TIAGo – SciRoc – Call For Loan

The 2nd SciRoc challenge

The second ERL Smart CIty RObotic Challenge (the SciRoc challenge) will be held in Bologna, Italy from the 6^th – 11^th September 2021.

This year, the challenge will be focused around the theme of ‘Smart Inclusion’ and, as with our first SciRoc event, will be divided into a series of episodes, each consisting of a task to be performed through addressing specific research challenges. To learn more about episodes, visit here.

PAL Robotics sponsorship

After successful SciRoc challenge back in 2019, PAL Robotics is glad to open again a call for loan of TIAGo robot and Hey5 hand for the second edition SciRoc challenge.

TIAGo Robot

850€a month

Excluding taxes

Hey5 Hand

200€a month

Excluding taxes

The paid rental fees can be discounted from the sales price in order to keep the ownership of the robot at the end of the rental. Teams executing this option before the end of 2021 will also benefit from an additional 5% discount on the price of the robot.

BREAKING NEWS The company will supply one of the TIAGo robot and a Hey5 hand I for free to those teams showing outstanding expertise and innovation in their application.

PAL Robotics is PLATINUM sponsor of the 2nd SciRoc Challenge. TIAGo Robot can be used in these two out of five episodes*:

E01: Coffee Shop

E02: Sign Language Generation / Interpretation

* Teams with a TIAGo robot can participate in other episodes without any kind of restriction

How to participate

Step 1 - Application

You can apply until July 15. Teams will be able to apply to TIAGo robot and Hey5 hand.

Teams, of up to 10, may comprise of any combination of students, academics, industrial or public sector members. Students may be undergraduate or postgraduate students. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged.
Teams must be based in the European Union.
PAL Robotics encourages teams with previous experience in robotics to apply. The teams will have to prove their potential in autonomous navigation and control.
Applications will be evaluated by SciRoc consortium and PAL Robotics.
Applications must be sent electronically, with documents printable on A4 paper, with margins of at least 25 mm on all sides and 10 point font or larger. PDFs are preferred.

Applications must be emailed to tiago@pal-robotics.com and must include:

Contact details for the team leader. University teams must also supply contact details for an academic supervisor.
A one-page executive summary of the application.
The team’s motivations behind their application.
One-page CVs of the team members.
A detailed description of the team’s specialisms and expertise, as well as past research and other achievements (limited to two pages).
Videos of past achievements (with real robots or simulators).
List of target episodes of the SciRoc challenge (the more episodes the more potential value the application will have).
Detailed descriptions of how the teams plan to use the TIAGo to fulfill the tasks in each selected episode.
Teams might be requested further documentation in case of need.

Step 2 - Registration to 1st SciRoc Challenge

Applicants will have to register to the 2nd SciRoc Challenge.

Step 3 - Announcement of awarded teams

The chosen teams will be announced by PAL Robotics’ and/or SciRoc website.

Step 4 - Shipment of the robots

The robots will be shipped starting as soon as the contract is signed once the contract between the awarded team and PAL is arranged.

Step 5 - 2nd SciRoc Challenge

Participation at the Challenge is between September 6-11.

Step 6 - ERL Consumer League

Teams are encouraged to participate in the tournaments of the European Robotics League Consumer that will be announced on the SciRoc website. These tournaments will be very useful for preparation of the SciRoc Challenge.

We also encourage you to use the TIAGo Robot for IROS 2021 competitions.

The TIAGo robot

TIAGo, which stands by Take It And Go, is PAL Robotics’ mobile manipulator highly customizable, modular and expandable. The robot has demonstrated its robustness and reliability in different research areas like healthcare and collaborative industry and in several international competitions like the Robocup@Home, the ERL-SR, the WRS and the MMH.

The robot is a versatile platform providing navigation, manipulation, perception and Human Robot Interaction capabilities. TIAGo is 100% ROS based and has a public simulation model along with a comprehensive list of tutorials.

TIAGo

SciRoc Challenge-TIAGo-2019

TIAGo manipulation compilation

Hey5 hand

Conditions of the rental contract

Each selected team will sign a TIAGo rental contract of maximum 12 months with the option to terminate it right after the 2ndSciRoc challenge.
Minimum renting period – 3 months.
The monthly rental fee for the robots will be €850 for TIAGo and €200 for Hey5 hand, excluding taxes or duties.
Each contracted team undertakes full responsibility to return the robot in good condition by the end of 2021, or upon the request of PAL Robotics. This includes a commitment to cover the costs of any damage or repairs, up to the full replacement cost following complete loss of the equipment.
Each contracted team must therefore take out their own damage and loss insurance or self-insurance for the robot and associated equipment.
Each team must have previous experience in robotics and a minimum expertise in Robot Operating System (ROS) middleware. Each team must prove their potential in autonomous navigation and control.
In order to ensure teams are able to use the robot, PAL Robotics may request that the teams demonstrate the robot’s basic functionalities at any time during the rental period.
Failure to participate in at least two episodes of the 2nd SciRoc Challenge will result in termination of the team’s rental agreement.
Each team must use at all times TIAGo’s software security systems: time-outs, joint limits, etc. Modifying or disabling the security systems will lead to termination of the rental agreement and the return of the robot to PAL Robotics.
All trials must be performed in safe, enclosed areas.

Questions or Doubts ?

If you have any doubts or questions, please contact the organization via the following email and we will be happy to answer your questions!

erl@pal-robotics.com