The Fourth Alpine Accident Robot Search and Rescue Contest 2019

The objective of the Contest is to accelerate the research and development of commercial robots in Japan’s robot industry by providing, as a specific example of a robotics application, assistance during disasters.
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.

Announcement of results

The 2019 Contest has ended successfully.
Thank you everyone who participated.

List of teams

No.	Team name	Website	Team introduction
1	SkyRanger Project “Team NEX”
2	Seisa Kokusai High School Hachioji featuring Aero M’s Inc.	http://aeroms.co.jp/ http://seisa.ed.jp/hachi/
3	Team ArduPilot JAPAN(TAP-J)	https://ardupilot.jp/	PDF
4	Japan RoboTEX	http://optecs.co.jp	PDF
5	WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd	https://www.skylinkjapan.com/
6	mm Guard, Inc.	http://www.mmguard.jp	PDF
7	Team OLAF
8	Yamaguchi Industrial Drone Association	https://y-drone.com/

Mission #1

Oct. 9

No applicable teams (mission partially canceled due to rain and wind)

Oct. 10

SkyRanger Project “Team NEX”

Oct. 11

No applicable teams
Mission #2

Oct. 9

No applicable teams

Oct. 10

Team ArduPilot JAPAN (TAP-J)

WorldLink & Company Co., Ltd

Oct. 11

No applicable teams
Special Award

Kamishihoro-cho Mayor’s Award

Japan RoboTEX
(taking a bold challenge on Mission #3: “Rescue”)

Contest Report

Contest Report[PDF]

Pre-Contest Briefing

Pre-Contest briefing materials[PDF]

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

3,000,000JPY

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

2,000,000JPY

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

Divided among teams that completed the mission

Click here for detailed regulations[PDF]

Click here for detailed of
mission area, etc.[PDF]

Prize

Mission #1 Locate Missing Person
3,000,000JPY

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

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

Dates

Oct. 9 (Weds.) – 11 (Fri.), 2019
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (scheduled)

Location

Forest owned by Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido

Schedule

●Deadline to apply to participate in the Contest: 12:00 noon, August 30 (Fri.), 2019
●Deadline to submit plan (Missions #1, #2): 12:00 noon, August 30 (Fri.), 2019
●Deadline to submit plan (Mission #3): 12:00 noon, September 13 (Fri.), 2019
●Deadline to apply to visit the Contest: 11:59 p.m., October 7 (Mon.), 2019
●Welcoming Party: 5:00 p.m., October 8 (Tues.), 2019
●Opening Ceremony: 9:00 a.m., October 9 (Weds.), 2019
●Closing Ceremony: 11:00 a.m., October 12 (Sat.), 2019

FAQ

About the missions
The Contest in general
Other

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 the dummy’s approximate geolocation for Mission #1: “Discover” be provided to teams?: No. Not even an approximate location will be provided for Mission #1: “Discover.” Your search should be based on the assumption that the dummy is located somewhere in the official search area.
If a rescue kit crashed into the dummy during a drop in Mission #2: “Reach,” how you would judge that?: Because the dummy represents a person, the team would be disqualified for that day if the rescue kit crashed into the dummy.
Is it allowed for people to go into the search area with a robot when rescuing the approximately 50 kg dummy?: People are prohibited to go inside the search area. You must use a robot to perform the rescue.
Does the rescue dummy have non-moving joints, etc. like the “Discover” and “Reach” dummies?: We are considering a rescue dummy that has movable joints. We are currently selecting a dummy to use, taking body weight balance, joint movement, and more into account.
The limit of 2G of impact during rescue seems rather difficult. Along with a dummy, can we borrow the sensors that will be used in the mission?: We are considering lending those also.
What is the schedule like for the “Rescue” mission? Will it happen at the same time as “Discover” and “Reach?”: We think we will start it at the same time as “Discover” and “Reach.” However, we plan to put the rescue dummy in a different place than during the “Discover” and “Reach” missions.
Will there be multiple rescue dummies, or just one? Won’t there be a scramble to get at the dummy?: We are thinking to put out just one, based on the entries we’ve gotten in the past. If we get multiple entries, we will consider it.
How will time and precision be reflected in the evaluation criteria of missions? For example, will points be added or deducted based on distance error?: 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 missions?: You do not have to participate in all missions. For example, it is OK to participate in Mission #1, “Discover,” only.

