely by materials in a kit. The materials provided in the kit are shown in Fig. 4. A controller manipulated by a student, which is a modified ’propo’ for radio controlled models, is shown in Fig.5. Using the controller, two DC motors and two pneumatic cylinders can be controlled. A black box in the figure, which is
Fig. 3. Places of IDC
Fig. 4. Provided kit
Fig. 5. Principal actuators and controller
mounted on a machine, provides electrical power and pneumatic air from a PET bottle.
A typical schedule of IDC is as in the following table and the term is about two weeks.
Day Content Participants to IDC are nominated from several univer1st Opening ceremony, team determination, sities in which a similar competition to the creative deDisclosure of contest rule sign I is conducted. The universities(country) includes Machine design, welcome party MIT(USA), Cambridge(UK), Seoul Univ. (Korea), Sao Machine design Paulo Univ.(Brazil), Chularongkorn Univ.(Thailand),Tsinghua 2nd Presentation of designed machine Univ. (Chaina), Tokyo Tech. and Tokyo Denki Univ. 3rd-10th Workshop(machine construction) (Japan) and selected members from French robot comtwo day offs during the term petion (France). The most distinct feature of IDC is that 12th Workshop, seeding contest all participants from different countries are shuffled and re13th Contest, winning ceremony, farewell party grouped to make a team with four students from different countries and each team designs and constructs machines Every year, each contest rule is given to the students. The and a differenct contest rule is given every year though a rule of IDC2009 is explained in the next section. team is composed of students from a same university or a country in usual robot contests . Countries and contest rule names of IDC in the past are shown in Fig. 3 !!
Eco-Zone: ”Eco-Zone” is located on the most foreground of the game field. Machines that have NO ELECTRICAL ACTUATORS can move in the area. Although, the machines can be equipped the electrical actuators as long as the actuators do not work themselves principally like as pulling pins. On this area, massive ping-pong balls - called ”Seeds of HANBI #1” are set, and Niagara Hanabi is achieved to fall down the balls to the front side. If the balls are fallen down and the edge of the fallen balls is over the pre-decided vertical line statically, your team can take 10 points, and then ”Big HANABI” is opened. The judgment is done by assistance referees.
Fig. 6. Overview of contest field
Fig. 7. Photo of contest field 3. RULE OF IDC2009
Ground Area: The Ground Area is consisted of a slope and has four rivers that are considered as a symbol of Adachi City. Cylinders and balls that are called as ”Seeds of HANABI #2” and ”Seeds of HANABI #3”, respectively are set on the center of the area as shown in the Fig. 1. The cylinder’s diameter is 200mm and height is 200mm. The ball’s diameter is 200mm. Night Sky: ”Night Sky” is the wall located on the back-end and painted three circles as ”HANABI”. If your team can attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” on a ”HANABI” more than the opponent team, your team can take points of ”HANABI”. The center ”HANABI” is 20 points and the both side one’s are 10 points each. When ”Big HANABI” of your team is opened, your team can also get special points to attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” to the top part of ”Big HANBI”. The attached ”Seeds of HANABI” on ”Big HANABI” is 40 points each. (These points are tentative and may be changed.) Match:
The difficulties to detemine rules for IDC are as follows: (1) Students can design many types of machines and strategies. (2) Audiences of the final competition can enjoy the event. Based on the principle above, the theme of the contest was ”HANABI”, which means fire works in Japanese. An overview of the contest field is shown in Fig. 6 and the drawing is shown in Fig. 8. 3.1 Summary The match is basically determined by getting points in the game. Your team can get points by attaching ”Seeds of HANABI”(objects) to ”HANABI” (panel) on ”Night Sky” (back panel). If your team can achieve massive waterfall Hanabi - called Niagara Hanabi on ”Eco-Zone”, then ”Big HANABI” (parasol) is opened. And your team can also get special points by attaching ”Seed of HANABI” to ”Big HANABI”. The Game Field’s Structure: The field is a 5000mm x 4000mm rectangular area that includes ”Eco-Zone”, the Ground Area and ”Night Sky” painted ”HANABI” and equipped ”Big HANBI” as show in the Fig. 1.
