Category Archives: KIKS

RoboCup 2024: Review

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Tournament

In our Division A of the Small Size League of RoboCup this year, nine teams from five countries competed against each other. A special feature was the two newcomers RobôCIn and luhbots, who this year made the step from Division B to a larger field and more robots in Division A. After three setup days, the teams first competed in a 4-team and 5-team group during the two group match days. The top three teams from each group then advanced to the knockout phase over the next two match days. By securing second place in our group, we were able to secure a good starting position here. In the double elimination mode, the respective group winners and runners-up could each lose once without being eliminated from the tournament. Thanks to our good performances on the field, we managed to secure a solid third place for our team despite many games in the lower bracket. Second place went to the Chinese team ZJUNlict and the current and past world champion is TIGERs Mannheim. A special mention should definitely go to the two new teams who managed to play exciting and balanced games against long-standing Division A teams almost right from the start. Particularly, the fourth place of RobôCIn is an extremely strong performance. At this point, we would also like to expressly thank luhbots, Immortals, RoboTeam Twente, RobôCIn, and TIGERs Mannheim for their help and extraordinary commitment to the league. This is by no means a matter of course.

 

Our Team in the Tournament

For us, the RoboCup started off quite bumpy again, and the first fears arose that we might experience a similar disaster to 2023 in Bordeaux. Fortunately, this was not the case. Instead, we managed to solve individual problems step by step. During the setup days and our first game, we still struggled considerably with our radio system and the control of the robots. But by the second game, we were already capable of fielding 11 robots. Nonetheless, we refrained from doing so in the group phase and fielded 8 robots each time. This was mainly because we were still plagued by overheating issues, and substitute robots were therefore extremely valuable.

For the knockout stage, we took a bold step and removed unnecessary parts from the module connector PCB and equipped our motor boards with heat sinks. Together with a relentless hunt for individual faulty robot components, we were able to increase the reliability of our fleet so that we could permanently field 11 robots in the knockout phase. This is a strong performance by the entire team, and we are excited about what the future holds with the now fully functional robots. Thus, we can conclude this RoboCup, tired from the strenuous days, but satisfied with our progress and success.

 

Betting Game

A novelty this year was the betting game we organized for RoboCup 2024. Just like in conventional football, bets could be placed on individual games, the outcome of the group phase, and the overall tournament. The most points were collected by our team members Michi and Mike, who stayed at home. Due to the great support from other teams, we plan to set up an official betting game for RoboCup next year.

 

Impressions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RoboCup 2025

Now that RoboCup 2024 in Eindhoven has ended and all teams have departed, we look to the future. We look forward to an interesting year with many improvements and innovations in our strategy and robots, as well as visits from other teams. But of course, our main focus is on the next RoboCup 2025. It will take place from July 15 to July 21, 2025, in the Brazilian coastal city of Salvador. The first images of the location already make us excited for sun, warmth, and of course a RoboCup hall right next to one of Brazil’s beautiful beaches.

See you in Salvador!

 

RoboCup 2024: Group Match: ER-Force vs. KIKS

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Our second group match is against KIKS from Japan.

First Half:

5:00 – The game begins with a timeout for KIKS. We initially play with our black shell inlay and KIKS with their white bands. This will likely be swapped at halftime. Kickoff. Nice duel in front of our penalty area and we are already in front of KIKS’ goal.

4:30 – KIKS has significantly improved compared to previous years, and their ball placement works very well now. Many good chances for us in front of KIKS’ goal, but unfortunately, we stumble over the ball here and there, missing opportunities.

4:00 – One of our robots is driving a bit crooked and is replaced. It’s great to see that both teams contribute to a fluid game with good ball placements.

3:00 – We have to take down a robot due to a yellow card, which creates an interesting situation for ball placement as the game controller switches to stop. Actually, it would be KIKS’ turn for ball placement now since we didn’t succeed.

2:00 – For the first time, we see one of our robots drive to the edge on its own to be replaced due to an error. Great performance by our strategists to implement this so spontaneously for RoboCup. We are waiting for referee decisions. The ball is in front of our penalty area, and we kick off. The ball rolls across the field. Very good play from us. But unfortunately, now and then, a robot is not in the right place, and we miss a pass.

1:00 – Unfortunately, we pass into empty space too often, otherwise, we could have scored many goals. We place the ball in our half. Unfortunately, the robot doesn’t drive properly, and KIKS is allowed to place the ball in our half.

0:30 – Ball placement by KIKS and we are back in their penalty area.

Halftime: KIKS changes batteries and both teams swap the colors of their shells.

Second Half:

5:00 – The second half begins. Both teams have kept their pattern color but changed the shell color. Kickoff for us. Unfortunately, the pass goes into empty space again, and both teams have to take out a robot due to yellow cards.

4:30 – Goal for us. We deflected a ball so that it rolled into the goal. Ball placement for us, unfortunately not successful, and KIKS takes over.

4:00 – Intense battle in the midfield. Ball placement in the midfield. Hard duels in the midfield. Unfortunately, our robot loses, and KIKS has the ball again.

