Field battle using an artificial intelligence robot that is showing excitement suddenly "RoboMasters"

Competition to fight for position using five types of handmade robot "RoboMastersIt seems to be flourishing. At RoboMasters held in Shenzhen, China, a robot battle by 200 college teams gathered from all over the country is spreading, but there is a need for some automatic piloting using artificial intelligence recognition technology etc. , It has become a high level battle where the latest technology is required.

Rise of the RoboMasters | The Verge
http://www.theverge.com/2016/9/27/13059144/dji-robomasters-robot-drone-battle-video-frank-wang-interview

The state of actual RoboMasters can be seen in the following movie.

RoboMasters 2016: inside DJI's robot deathmatch - YouTube


A field where various obstacles are placed. This is the place of confrontation where robot conflict of position is done.


Participating teams are 200 college students who gathered around China.



At the venue, the state of fighting is displayed on a large display, and the atmosphere like a spectacular sports event.


It seems that a full-fledged thing is brought in for intermediary equipment.


The fighting venue is a multipurpose stadium in Shenzhen City, China "Shenzhen Gulf Sports Center"DJI that is known for drone etc. is sponsoring the event.


Each team actively defeats the opponent by defeating opponent by protecting the position by making full use of four types of vehicles such as infantry type fighting forward and bombing from the sky, defensive type to protect defense.


The situation is that of "e-sports" which has become popular recentlyMOBA(Multiplayer · online · battle · arena) battle version etc.


In the field, there are obstacles that can be used for defense, places where golf balls for attacks and the like are located, and how to use them will be the key to the strategy.


The vehicle is equipped with a camera, and the player maneuvers while looking at the screen. A Cannon cannon for attacks is loaded and a small plastic bullet is launched, and when the opponent is hit, the sensor senses the strength of the shock, and if it is judged to be effective, it is judged as "knocked down" , The movement is supposed to stop.


Singapore'sNanyang University of TechnologyAccording to the players who participated from, the robotic vehicle has three key systems to be installed.


One is a "driving system" that governs the movement of the vehicle. Depending on the vehicle, complicated movements are also possible, and vehicles equipped with the following special tires appear to have high mobility that they can move sideways as well as front and rear.


The second is "weapons system" that attacks the opponent. By shooting small plastic bombs and golf balls towards the other, it deals damage.


And the third is the "judgment system" which senses the level of attack. This equipment is to be paid from DJI which is an organizer of the convention to ensure fairness.


The game started. Each player operates while watching the video sent from the vehicle's camera to move, attack and defend.


The state of playing is exactly e - sports itself.


Five types of robotic vehicles are used.


Infantry (infantry) is a type that reads and runs around the field like attacking characters.


Hero (Hero) carries a powerful attack system and deals damage to the opponent.


Drone (Drone) is an attack unit from the sky that attacks by bombing a golf ball.


And Base (Base) is the last fort to defend your position. Even if other vehicles are safe, the team loses when Base is taken down. In addition, it is obliged to use autopilot using computer recognition technology only for this Base unit.


Station (refueling station) to refuel ammunition is also an important device.


Fighting begins and infantry unit that jumps out.


The drone unit carries a golf ball and attacks enemy vehicles.


In the middle of the field, a golf ball for attack is placed. Both teams supply ammunition here and use them for attack.


Collect golf balls with pantograph arms ......


Drop and attack opponent


In order to get a golf ball, it is necessary to climb the stage that is higher than the obstacle and is higher. This team seems to try to avoid obstacles by using a telescopic suspension.


In the battle, supplementing ammunition is important, so each team will get gangs and golf balls.



Although it is a fight with robot vehicles, technology is also required for development of software as well as development of hardware itself.


A major feature of RoboMasters is that it incorporates computer recognition system "Computer Vision" as an element of battle.


Computer vision is one of the most important technologies in the world of automated driving vehicles where technology development is popular. RoboMasters, which incorporates its computer vision into rules, seems to be called the world's highest level robot battle.


Automatic piloting using computer vision is used to control the base unit. Each team must program so that you can recognize enemies and ally automatically, and perform attacks against enemies without human intervention.


Frank Wang, CEO of DJI, the main sponsor of the event said, "Computer vision is an indispensable technology for developing new applications in the future, so we decided to incorporate this technology into RoboMasters." It is.


Each team develops a battle in a flashy field.


And the winner was awarded a prize of 50,000 dollars (about 5 million yen), as it is a professional sports event. DJI's Wang CEO says, "By multiplying technology and entertainment, technology progresses, even if you do not become a superstar like a professional athlete, they become competent engineers, inventors , And I can grow up as an entrepreneur ".


In addition, among the students who participated in RoboMasters, there is also an "option" that enables skilled talent to be hired as an engineer to DJI.