The R2C2 now has a discussion forum (http://roboticsforum.roboticrangeclearance.com).
The LOI, the Competition Rules and Metrics Document, and the current Question and Answer document have all been posted
The forum will allow anyone interested to discuss any topics relevant to the Robotic Range Clearance Competition.
The first topic is aimed at helping potential competitors find teammates and/or sponsors!
Click on the link to the forum above, read the READ ME FIRST post, follow the directions and join the R2C2 community!
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
We are updating you on the status of the Robotics Range Clearance Competition (R2C2) preparations and competitor entry information. The Letter of Intent (LOI) to compete has finally been released and is available on the website for your reference. The deadline to receive LOI is by close of business on 3 May 2010. Teams that submit LOIs after the deadline may still be afforded the opportunity to compete based on available resources.
In order to reduce the cost and effort required by teams to participate, the competition has been restructured slightly. The requirement to participate in qualification trial events at Camp Guernsey in August of this year has been removed. Instead of qualification trials, the competition is now requiring each team to present its proposed system solution at a meeting between the team and the R2C2 Oversight team. This meeting will be treated as an In-Process Review (IPR) in order for the R2C2 Oversight team to make a determination about the proposed solution’s viability in the competition. The IPRs will be hosted by the competitor teams between 1 November 2010 and 19 November 2010. The date will be assigned to the competitor team by the R2C2 Oversight team.
In addition, the Rules and Metrics document for the competition and the competition Q&A document are now posted on the website.
The competition will be held at Camp Guernsey, WY in August and September of 2011.
Please post any questions regarding this announcement through the RoboticRangeClearance.com website using the Question/Comment Form.
Thank you again for your interest and participation in the Robotic Range Clearance Competition events.
Respectfully,
Dr. Jim Overholt
Joint Ground Robotics Enterprise Director
Keep in mind that Letters of Intent are required in order to compete. Only the first 10 teams to submit signed letters of intent will be assured entry in the competition.
Please submit completed Letters of Intent by email to bruce.donlin.ctr@osd.mil or fax them to ATTENTION: Bruce Donlin (703)695-3063.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
The Office of Secretary of Defense (OSD) in collaboration with the US Army will conduct a Competition (with a cash prize(s) for the winner(s) in order to foster the ability to clear training ranges of debris and unexploded ordnance (UXO) using robotic technologies. Experience to date with robotic range clearance suggests a significant potential for time and cost savings as well as increases in the safety for the personnel conducting this activity. The ultimate aim is to return to productive use the millions of acres currently encumbered with spent training rounds and debris. The Department of Defense (DoD) intends for this Competition to result in viable systems that can be procured and placed into service clearing ranges.
Competitors looking to compete for the cash prize must first demonstrate a viable robotic system capable of safely executing tasks inherent in clearing UXO ranges. Assuming a sufficient quantity of competitors qualify to participate in the Competition, the DoD will award $2M in cash prizes against the various competition categories and pursue a separate procurement contract to purchase robotic range clearance systems or services. The Competition will be held at Camp Guernsey, WY.