Alpine Rescue Demonstration Experiment 2016

The objective of the Contest is to accelerate the research and development of commercial robots in Japan’s robot industry by providing assistance during disasters as a specific example of a robotics application.
It is also expected that more lives will be saved when robots or systems incorporating robots that completed the missions in the Contest are deployed across the country.

Result

The 2016 Contest has ended successfully.
Thank you to everyone who participated.

List of teams

No.	Team name	Team introduction
1	CCN., LLC iRobotics Preparation Committee	PDF
2	Kagura Nouki Japan Ltd.
3	MTH (Harada Bussan Kaisha Ltd., Type-S Co., Ltd.)	PDF
4	Murayama Kogyo Co., Ltd.
5	Chihaya Service Limited
6	Osaka University ToolBox, Aero G Lab Ltd., Kansai Television Co. Ltd
7	NEXCO-East Innovation and Communications Co., Ltd.	PDF
8	DRONE BIRD / CrisisMappers Japan
9	WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd SkyLink Japan
10	AiR Inc.	http://air-works.jp/
11	Tokushima University, Aichi Institute of Technology, Fukuyama University
12	Nippon Institute of Technology
13	Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.

Mission #1

Oct. 17

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 18

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 19

CCN., LLC iRobotics Preparation Committee Team

Oct. 20

Mission suspended because of bad weather

Oct. 21

Contest called off at noon because of strong wind
WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd SkyLink Japan Team
Mission #2

Oct. 17

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 18

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 19

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 20

Mission suspended because of bad weather

Oct. 21

Contest called off at noon because of strong wind
Mission #3

Oct. 17

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 18

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 19

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 20

Mission suspended because of bad weather

Oct. 21

Contest called off at noon because of strong wind

Summary video

Oct. 17

Oct. 18

Oct. 19

Oct. 20(mission suspended because of bad weather)

Oct. 21

Pre-Contest Briefing

Pre-Contest briefing materials[PDF]

Promotion movie

Goals

Innovate and develop drones and industrial robot technologies.
Accelerate commercialization of robot products and international competitiveness of Japanese robot engineering.
Activate rural areas by holding this contest in a small town.

Regulations

Click here for detailed regulations

Experiment Content

Mission #1 Locate Missing Person

Locate a mannequin as a missing person and specify its location (longitude and latitude) and take a photograph of it.

Prize

500,000JPY

Divided among teams that completed the mission
Mission #2 Send Rescue Kit To Missing Person

Send a rescue kit (a 3kg box, assuming a transceiver and blankets in it which is prepared by the organizer) within a three meter radius of the mannequin.

Prize

5,000,000JPY

One team during the Contest
Mission #3 Rescue Missing Person

Rescue a mannequin and bring it back within a ten meter radius of the starting point.

Prize

20,000,000JPY

One team during the Contest

Click here for detailed regulations

Prize

Mission #1 Locate Missing Person
500,000JPY

Mission #2 Send Rescue Kit To Missing Person
5,000,000JPY

Mission #3 Rescue Missing Person
20,000,000JPY

Dates

October 17 (Mon.) – October 22 (Fri.), 2016
10:00〜16:00

Location

Forest owned by Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido

FAQ

About the missions
The Contest in general
Other

What kind of search range do you anticipate?: At the least, it will be within the Contest venue (3 km2). The scenario is an accident in the mountains, so plan on forest roads and places apart from forest roads.
What notation system should we use to send in the GPS information in Mission #1?: Use the degrees, minutes, and seconds of the World Geodetic System (WGS84).
Will we know the dummy’s clothing and color in advance?: Since the scenario is an accident in the mountains, it will be announced on the day of the Contest. You should assume it is typical mountain climbing clothing.
If a rescue kit crashed into the dummy during a drop in Mission #2: “Reach,” how you would judge that?: Because the dummy basically represents a person, the team would be disqualified for that day if the rescue kit crashed into the dummy.
Will site weather and wind speed forecasts, dummy clothing, and other information be announced in advance?: Each morning, the organizer will announce information such as whether the Contest will be held and what clothing the dummy is wearing.
How will time and precision be reflected in the evaluation criteria in Missions #1 and #2? For example, will points be added or deducted based on distance error?: In Missions #1 and #2, as long as the results are within the precision described in the rules, there will be no further points added or deducted.
Will Mission #2 be considered completed if we first lower the rescue kit by rope and then drag it close to the dummy, or if we use a drone, etc. to carry the rescue kit, drop it, and then carry it closer to the dummy?: As long as you stay within the rules and comply with the law, the method does not matter, so we encourage you to try all sorts of ideas.