You have a limit of two vehicles. Is that the limit on how many we can bring, or on how many can be in the air at the same time?: Two is the limit on how many robots may be used at a time.
Will the dummy have a body temperature again this year?: We are not thinking of making it have a body temperature this year, because the mission will be held during the daytime. However, after checking the teams’ plans, we will consider giving the dummy a body temperature if there are teams that plan to use an infrared camera or other means to track body temperature.
Can the GPS tags distributed by the Contest office be borrowed in advance?: We will accommodate such requests. Teams wishing to borrow GPS tags will please inquire within the Contest office.
Will you be disclosing the GPS tag’s manufacturer and model number?: We will accommodate such requests. Teams wishing for that information will please inquire within the Contest office.
Will the coordinates of the takeoff/landing point be disclosed?: We will disclose the coordinates of the starting area, search area, and mission area.
In your scenario, you describe a situation in which the victim’s mobile phone becomes unusable. Is it the assumption that the battery had died, or that there was no usable signal?: We are assuming that the mobile phone’s battery had run out, so we do not anticipate equipping the dummy with a mobile phone. However, if there are any teams that wish the dummy to be equipped with a mobile phone, even if the battery has run out, we will consider equipping the dummy with a mobile phone.
Can we use a glider or similar vehicle?: There are no restrictions on what kinds of vehicles you use.
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 starting point.
Will we be able to make physical contact with robots in the mission area?: Robots can be operated from the starting point, so you can do things like change batteries, but if a robot becomes unusable anywhere else, 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.
How many GPS units/tags can a team get to put on their vehicles in case one is lost?: We can distribute as many as you need. As a general rule, teams must put GPS units and tags on all vehicles.
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.
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.
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.
Are independently flying drones OK?: That’s no problem.
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.
Is it OK to temporarily set up a wireless antenna?: As long as it is in legal compliance, it is no problem. Please write about it on your written proposal.

Can we see the venue in advance, and fly our drones there in advance?: If there are any such requests, we’ll coordinate schedules and give an onsite briefing. Also, participating teams need to get the necessary permissions and make the necessary filings to fly their drones.
Specifically, what kind of people are on the Japan Innovation Challenge Executive Committee? Are there existing robotics companies or universities on the committee?: The committee membership will include the sponsor companies and local government personnel.
I’d like to know more about the weather at the venue.: According to the Meteorological Agency, the average temperature in October at Kamishihoro-cho, Hokkaido was 8.1°C from 2013–2017. During the same period, average wind speed was 2.16 m/s and average maximum instantaneous wind speed was 19.14 m/s. For more detailed information, see the data from resources such as the Meteorological Agency.
Is there a place to repair robots that break?: There will be a power supply inside the tents.
Is it OK to leave when my team’s mission is done?: Yes, you do not have to continue participating in the Contest until the final day.
What models have teams used in the past?: Drones that have been used include the Phantom, Mavic, and Matrice models from DJI. Some teams have also entered with drones they built themselves. Other than drones, teams have used four-wheeled vehicles and a modified excavator.
How many years of mountain climbing experience is the victim supposed to have?: Assume the victim has no more than 3 years of experience, with a total of no more than 10 climbs.
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?: For example, if a storm warning is issued, we may decide to close the Contest after discussion. Based on that day’s conditions, we would send a message to participants, by email for example.
Will there be a place other than the venue for adjusting our vehicles?: We will consider it if requested.
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.