webots-newsletter : Message: Webots Newsletter [May 2009]

Webots™ Newsletter
News for the Webots™ user community.

May 2009

Webots 6.1.3 released!

Webot 6.1.3 is available for download for Linux 32, Linux 64, Mac OS X and Windows. This new version fixes a number of bugs, restores the support for URBI 1.5, upgrades to Python 2.6 for controller programs and introduces several improvements in the robotstadium simulation environment. All the users of Webots are recommended to upgrade to this new version. The complete change log is available here.

Soccerbots lean how to fall gracefully

Up until now, most work with humanoid robotics has focused on keeping them upright and balanced, but in the real world, falling down is inevitable. So now researcher in Chile are looking at teaching their Soccerbots how to fall down gracefully to minimize damage and allow for a quick recovery. According to a New Scientist article, 'They found that one of the main ways to minimise damage is for the robot to fold its legs underneath it. Among other things, that means the robot is much less likely to hit its head on the ground. Another good strategy is to use a fall sequence consisting of several movements, so the falling body has several points of contact with the ground, spreading the energy of the impact over a large number of joints, rather than taking it all in one disastrous crunch.'

Robotstadium: watch matches online from 3pm (CEST) through our new webcam!

The 2009 edition of the robotstadium competition, based on the Nao robot and the Standard Platform League (SPL) of the RoboCup soccer competition started a few weeks ago. There are now 7 competitors participating into the competition which remains open to new comers until the beginning of July 2009. The hall of fame is currently dominated by Borregos_Nao (Mexico) followed by Che (Russia), Kouretes (Greece), apryce (USA), double.p (Italy), Cracoucass (Switzerland) and AsuraFit (Japan). Matches are played every business day and are visible in real time through a webcam system. Downloadable match movies are published shortly afterwards. The winner of 2009 competition will be awarded a cash prize of at least 1,000 Swiss Francs as well as gifts (Webots licenses, etc.).Not enough? You are welcome to donate some gifts or money to the upcoming winners through our donation page.

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