You said that “if any safety hazard, such as snow, is observed during the Contest Period, the Contest may be closed early, even if the Contest is still in progress,” but what specific numerical values do you mean? And if you are to close early, how would you decide, and by what time?: For example, if a storm warning is issued, we may decide to close the Contest after a discussion. Based on that day’s conditions, we would send a message to participants by 9:00 a.m. and also make an announcement on the Contest’s official website.
There is going to be a position tracking tag that weighs about 200g. Can you give any detailed specifications? And will it be distributed to us?: Specifications will be announced in mid-August and tags will be distributed by the Contest office.
Can we use any number of robots and drones?: Yes, you can use as many as you like.
What are the conditions under which humans can operate the robots?: The scenario is that you would be using robots deployed for a rescue from an actual alpine accident. So, the operating methods you could use include not only automatic operation, but also wired or wireless operation and using images to confirm the dummy victim. As for the operating place, you will operate robots from the designated place (near the starting point).
Do teams have to participate in all three missions? For example, is it possible to participate in the Contest and just do Mission #1 but not #2 and #3?: You do not have to participate in all missions. It is OK to participate in Mission #1 only.
Is there likely to be a problem of interference because of frequency during the Contest?: Although it is conceivable that interference will happen during wireless use of drones, etc. at the Contest venue, each team should use a wireless system that considers interference and also consider using a band monitor to avoid interference. We hope that this event will lead to innovative ideas about the use of wireless systems. We have determined that it is impossible for us to set wireless system operating standards in advance for each team. Thank you for your understanding. It is fine if teams speak with each other onsite to coordinate their frequencies.
Are there any limits on the number of people on each team?: No. There are no limits on how many people may be on a team.
Will we be able to make physical contact with robots that are within the virtual fence?: Robots can be operated from the starting point, so you can do things like changing batteries, but if a robot becomes unusable in the mountains, it can no longer be physically touched until it is recovered after the end of that day’s mission. The organizer will recover such robots.
Is it OK to touch the device to change the battery?: Yes, as long as it is done at the starting point.

You said, “All teams participating in the Contest must participate on the first day (Oct. 17 (Mon.), 2016),” but is it possible to start participating midway through if it is impossible to get there on the first day, because of work, etc.?”: There will be an opening ceremony on the first day of the Contest. Please consult with us if you must miss it.
Is it OK to leave when my own team’s mission is done?: Yes, you do not have to continue participating in the Contest until the final day.
Is there a map showing the visitors’ area, virtual fence, and starting point?: A map will be released on the web in mid-August. However, for safety reasons, we ask that you do not visit the Contest venue without permission.
Please consult with us if you wish to inspect the site.
Will it be possible to work on and maintain robots at the elementary school?: Yes. Just be sure you do not bother other teams.
Specifically, what kind of people are on the Japan Innovation Challenge 2016 Executive Committee? Are there existing robotics companies or universities on the committee?: The committee membership will include the sponsor companies and local government personnel. We are presently making the final adjustments to the committee.
Membership has to be approved by the local government’s legislature, so an additional announcement will be made once there is an official decision. There will not be any existing robotics companies or universities on the committee.
Do you plan to hold any detailed briefings or similar going forward?: There will be a pre-Contest Briefing at Roppongi Hills on August 19. Use the application form at the Contest’s website to apply to participate.
How can we use the Ijyu Taiken House (“movable experience house”)?: After receiving applications, we will consider them and get back to you. We hope to have as many people as possible use it, so we will prioritize large groups.

Sponsor

Visiting the site

Venue

"The venue is at the foot of Naitai Highlands (Naitai Kogen) in Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido (166 and 167, Kamiotofuke, Kamishihoro-cho).
You will need to visit by car, since it is far from the urban area of Kamishihoro-cho.
To get there, aim for Naitai Kogen Farm."

Missions schedule and hours open for visits

Oct. 17 (Mon.) – 21 (Fri.), 2016
9:30 a.m. Venue opens
*Vehicles may be entering the venue before 9:30 a.m., so visitors are not allowed to enter before then for safety reasons.
10:00 a.m. Missions begin
*Visitors are free to enter and exit the venue between 10:00 a.m. and 4 p.m.
4:00 p.m. End of missions
5:00 p.m. Venue closes
*Please exit the venue by 5:00 p.m.

Parking

There is enough parking for about 40 vehicles. (85-13, Kamiotofuke, Kamishihoro-cho)
The parking lot is about a 15-minute walk from the venue.

Contact

Please make inquiries using the contact form.