1. ORGANIZED BY THE CSS Virtual RoboCup 2009

2. A Brief Overview The Virtual RoboCup is a competition in which teams, of a maximum of 3 members, program a team of autonomous virtual robots (a field player and a goalie) to play soccer against one another. The goal (har har!) is to program the most advanced AI that you can so your robots can outsmart, and therefore out-score, your opponent. The AI can be programmed in a multitude of languages, so it is accessible to people of all backgrounds and experiences. It can also be programmed in approximately 300 lines or less, depending on the language you choose. It's easier than it sounds!

3. A Brief Overview (contd.) Tournament-style competition Teams capped at 3 member (this may change) 2v2 matches (a goalie and field player per team) Final competition will be held during Spring quarter Check http://css.cdm.depaul.edu/virtualcup/ for changes in rules and schedulinghttp://css.cdm.depaul.edu/virtualcup/ Programming the AI is not as daunting a task as it may seem!

4. Team Registration Plan on having 2 teammates We will need the following from each team  A team name  A logo (Optional, but cool! Details to come)  Names of the team members  A designated team leader To register, send an e-mail to cssvirtualcup@cdm.depaul.edu or fill out a sign-up sheet cssvirtualcup@cdm.depaul.edu

5. The Schedule Fall 2009  Form teams  Begin working on your AI  CSS office will be open to lend a hand (Room 451) Winter 2009  Friendly matches between teams to test AI  Tournament placements TBA Spring 2010  Final tournament  Late May - Awards ceremony at the annual CSS bowling event

6. Webots Download at: http://www.cyberbotics.com/http://www.cyberbotics.com/  Supported OS’s  Windows XP, Vista, and 7  Mac OSX 10.4 and up  Linux (yay!) Ubuntu, Debian, Redhat, etc. Supported languages  C/C++  Java  Python  Matlab

7. Webots (cont.) Intuitive AI programming interface See your changes immediately! A quick recompile is all that’s needed Tutorials, examples, and API documentation can be accessed via “Webots/doc/index.html” or online here http://www.cyberbotics.com/cdrom/common/doc/ webots/reference/reference.html http://www.cyberbotics.com/cdrom/common/doc/ webots/reference/reference.html Don’t hesitate to drop by/e-mail us with questions! Let’s see it!

8. Webots (cont. x 2) – Interface

12. Webots (cont. x 3) - Compilation Compiling code is modeled after the “make” process  Clean (if needed) -> Shift + F7  Compile -> Ctrl + F7  Build -> F7  (Java only) Create a JAR file, if desired

13. Webots (cont. x 4) – The Robots

14. Features of AI Programming in Webots Sensors  Two cameras (Straight ahead, and towards the ground)  Useful predefined functions for finding objects The soccer ball Either goal Other players (both teams)  Touch sensors  Distance sensors Create and execute custom movements Communication between AI teammates (goalie and field player)

15. Rules Typical soccer rules The “Supervisor” AI keeps track of remaining time, out of bounds violations, scored goals, etc. More complex enforcements are left to a human referee  Rule 1: No BattleBot action!  Rule 2: Don’t intentionally have your field player block the soccer ball with its hands  Rule 3: No hacksploits! We’ll call ‘em as we see ‘em!

16. Finally If you have already figured out your teams, fill out a signup sheet now! Even if you haven’t, still sign up with your name and e-mail address, so we can contact you with updates Questions or concerns? Ask a CSS member! cssvirtualcup@cdm.depaul.edu http://css.cdm.depaul.edu/virtualcup/