3:30 – Two ball placements directly in a row and very little progress in between. KIKS signals a challenge flag. We are not sure why. Let’s see when it continues. We take out our number 10 because it is not playing properly, but a new robot is already ready.

3:00 – We place the ball in a very difficult situation. But with well-driving robots, it works again.

2:00 – KIKS shuts down one of our robots when it pushes against the ball. Unfortunately, we fail the ball placement. Battle in the midfield. Our new regulation doesn’t drive perfectly yet, which unfortunately affects the quality of the ball placement. Chip across the field, luckily KIKS touches it shortly before, and we can play the ball.

1:30 – We shoot at the goal. But unfortunately too fast. A robot replaces itself due to a yellow card. Nice to see. Unfortunately, we are driving a bit drunkenly. One of the robots with a broken light barrier wants to place the ball but can’t shoot.

1:00 – A puzzling decision by the automatic referee. KIKS has the kickoff and dribbles past our robots. Shoots at the goal and… unfortunately, a goal in the last second.

A well-deserved 1:1 for both teams, which have their problems but play fluidly overall.

RoboCup Eindhoven: Arrival

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After nearly a year, it’s finally time again: RoboCup 2024 is here, this year in the Dutch city of Eindhoven! Teams from all over the world and various leagues are currently traveling and will all try to claim first place in their respective leagues!

Of course, our team is also ready to go, and this morning 14 students from our team boarded a train in Nuremberg heading to Essen. What they didn’t know at the time: The train in Düsseldorf that would take them to Venlo doesn’t exist. This brings back memories of a popular meme from last year:

So, our travel group will likely arrive at the hotel in Eindhoven with an estimated delay of one hour and begin to take over the hotel rooms and floors for us and our robots. Starting next week, our team will be allowed into the hall!

By the way: Besides us, this year’s Division A will also feature teams ZJUNlict (China), KIKS (Japan), RoboCîn (Brazil), luhbots (Germany), TIGERs Mannheim (reigning world champion, Germany), Immortals (Germany), RoboDragons (Japan), and RoboTeam Twente (Netherlands). From experience, TIGERs Mannheim, ZJUNlict, and Immortals are particularly strong teams that we need to surpass!

RoboCup: Immortals vs. KIKS

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Now we have the last game of the day between KIKS and Immortals. After their outstanding performance against TIGERs Mannheim, many teams seem to be cheering for Immortals. We also hope that Immortals will win.

You can find the link to the live ticker as always on Twente’s YouTube platform or at this link.

First Half

05:00 The game is kicked off. Immortals in yellow, KIKS in blue.
04:35 Immortals waste no time: Right after the kickoff, they rush forward towards the opponent’s goal. Then the shot on goal, which counts. It’s already 1:0 for Immortals after just 25 seconds.
Immortals 1 : 0 KIKS
04:27 KIKS gets the ball from the kickoff, but Immortals gets to it quicker than KIKS would’ve liked. And even worse: the ball is in the net faster than the opponent intended. It’s now 2:0 for Immortals.
Immortals 2 : 0 KIKS
04:08 Now a bit of play in Immortals’ half, but it doesn’t get really dangerous; the shots lack spice.
03:51 Another shot by Immortals on goal, but the ball lands just inches outside. Immortals is clearly dominating the game.
03:51 Timeout for KIKS.
03:22 Bold shot by Immortals towards KIKS, but of course, such a lackluster shot is blocked by KIKS.
03:10 Currently, Immortals is building a solid lead. After some passes, another goal for Immortals: It’s now 3:0.
Immortals 3 : 0 KIKS
02:18 Another good attack by Immortals, but this time without a proper finish: It remains 3:0.
01:32 Another attack on KIKS’ goal, but this time the keeper holds it.
01:07 Another goal by Immortals! After KIKS lost the ball in a duel, Immortals passes it to one of their attackers, who successfully finds the gap between the KIKS defenders.
Immortals 4 : 0 KIKS
00:54 Another timeout for KIKS.
-00:07 After some more ball exchanges, it’s halftime with several shots on goal and a score of 4:0 for Immortals.

Second Half

05:00 And the second half continues.
04:35 The second half continues much like the first ended: Goal for Immortals, it’s now 5:0.
Immortals 5 : 0 KIKS
03:51 Another goal, but this time different: After Immortals attacked KIKS’ goal, the ball rolls into the opponent’s penalty area. Instead of safely clearing it from there, the KIKS goalkeeper, on the other hand, scores an own goal: 5:0 for Immortals.
Immortals 6 : 0 KIKS
03:15 This time KIKS managed to defuse the situation: After a corner kick for Immortals, KIKS clears it out of bounds.
01:26 After the game was meandering a bit, another goal by Immortals eventually. Apparently, this goal doesn’t count, likely because the ball was shot too fast.
01:03 But this time it counts: After the shot from one side of the goal was not possible, the Immortals bot simply passes the ball to his teammate, who then takes a shot and increases the score to 7:0.
Immortals 7 : 0 KIKS
00:17 One last timeout by KIKS, although I doubt it will help them much at this point.
00:00 With this goal, the game essentially ends, and Immortals moves forward. Their next game will be against ZJUNlict, which is a very tough opponent.