(1) Two teams play the game in a match. (2) All machines have to leave the 500mm cubic starting area on your side at the starting time. (3) Time limit is 90 seconds. (4) Any team member must not touch any machine. And the machines to start in ”Eco-Zone” must also stay steadily with out touching. However, single manual action is allowed to them. (5) Every team member must obey referee’s commands and cooperate with the commands. (6) After the time limit, the referee judges the winner of the match according the points as mentioned bellow. Determination of win: (1) If the points are different, the team gotten the points more than the other is a winner. (2) If the points are the same and the conditions of ”Big HANABI” are different, the team opened ”Big HANABI” is a winner. (3) If the above two conditions are the same, the team that the fallen ping-pong balls is higher is a winner. The height of the balls is judged by the referees.
(4) If the condition #3 is difficult to distinguish, i.e. difference of the height is within a ball, a winner is determined by the result of ”Rock-Scissor-Paper”. Other Rules: (1) Even if the machines do not touch ”Eco-Zone”, machines that have electrical actuators must not enter the area including space above the zone. (2) If the fallen ”Seeds of HANABI #1” is over the pre-decided vertical line statically, ”Big HANABI” is opened. (3) If your team can attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” on a ”HANABI” more than the opponent team, your team can take points of ”HANABI”. If the numbers of those are same, your team and opponent team can get the half of the point both. (4) To attach ”Seeds of HANABI #2” or ”Seeds of HANABI #3” to the top part of ”Big HANBI” of your team, your teams can get 40 points each. (5) (Violation) Machines must not touch the outside of the game field, side walls of the game field, ”Night Sky” and ”Big HANABI”. When the machines touch them by accident, the machines must leave them as soon as possible. (6) Machines can touch supporting bars of ”Big HANABI”. (7) (Violation) In the first 60 seconds, your machines must not intentionally block opponent team’s machines and/or access to ”Hanabi”s either by themselves or by ”Seed of Hanabi”. After that, your machines are allowed to block them, but they must not touch the opponent team’s machines intentionally. Condition of blocking is decided by referees. (8) When the machines touch them by accident, th e machines must leave them as soon as possible. (9) (Violation) You must not throw ”Seeds of HANABI #1” towards outside of the game field intentionally. Machine: Machines are to be manufactured only with kit that includes material and parts, excepting following: (1) Bolts, Nuts, Washers and Stick Glue that are prepared in the machine shop. However these are not allowed to be used as structural material. (2) Vinyl tape used as an electric insulator (3) Grease (4) A purchase under the expense of 1000 yen (almost $10) (5) Un-functional ornament ** IMPORTANT ** Machines that enter ”Eco-Zone” must not use glue because parts of machines are easy to re-use or easy to dispose from the viewpoint of ecology. Energy: Machines are to be operated by any of following energy. (1) (2) (3) (4)
Gravity potential The elasticity energy generated by a spring The electric energy generated by the controller unit The compressed air generated by the distributed air tube
Size and Weight: At the beginning of the game, machines must fit into 500mm cubic volume except the air container. The size is same as the starting area. Also at this time, machines must be less than 5kg weight except the controller unit and air container. Details: (1) Machines that seem to have safety problems will be disqualified. (2) Machines must not throw ”Seeds of HANABI” outside of the game field intentionally. (3) Time limit of preparation for machine setup, loading a control unit, and checking, is within 90 seconds. Also after the game, you must unload the control unit within 60 seconds. Your team will be disqualified if you violate the conditions. (4) Preparation of machines will be going under the control disconnected. You can check their machine with the control activated, after both teams are ready. After the match, you should remove their machine immediately. (5) Compressed air tubes are to be color-coded as a direction of exhibit. (6) A machine must be operated by one crew. (7) Team must use unique machines for the entire matches. (8) You must not touch machines during a game. (9) If you destroy facilities of the contest, your team will be disqualified. (10) Violating the contest philosophy, such as a strategy that damages opponent team’s machines, is not acceptable. If these are recognized by the referees, the team will be disqualified whole of the contest. (11) Stick glue must not used for actuation. (12) You and your machines must not mess up the game field or the opponent team’s machines by grease. (13) Chemical process of kit or processing of recycle stuff is not allowed. (14) Win with unconsciously violating the rules can be cancelled. (15) You and your machines must not use side walls of the game field, outside of the game field and something outside of the game field. (16) Surfaces of the rivers areas are occasionally coated by ’spray grease’ to make them slippery. The condition of the surfaces in right and left areas might be different. Machines should be robust for the uncertainty. (17) Machines must not enter the dropped area of ”Seed of Hanabi#1” including space above the area. In case of violation, ”Big Hanabi” will not be opened. (18) When a ”Seed of Hanabi” is touched two ”Hanabi”s, it is considered that the ”Seed of Hanabi” is attached to the ”Hanabi” whose point is higher. (19) When the game finishes, ”Seed of Hanabi” touched by machines are not counted as points. 4. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE AND STAFFS In order to organize IDC2009, many professors and student staffs worked, and Fig. 9 shows the organization of IDC2009. Besides the organizing staffs shown in the figure,
Fig. 8. Drawing of contest field peoples form Adachi city, TDU, and Tokyo Tech. worked for PR activity and a contest show on the final day.
