Montreal to Host Robocup International, June 18-21

Over 4,000 humans and 5,000 robots from 35 countries will gather in Montreal for the 22nd RoboCup International Competition and Symposium at the Palais des congrès de Montréal from June 18 to June 21 (Competition) and June 22 (Symposium).

RoboCup is the world’s largest international competition for intelligent and autonomous robots. The RoboCup Federation and RoboCup communities worldwide inspire students from all ages and importantly research and development to excel in the industries of science, technology, engineering, arts, and math through robotics. It fosters talent in fully autonomous robotics, machine learning and every programming language. Both RoboCupJunior and Major competitors compete in the following leagues: Entertainment OnStage; CoSpace Simulation; Rescue; Soccer; Industrial; Manufacturing; Virtual Simulation; @Home; and @Work Logistics.

The English Montreal School Board will play a prominent role in this year’s RoboCup International as an important event partner.  Five EMSB teams will be competing, with thousands of students set to visit the site and attend professional development at the Innovation Summit during the week: Pierre Elliott Trudeau Elementary and Vincent Massey Collegate in Rosemount, Dalkeith Elementary in Anjou, Merton Elementary in Côte Saint-Luc and Cedarcrest Elementary in St. Laurent.  There are 12 Canadian teams competing in the International RoboCupJunior leagues and three RoboCup Major league teams. The EMSB’s Science, Technology and Robotics Consultant, Sara Iatauro is also serving as the RoboCup International 2018 General Chair.

“We are very excited to be part of this prestigious event,” stated EMSB Chairman Angela Mancini. “For one week the world’s eyes will be on this competition and I am so thrilled our students will participate and enjoy this unique experience. In the last few years we have made major investments at our Board for our Robotics and S.T.E.A.M. initiatives. This year I requested to add an additional Robotics consultant to meet the growing needs of our schools.”

Visitors can purchase tickets (children under five years can enter for free) for public viewing and to witness robots that are 100 percent programmable working in the home environment, in the workplace, manufacturing industries, fields of medicine, playing soccer on artificial turf, helping in rescue missions, performing on stage, assisting in a manufacturing industry and even in a restaurant.

The public can register for workshops in the Innovation Summit, led by RoboCup International delegates from June 18 to 21. This professional development opportunity offers a unique variety of hands-on training for teachers, students, and passionate makers at all levels. Adults can build robots and code too! Attendees will learn about the world of robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI). Workshops for coding and robotic skill-building, as well as challenges for making and coding will be offered by international industry leaders, teachers, professionals and experts. “There will be something for everyone,” says Ms. Iatauro.  “There are workshops for novices who want to begin learning about automated machines, programming them and possibly understanding how robots learn. Come learn how to build a robot from its first components at the RoboParty or RoboCamp workshops which have been designed and led by RoboCup Delegates from Portugal and Singapore.”

The RoboCup Symposium for adult learners will be held on June 22, featuring a keynote address by top Canadian AI Scientist and pioneer of deep machine learning, Professor Yoshua Bengio. This is a primary venue for presentation and discussion of scientific contributions to a variety of research areas related to multiple areas of robotics. Over 40 posters will be discussed by student researchers from around the world. The learning opportunities in robotics, AI, deep machine learning and programming which you will discover are truly unique in the RoboCup community.

Other events planned include a cultural night, where students from different countries exchange gifts and come in the dress of their culture, the Girls Garden Party sponsored by TRU Training and Simulation to promote girls in science, and the Award Ceremony announcing the competition finalists.

For information about RoboCup International 2018 Montréal, to purchase tickets, join an Innovation Summit workshop or register for the Symposium, visit robocup2018.org or the Palais des congrès, TicketPro box office.