RoboParty FAQs [2009-Nov-20] 1) Who organizes RoboParty ? It is the Robotics and Automation Group (Grupo de Automação e Robótica) from the department of Industrial Electronics (Departamento de Electrónica Industrial), from the school of Engineering (Escola de Engenharia), from University of Minho (Universidade do Minho) and also the company "SAR - Soluções de Automação e Robótica". This company is made up of engineers who took their degree on "Industrial Electronics Engineering" in our department. 2) What is the aim of RoboParty ? The main objective of RoboParty is pedagogical and not competitive. There are other events in which the robots are taken there already built up and ready for competing in competitions with well known rules. This is not the case. At RoboParty, we teach how to build the robots. If, in the end, some team would like to demonstrate their robot working, they can do it, but no races. There are awards for the most beautiful robot, for the best robot built, etc... But, for these awards the adult team will not be considered, so that the awards are given with fair play. The main objective of a party (being LAN or ROBO) is to gather together youngsters to enjoy themselves. In this case, besides having fun, they will also learn science and technology, where tutors (students and university professors from industrial electronics) are people with technical knowledge and will follow the participants closely. 3) Who can participate ? The teams have (compulsory) 4 members each. One of these 4 elements must be an adult (it can be one teacher or parent from the family). at RoboParty, we don't have people to take care of children, but people to teach how to build a robot. 4) What is necessary to participate on Roboparty ? You need to register your team on: http://www.roboparty.org/en/index.php?link=inscricoes To pay the registration through bank cheque or bank transfer (instructions on the registration web page). The price is also described on the web page. 5) Is it necessary to bring any equipment ? Each team must bring a sleeping bag per person (you sleep on gym mats), one computer per team (laptop or desktop) and some basic tools. It is also necessary to bring equipment suitable for soldering electronic circuit boards. If you prefer, you can order that soldering kit set of tools on the registration web page (you select which equipment you require). This set of tools will then be delivered together with the Robotic Kit on the first day of RoboParty. You can also bring cardboard, scissors, and all you can think of to decorate your robot. Do not forget anything. 6) After RoboParty to whom belongs the robot ? After RoboParty the robot will belong to the team who built it. This kit was conceived and designed to allow future improvements and additional sensors and actuators. Thus, this robot can be used to participate on other mobile robotics events. But for the robot to belong to the team, all team members must remain on RoboParty during the 3 days. 7) Where will adults sleep ? Adult participants will sleep at the same space as the youngster. On the other hand, it is not compulsory to sleep on the event. Any participant can sleep in a hotel or at family homes, should you know someone or live nearby. However, we are sure that youngsters will prefer to sleep on site, as we have some funny activities. That is the spirit of the event. 8) Can I follow my team of 4 children ? Only those people who registered as a team can entered the event (belonging to a team) and go to the working area. Thus, if an adult did not register his name in a team, he will NOT be authorized to enter the working area. Therefore, we advise adults who want to participate to register otherwise they will be left out. For safety reasons, only registered people (with the proper badge) will be allowed to enter the event (the badge has the owner's photograph). 9) The same adult can enter multiple teams ? It is important to have an adult within the team. But, the same adult can follow more than one team. In that case he should register in only one of those teams. That way, his position is free for more youngsters (no need to repeat your adult name). For example, 1 adult and 7 youngsters make up two teams. Thus, there is another place a student. 10) Can the adult help the robot build up and participate on the optional competition ? The main purpose of RoboParty is educational, so adults should teach children and not make they work. The adult can help but always as pedagogical as possible and not with the purpose to make it himself. This is the spirit. This event has no official competitions such as RoboCup or Robótica'200X, its intention is to teach. In the end, according to the team members will, they are able to participate in some optional competitions. 11) On RoboParty's first day (Friday), at what time does it starts ? I still have school on that day... The team members that participate on this event (especially if they represent a school), we believe the missing is perfectly justified by nature. We believe that the school does not mark absences for these students, for participate in an educational event. In any case, should it be required, the organization can write a supporting document to justify it. The event is planned to start at around about 10:00 am. 12) On RoboParty's last day (Sunday), what time is anticipated that the event is over? On Sunday, the event should end at around about 16:00, to give time for far away participants to get home. But everything depends on the participants will. 13) The event is 24h/24h. but, what about is someone wants to sleep at home ? You can sleep at home, but at night there will be some surprise activities. IMPORTANT NOTE: The adult responsible for the team will have to sleep at the same place as the rest of the team members. No team member can sleep at the RoboParty space without the presence of his adult team responsible. The team responsible has precisely this function of "being responsible" by the team members. Any accident with a RoboParty participant outside the RoboParty premises shall be of the team responsible (adult) responsibility. 14) How can I pay the registration ? The payment must be made up to the 18th January 2010, and the payment method is described on the RoboParty web site on http://www.roboparty.org/index.php?link=condicoes. 15) Are the meals included on the registration price ? The meals (as indicated on our web site) are NOT included on the registration price. But, the University of Minho canteen is available for meals and these are VERY cheap (2.15 € for students and € 3.80 for teachers/adults). The food is good. Breakfasts will also be available at the price of € 1.30. 16) Do youngsters (under 18 years old) need any permission to attend the event ? The under 18 years old need to bring with them a statement permission signed by the parents of a person in charged by his education, as well as a photocopy of any identification document from his parent. This declaration is available on-line on the RoboParty web site. http://www.roboparty.org/pdfs/DeclaracaoMenores2010_EN.pdf 17) Is there any competition with the robots built ? The purpose of this event is not to competitive but to learn. However (the experience of previous years), it is very likely that most teams build the robot easily. Should that happen, and if some free time is available, the RoboParty organization already has prepared some competitions. But participation is completely optional. Only those who want will participate. Also remember that fair play is the expected spirit, without any degree of rivalry and that the important thing is to learn to build the robot and not win a competition. We strongly advise participants to calm down and not get upset because there is no gain from it. 18) Can anyone participate ? Anyone can participate, as far as they have fair play and proper manners. Any improper behaviour will be punished expulsion from the event with respective loss of the robot. The organization also reserves the right of admission. 19) At the RoboParty web pages, I cannot see all the LINK... Why ? You probably have the pop-ups blocked in your web browser. To see those LINKS, you can unblock the pop-ups or you can click on the LINK while holding the CTRL key. 20) For the registration of my team, can I upload o picture I took when I was on vacations ? Definitely not. The picture we want from you, will be used to be printed on your badge, which you will have to used ALL time during RoboParty. The security personal at the RoboParty entrance, have to recognise you in that photo. Therefore, we need you to send us a photo like on identification cards, where your face is clearly visible (and only your face). Avoid dark glasses, hats, etc. The RoboParty Organization Fernando Ribeiro Universidade do Minho