The course this year will have an arena area size of 44' by 44'. There will be a 4 foot walk way around the entire perimeter for the operator to use during the rounds. Four teams will be competing at once. A specific course layout has not been finalized yet but will consist of two levels, joined by ramps with a slope of about 23 degrees.
This year's objective will be similar to last years, in keeping with a two year game rotation scheme. Major physical changes to the game this year include a new layout of the arena and new ways to score with disks and hoops. This year we will be introducing slots in the siding of the platform to score disks with and poles on which to hook hoops on. Disks will again start in racks of about 20-24 disks. Hoops may start hanging on a hook or surrounding the disk racks. Points are scored by moving a colored disk or hoop (of which there are 4 different colors) to the correctly colored goal, which will be marked by colored lights. Goals will be changing color at specified intervals, possibily triggered by other robots. The course may also include dynamic elements which would require a robot to complete a task before proceeding. For example, pulling a pin to lower a ramp to get to the upper level of the course.
The hula-hoops will have a major diameter of 30" and a minor diameter of .75", with a mass of 154 +/- 9 grams.
The Frisbees will have a diameter of 9" and a mass of approximately 105 grams.
The ramps leading up to the raised platforms will be made out of plywood and will come out five feet from the platform, making the angle of about 23 degrees. They will be 4 feet wide for the entire surface. They will be the same ramps that have been used in past years. There will be traction tape put down on to the ramps for the middle 30% section of the ramp, perpendicular to the direction of movement up the ramp.
Robots must start in the 8' x 8' square areas in each corner of the course. Unlike in previous years of the competition, this area will not be a home base area.
The rules for what is going to go on inside the course will be found on the rules page, here. Note that these have not yet been finalized for the 2008 competition.
This year will be the second year of another planned two-year competition. Many of the objectives this year will be the same next year, but there will likely be several changes made to the course and rules.
Best Regards,