What is the difference between the DARPA Grand Challenge and ELROB 2006?
ELROB is a trial!
It allows participants to demonstrate the capabilities of their UGV in realistic scenarios and terrains.
Why is there no prize money?
Again, ELROB is a trial not a challenge in the sense of a competition or contest.
Nevertheless, it is a challenge in the sense of coping with the scenarios and requirements of the user.
Discussion about the level of difficulty compared to the Grand Challenge?
This is a trial; we are not the European version of the DARPA GC.
If this should get a topic it will be mentioned in the launch presentation.
What kind of spectators will attend ELROB?
What is the audience like?
Representatives of military, border patrol, special forces, police, fire brigades, and civil protection agencies from the major European countries will attend.
Who, when and how are people invited?
Invitations are issued by the German MoD.
If you need further information please contact the POC.
Organisational Questions
Do I have to book the flight / hotel / etc.
myself?
Yes, please see the "Links" for travel support information.
Where the heck is Hammelburg?
In the very north of Bavaria approx. 125Km east from Frankfurt am Main
Closest highway is: A7
Closest airport is: Frankfurt a.M.
Closest railway station: Hammelburg
GPS: 009'53"22.80 East
050'06"57.80 North
Map: see Downloads
We are from Russia / Switzerland / Norway, can we participate?
Yes. -
European citizenship refers to the continent not to the E.C./E.U.
Can I apply only to the trials?
Yes.
Can I apply to the exhibition and the trials?
Yes.
Do we receive a confirmation that our team has been selected for the trials?
Yes. -
Notification will be at 01.Dec 2005
What happens if I do not send the notarized form by 01.October 2005?
You will not be able to participate in ELROB 2006.
There will be a
page with names and details why the application failed.
How much does the notarization cost?
In Germany approx. 15 Euros.
Must the UGV be fully autonomous?
No.
Are fully remote controlled UGVs allowed?
Yes.
Will the autonomous and remote controlled vehicles get the same tasks?
Yes!
What is the permitted maximum height of the individual antennas?
The maximum height is 3 meters measured from the ground to the top of the antenna.
Will the vehicle be accompanied by the judges on route?
Yes! -
But not necessarily all the time
Is there time to recover unforeseen problems (between training and event)?
Yes. -
Please read the rules carefully.
Technical Questions about Track / Scenarios
How will the scenarios look like?
Please see the "Scenarios" link.
What is the steepest slope in the non-urban scenario?
Most of the slopes are below 30 degrees, but there are two that are about 40 degree.
And yes it is degree and not percent(age)!
What if we can not deal with obstacle XY or a slope of 40 degree?
There will be alternatives in the route layout.
So if a door is to narrow or a slope to steep you can bypass it.
This of course might look at bit wimpy if done often. :-)
Have the routes/scenarios been tested?
All routes/scenarios have been tested with commercial of the shelf equipment.
The dimensions of the robot were 90x65x95 (LxWxH in cm) and weight 65Kg.
Beside the test with your “magic” robot have you tested the non-urban route with other vehicles?
Of course, a Bundeswehr all terrain vehicle named Wolf (based on a Mercedes G-Modell) had no problems on the non-urban route.
(see http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolf_%28Bundeswehr%29 for details…in German)
Will there be always line of sight between the UGV and the operator station?
No. -
Buildings as well as terrain and foliage will obstruct line of sight and radio communication.
Will the scenario be specified in more detail?
Yes! -
In January we will publish more detailed information.
When will it be possible to inspect the route?
On the briefing day.
Will the spectators be able to see the whole route?
Almost! -
For those parts where direct sight is not possible a live video link is available.
What happens if it starts raining?
Since ELROB is a realistic outdoor trial it will continue even when it
is raining.
The Chief Judge Team might interrupt the trials if it is
pouring.
Communications
Can we use relays for the communication/video link?
Yes, there are two mutually exclusive ways for doing so:
You may deploy one stationary relay manually before the trial.
OR
You may deploy up to 10 stationary relays from the vehicle during the trial.
Would the use of a blimp in approx. 250m be allowed?
Did you read the rules?
Is there a D1/D2 net available in Hammelburg?
There is no guarantee that mobile phones or similar will work in Hammelburg.
This is a proving ground not a capital city.
Is there GPRS in all catastrophe areas or in the middle of a jungle?
Presentation / Display Session
Will the teams be allowed to describe the specified scenarios themselves, depending on the functionality to be shown?
There will be a Display Session (16.05.2006) where the teams may show whatever they want.
On all other days (urban, non-urban and IEDD trials), the requirements are to be met.
Is the exhibition planned as a "static" presentation or is it possible to present some functionality of the vehicles (mission modules) "dynamically"?
You will have a booth and there will be possibilities use parts of the proving ground / houses.
Is there a video presentation for the spectators?
Yes!
What possibilities are there to present the solutions to the spectators?
The presenter of the team is free to use a provided microphone and comment what is happening.
Has the moderator to be a team member.?
Yes!
Additional Information...
I am a journalist where can I get additional
information on ELROB?
You will find most of the information regarding the event on the web
site.
Please read the documents (e.g. the rules) carefully.
If you
use the documents or parts of them or pictures from the web site please
cite correctly!
You might want to read the statements under the link
"Contact".
If you have any further questions feel free to use the provided contact.
Will I get further / more detailed information when I apply for the
trials?
No, all information that is available will be published on the web site.
There is no need for fictitious applications.
Will it be possible to get more information on the route (e.g. GPS data) before the event?
No.
Also it is not possible and not allowed to get on the trial site before the event.
Any violation (even the attempted) will be published and result in exclusion from the event.
However on the first day (15.05.2006) there is a inspection of the tracks (all participants; by foot only, no robots or vehicles) where you can use cameras, GPS, etc. to gather data.
Is it possible to get a plan of site and floor plans, scale and GPS reference, or a Orthophoto?
No! -
Please remember that the trial should be as close as possible to real scenarios.
Is it possible to get additional, not yet mentioned, information, if this is required for functionality?
No! -
Please remember that the trial should be as close as possible to real scenarios.
For a successful demonstration, a realistic training is a prerequisite, when can we do this (in Hammelburg)?
Training is in the responsibility of the teams alone.
There will be no training possible on the site before the first (preparation) day.
Will there be Internet access?
Yes, T-Mobile might offer a Internet connection.
There will be an access charge.
However the organisers are in no way related to or responsible for that offer.
Please see >Downloads< for more information.