General Information

02/08/2023

We are almost 1 week away from the remote skills event!

Please read the entire contents of this message very carefully to make the most of your participation at the event. 

VERY IMPORTANT: We are now REQUIRING 2 CAMERAS and 2 SEPARATE MICROSOFT TEAMS LOGINS.  One camera must be stationary at all times with a view of the field, timer, driver, and an adult.  The second camera is mobile for moving closer in on the robot and scoring items, if the ref determines it is necessary.  You will not be permitted to compete if you have not connected to Teams with two different devices.  Contact me if you have any questions whatsoever about this. 

We recommend you do the following: 

THIS WEEK  

1. Identify two mobile devices (iPhones or Androids are a good choice), each with a camera 
2. Install Microsoft Teams on each device 
3. Verify Teams works by connecting the two devices on a Teams call – verify audio and video works on both 
4. Ensure you have a spot for one stationary camera that can see the field, a timer, the driver, competition switch (if used), and an adult 
5. Ensure you have good wifi 

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1/31/2023

Please read the entire contents of this message very carefully to make the most of your participation at the event. 

IMPORTANT UPDATE: We are now REQUIRING 2 CAMERAS and 2 SEPARATE TEAMS LOGINS.  One camera must be stationary at all times with a view of the field, timer, driver, and an adult.  The second camera is mobile for moving closer in on the robot and scoring items, if the ref determines it is necessary.  You will not be permitted to compete if you have not connected to Teams with two different devices.  

We recommend you do the following:  

1 Week Before the Competition  

1. Identify two mobile devices (iphones or Androids are a good choice), each with a camera  
2. Install Microsoft Teams on each device  
3. Verify Teams works by connecting the two devices on a Teams call – verify audio and video works on both  
4. Ensure you have a spot for one stationary camera that can see the field, a timer, the driver, competition switch (if used), and an adult  
5. Ensure you have good wifi  

1 Day Before the Competition  

1. Verify the devices are still working  
2. Verify the field is ready for the next day’s competition  
3. Inspect your robot - VRC Robot Inspection Checklist – REC Library (roboticseducation.org) on the table you will use for inspection the next day  

Competition Day  

1. Connect each mobile device to the Teams Event at least 10 minutes before your scheduled time  
2. Immediately mute the microphone and speaker on the stationary device  
3. Be ready to have your robot and field inspected, including a size check using the VEX Sizing Tool  
4. Ensure your timer is in view and someone is there to start and stop it.  Here is an excellent timer: https://www.vextimer.com/   

How the event will work:  

1. You will log in two devices to Teams.  You will then turn on your cameras and turn off the microphone and speakers for the stationary camera only.  
2. A host may inspect your field and robot (using your second mobile camera).  Pro Tip: pre-inspect your robot and field, as you will not be offered additional time to fix items out of specification.  
3. When a field referee is free, both of your Teams cameras will be sent to the appropriate referee’s room.  
4. If you haven’t already been inspected, the referee will inspect you. If you have been inspected, the referee will begin to ref your skills runs.  Pro Tip: The inspector may ask you to remove a flywheel motor cap; be prepared to show the inspector the cartridge.  It is strongly recommended to have a polycarbonate layout in case the inspector believes you are past your poly limit.  
5. When each of your 3 driver and 3 autonomous runs begin, you will need to be in the view of the stationary camera, all the way until the run is scored.  
6. When scoring, the referee may ask you to take the mobile camera around to each scoring object.  PRO TIP: Scoring endgame will be faster if you use Scoring Cups (see picture for an example).  We recommend putting numbers on cups for scoring.  
7. After scoring a run is complete, you will reset your field as fast as possible and await the referee to give the verbal signal to start the next run.  
8. Once your time is up, you will disconnect from the event and watch for all scores on RobotEvents.com.  

IF YOU RUN OUT OF TIME FOR ANY REASON, YOUR SKILLS RUNS ARE DONE – NO EXCEPTIONS, including scoring disputes, disqualifications due to endgame shootouts, 4+ disk scoring, and others. 

 All communication verbally and written are in English.

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01/06/2023

Welcome to the Logan & Ben Live Remote Skills Challenge! Read below for the steps to help your team be ready to compete.

The first thing to do is to go to 

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C44AFA923AAF49-logans and choose your time slot. Do this soon, as spaces may fill up quickly.

Here's how the event will work:

VERY IMPORTANT:

• At least one adult, who is not a team member, must initiate your team's video call and remain visible on the video stream at all times.
• All participants (In-person and Remote) must have a Participant Release Form on file. It is the responsibility of the Team’s Primary Contact to make sure this occurs.

Payment:

• Due by February 16, 2023

Technology:

• The event uses Microsoft Teams audio and video. Please make sure your system can use Teams audio and video.
• We are requiring 2 Cameras : One Stationary showing the entire field and One camera that is moblie to assist in scoring.  Both cameras will be required to be logged into teams link.  
• Webcams must be logged into the event at least 10 minutes before your time slot. 
• You must use one Competition Switch, Field Controller setup with Tournament Manager, or an extra V5 Brain with the appropriate software to start and stop your runs (the switch must be visible at all times).
• You must have a timer visible during the driver and autonomous runs. The timer must be visible at all times. You will need someone to operate the switch and timer (this can be the adult who initiated the call).
• Your camera will need to be at least 720p resolution.

During your team's Skills runs:

• The controller must be visible at all times.
• The driver must be visible at all times.
• The camera must show all field objects at all times.

How/When to Connect:

• You will connect to a link sent to the email you used at Signup Genius 10 minutes before your time slot. The link will be sent out a day or so before the event.
• Reserve your slot here - https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0C44AFA923AAF49-logans
• Your time slot is 30 minutes. Therefore, you will have only 30 minutes to complete both the robot/field inspection and your skills runs.
• Your team must manage their own time to maximize the 30 minutes. The referee will not go past your time slot's end time. 

