Japan Innovation Challenge 2017

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.

Interview

Interview with team completing Contest missions

Team ArduPilot Japan

Interview with other teams that completed other missions

Result

The 2017 Contest has ended successfully.
Thank you to everyone who participated.

List of teams

No.	Team name	Website	Team introduction
1	SkyWings Inc.	https://www.facebook.com/ drone.skywings	PDF
2	Keio University Takeda Lab.
3	Team ArduPilot Japan（TAP-J）	https://ardupilot.jp/
4	WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd	https://www.skylinkjapan.com/
5	Kanamoto YDN
6	Kagura Nouki JAPAN/MAC	https://kagura-j.com/
7	Team Tohoku JV	http://www.tohoku-drone.jp/
8	Y.D.S. Pro Shop / DJI Store Shinjuku	http://www.yds-net.com/	PDF
9	Drone Support Tohoku
10	Kansai Drone Safety Organization	http://www.drone-safety.jp/
11	iRobotics, Inc.	http://irobotics.jp/	PDF
12	SkyRanger Project “Team NEX”
13	Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.	http://www.sjnk.co.jp/	PDF

Mission #1

Oct. 16

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 17

Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Insurance Inc.

Oct. 18

WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd

Oct. 19

Team ArduPilot Japan (TAP-J)

Oct. 20

WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd
Mission #2

Oct. 16

Y.D.S. Pro Shop / DJI Store Shinjuku
iRobotics, Inc.

Oct. 17

WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd
Y.D.S. Pro Shop / DJI Store Shinjuku
iRobotics, Inc.

Oct. 18

WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd
Team Tohoku JV
Y.D.S. Pro Shop / DJI Store Shinjuku
iRobotics, Inc.

Oct. 19

Team Tohoku JV

Oct. 20

WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd
Team Tohoku JV
Kansai Drone Safety Organization
Mission #3

All days

None of the teams completed missions
Night
Competition

Oct. 16

Not held

Oct. 17

SkyRanger Project “Team NEX”

Oct. 18

Not held

Oct. 19

None of the teams completed missions

Oct. 20

Not held

Summary video

Click here to see videos from Day 2 and beyond

Contest Report

This report summarizes the Contest and includes records, photos of the dummy victim when it was found, and more.

Contest Report[PDF]

Autonomous Bus Field Operation Test

The Japan Innovation Challenge 2017 Executive Committee, with help from Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido and SB Drive Corp., held a field operation test of automated buses at the Kamishihoro Town Hall on Oct. 14 (Sat.) – 16 (Mon.), 2017.

About the autonomous bus field operation test
Autonomous bus field operation test press release

Pre-Contest Briefing

The Pre-Contest briefing was held at Roppongi Academyhills from 2:30 – 4:30 p.m. on August 2 (Weds.), 2017.
The briefing included an overview of Japan Innovation Challenge 2017,
an official announcement of Contest participation conditions and regulations, and information about how to borrow dummies and rescue kits, find lodging, etc.

Japan Innovation Challenge 2017 pre-Contest briefing
Time: 2:30–4:30 p.m. on August 2 (Weds.), 2017
Place: Roppongi Academyhills, Tower Hall A, 49F

Pre-Contest briefing materials[PDF]

Goals

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.

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

One team each day
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

Divided among teams that completed the mission
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 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

There is no prize money for the night competition.

Dates

October 16 (Mon.) – October 20 (Fri.), 2017

Location

Forest owned by Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido

Schedule

●Deadline to apply to participate in the Contest: 0:00, September 16, 2017
●Plan template will be available from September 30, 2017

FAQ

About the missions
The Contest in general
Other

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).
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
Do you have rules on the timing of robot takeoff in Mission #3?: We do not. We let each team decide based on their tactics.

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.
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).
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.
Will there be paths suitable for a rover-type robot to rescue the dummy?: The dummy will be placed at a different location every day. It will not necessarily be placed on a path. There are several paths within the search area that are wide enough for people to walk on, but there are no roads that cars can drive on.
Can we set up a temporary house for remote operation?: One tent will be assigned to each team. There is no problem to operate from within the tent. If you need more than the allotted space, please consult with us.
Is it OK to temporarily set up a wireless antenna?: As long as it is in legal compliance, it is no problem.
Is it OK to use crawler-type robots?: That’s no problem.
Is it OK if we use a robot to cut trees to facilitate our search?: It is OK to remove branches or other obstacles in your way. However, please do not cut standing trees or do other things that change the environment.
Are independently flying drones OK?: That’s no problem.

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.
Specifically, what kind of people are on the Japan Innovation Challenge 2017 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 adjustments to the committee.
Can we use any number of robots and drones?: Yes, you can use as many as you like.
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.
Tell me in detail how large the venue headquarters area will be.: The venue headquarters area will be 100 m × 50 m. There will be a stage and tents for participants to use.
Will there be a DoCoMo mobile base station vehicle on site, like last time?: We plan to have it there this time too. Or, we will prepare an environment where you can use radio waves.
Can the organizer file a comprehensive application to approve drones?: Please apply for each one individually.
Once we have submitted a plan, how many days will it take to get the results?: We plan to get the first answers out by October 7. We will inform you later about the date and time.
Tell me some examples of a dangerous situation as defined by the organizer.: Operating drones in densely inhabited areas. Catching a drone by hand. Flying a drone with a rescue kit dangling from a long cable, etc.
Is there a place to repair robots that break?: There will be a power supply inside the tents. We are also offering a preparation facility in Kamishihoro-cho.
Is there some maximum amount of rain or wind speed you will allow before you decide to suspend the Contest?: Yes, a wind speed of about 10 meters/second and about 30 mm of rain. Even at lower levels, the organizer may also decide to suspend the contest if the situation is deemed dangerous.

Sponsor

Contact

Please make inquiries using the contact form.

Japan Innovation Challenge 2017

Interview

Team ArduPilot Japan

Result

List of teams

Mission #1

Mission #2

Mission #3

NightCompetition