From the 3rd day, they began to construct machines due to the machine design using the kit. During the term a daily meeting was held before lunch, and safety notices and other announcements are given to the students. In the workshop, at least one technician, one instructor and supporting students attended to keep safety and to help students to construct machines. During IDC usually there are one or two day-off and participants can participate a local cultural event or short excursion. In Fig.12, almost all students went to see fire works in Tokyo bay.
5. IDC2009
During the busy 10 days, they completed to constructe machines. On a day before the final contest, a seeding contest was conducted and groups in preliminary league matches were determined. In front of many audiences, they showed performance of their own machine in the final contest.
In 2009 IDC was held in Tokyo(Japan) as a memorial IDC to celebrate 20th anniversary of IDC. In an opening celemony each team members are disclosed.
1st place and 2nd place were determined. Even though a team could not win the matches, best designed award was given to a team who design and constructed a unique machines. Fig. 14 is a photo of 1st place team.
After the opening ceremony, participants started to design machines. In the afternoon on the 2nd day, each team presented their design of machines in front of instructions and suggestions to improve the machines were provided by the instructors.(Fig. 11)
After the contest, intercommunication using winning machines between the participants of IDC and children of the audiences was held to enhance children’s interests to creative design and constructing machines, and to promote
Fig. 9. Orgnizing committee of IDC2009
international exchanges. In Fig. 15 winners were teaching how to control the machines. The details of IDC can be found in the URL in ref. [1].
Fig. 14. Winner of the contest
Fig. 10. Openning celemony of IDC2009
Fig. 15. After event with children 6. CONCLUSION
Fig. 11. Presentation of designed machine
Fig. 12. Student sees fire work(HANABI)
After IDCs, we ask questioners to Japanese participants and several constructive comments are obtained as ’IDC was interesting since policy for machine construction is very different’, ’I deeply understood my poor English and try to blush up my English’. However, there are some negative comments as ’I don’t want to work with foreign students.’ Since engineers should cooperate with engineers in other countries in the global economy, we believe that students have good experiences to be good international engineers with creative mind. For IDC, students should be gathered from many countries and work in a same place for two weeks, and the budget and human resources are not small. We should consider to reduce them using internet technology and/or virtual technologies. However, face to face communications are still very important and we try to keep holding IDC as a unique event to provide important experiences for young engineer and scientists. Acknowledgement The author expresses sincere thanks to Mrs. Kondo who is a mayor of Adachi city, Prof. Furuta who is a president of TDU, Prof. Hatakeyama, Dr. Kmamichi, Dr. Sadahiro and other organizing staffs for the realization of IDC2009. REFERENCES
Fig. 13. Openning of final contest
[1] RoBoCoN official web page: http://www.officialrobocon.com/ [2] RoboCup Japan official homepage: http://www.robocup.or.jp [3] Hirata, Internatiaonal Design Contest (IDC2007)CFlude Power, Vol.21, No. 4, pp.9/15 (2007) (in Japanese)