Inspection

• Inspection will occur during your time slot.
• We would strongly recommend that you pre-inspect. We will send you an inspection sheet before the event.
• Both your field and robot will be inspected.
• You will need a VEX measuring tool (or equivalent, measuring tape, etc.)
• The ref will need to see a closeup of your robot on camera, so be prepared to have a mobile camera ready.
• Your team may be asked to open a motor to expose your motor cartridge.
• Your team may be asked to provide a polycarbonate diagram for your robot, proving you used the appropriate amount of polycarbonate.

Skills Rules:

• This event will follow the Vex “Rules for Live Remote Skills” published document, Game Manual Appendix B, and RobotEvents Q&A.

Thank you so much for signing up for this event.

Good luck to all participating teams! 

Oct 28 2022 *******

Welcome to Logan and Ben's Final Challenge!

Thank you for participating in our Live Remote Skills Event.  

Each participating teams will have a 30 min time slot for Inspection, field inspection, 3 driver and 3 programming runs

Time Blocks will be scheduled after registration closes.

The event will start at 5:15 pm EST and end at 9:15 pm EST

Each team is required to have a poly diagram for inspection with detailed measurements.

All Drive Team Members must begin the Match in the Alliance Station which corresponds to the chosen Robot starting location.

Teams get 2 preloads and 7 Match Load Discs at each Alliance Station which can be entered by 1 Drive Team Member.

All registered Teams will be able to view live the Matches being played by all other registered.

REC Foundation Staff will have access to view all matches while being played live.

The online meeting environment will not be accessed or viewed by the general online public while the event is live, e.g. the event will be password protected or invite-only.

Guests will be invited by the Event Partner can be able to view, but may not have use of their micro- phone or camera or display anything for teams to see or hear.

After the event is over, there are no such restrictions with videos. 

At all times, there will be a minimum of (2) Adults over the age of 18 in the remote meeting environment before Students are allowed to connect. One of those Adults will be the Event Partner.

The Team’s Primary Contact, or another designated Adult Team contact (over the age of 18), must be present in the remote meeting environment throughout the duration of the scheduled time for that Team. The Team’s Primary Contact will be responsible for providing the Adult representative’s contact information to the Event Partner prior to the event.

All Team camera footage must be streamed live, from one camera feed, with no “cuts”.

Pre-recorded Robot Skills Matches are strictly prohibited in a Live, Remote event.

The Drive Team Member(s), Robot(s), Controller(s) and complete competition field must remain on camera at all times during the Match.

A Stopwatch / Tournament Manager display that shows the match time must be on video the entire time during the Match.

The camera must be able to move around the field, with no breaks or “cuts”, so that it can verify standard Head Referee checks before and after the Match. These could include (but are not limited to) Starting Position placement, game and field element placements, and any necessary scoring verification.

 If this is not feasible due to a Team’s equipment or facility limitations, a second camera stream must be used for these close-up checks. This is the only permissible exception to the “single-camera” rule set forth by , and Teams utilizing this exception should expect additional scrutiny.

Live, Remote Robot Skills Matches must include some live interaction between the Team and the Head Referee.

 A Drive Team Member must pair their Controller to their Robot on video prior to each Match.  The Head Referee will ask the Team if they are ready, and the Team must respond verbally /visually on video.

If the Head Referee needs to see a closer or different angle of the Robot Starting Position or any field elements, the Team must be able to satisfy this request.

The Match will begin with the Team member who is controlling their clock to give a countdown for the Match to start. This person does not need to be a Drive Team Member.

After the Match, Teams must move the camera per the Head Referee’s instructions to verify scored game elements before the field is reset.

The Head Referee will confirm to the Team verbally what is being counted.

 There are no video or photo replays in a Live, Remote Skills-Only Event. One common example will be for a referee to ask a Team to move the camera over to a goal to show if Discs are properly scored in that Goal. The Head Referee will ask the Team a series of questions, and might ask for a couple of different camera angles, but once the referee makes a determination based on these ques-tions and viewing angles, the referee’s decision is final.

Match replays are at the discretion of the Head Referee. In addition to the examples provided in , live video circumstances (such as a video cutting out, or a Match timing error) could warrant a Match replay at the Head Referee’s discretion.

Any violation of any rules will result in the Match score being recorded as zero. That Match will count as one of the Team’s allotted Matches.

Each participating teams will have a 30 min time slot for Inspection, field inspection, 3 driver and 3 programming runs

If a team intends to finish the Robot Skills Match early and record a Skills Stop Time, they should inform the Scorekeeper Referee prior to the match per the guidelines. If a team expands with :33 seconds remaning on the field timer, a Skills Stop Time of :23 seconds would be recorded.  Note that this rule also applies even if the Expansion occurs unitentionally (e.g. accidental early deployment of an Endgame Mechanism).  In this scenario, the referee will verbally inform the Team that the Endgam has started, began 10 second countdown and record the Skills Stop Time accordingly.  

You must have  2  webcams available in order to compete using Teams.  

Camera 1:

*Must be stationary for the skills run

*Shows the entire field the entire time

* Shows driver, programmer and remote control

* Shows Adult present and students on camera

* A visable Timer

Camera 2:

This camera must be mobile to view scoring items on the field

 All Cameras must be atleast 720P

Grade Level: Middle and High Schooll

Skills Challenge Offered: Yes

Refunds: Unfortunately, we are unable to offer refunds.

Link: Link to connect will be provided the week of event. 

Volunteer: If you would like to volunteer please email Shannon at [email protected]

Payment: Teams must have Paid status to compete by Feb 14, 2023

Waitlist

27 teams are on the waitlist for this event.