To all the Robocuppers out there

Please join yo! http://www.facebook.com/groups/431901523507213/. We are trying to get all Robocup Junior Soccer participants in the world in 1 group.

Robocup Nationals 2012

Hi guys,

It has been a while since I have last updated this blog. Also a while since Robocup Nationals. But definitely, it wasn't because we didn't do well. In fact, we did superbly. Here's our track record:

Event name (total number of categories): Achievements
Nationals 2009 (2): Cat A 2nd, Cat B 2nd
Internationals 2010 (2): Cat A Indiv top 12, Cat A Superteam top 12, Cat B Indiv top 20
Nationals 2011 (3): Cat A Light 1st, Cat B unknown
Internationals (3): Cat A Light Indiv 2nd, Cat A light Superteam 2nd
Nationals 2012 (3): Cat A Light 1st, Cat A Open 1st, Cat B Open 1st, Overall 1st


Here are some videos of the journey!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pUmmUuYJVU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQmBPysY6o0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiNggX3zEDk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lxbGaqM41Tc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EM-qLEOzmjk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olcAPq1F4Cs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MRH0H5mgo0k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbXf94OLs_c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlDkxxfZBW8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMONsAHniW8
Channel URL: http://www.youtube.com/user/Kenchow96?feature=mhee
(hope I didn't miss out any)


That's right, 3 teams, 3 golds, overall champions. This is the absolute quantifiable pinnacle of excellence. Our route to Mexico seemed almost too easy. Resistance was almost negligible in the group stages as we cruised to victory after victory, racking up hundreds of goals in the process while hardly conceding. What we did not expect were the other factors that eventually stopped us from proceeding to represent Singapore in the World Cup of Robotics. In spite of long negotiations with the school, they cited several concerns:

1) Price. Mexico is hardly a cheap destination. Getting there alone will cost over 3k. Eventually, we did come to a consensus that this was OK with us. But the next factor cropped up.
2) Danger: Living in a place as safe as Singapore, Mexico struck fear into the school. Drug rings, gangs, rampant kidnapping. Never mind that it rarely happens in the city itself. The school simply would not move.

Of course, there could be, and probably were other undisclosed reasons but that is not for me to speculate in such a public space.

On another note, organizers of robotics events could do with slightly more mainstream locations. After all, this was not the first time that a trip was called off.

World Robotics Olympiad (Manila): Called of due to high terrorist threats
FIRST Lego League (US): Called off due to natural disaster

However, we are not going to let these freak events set us back. In fact, we have recently displayed our robots running a totally radical and redesigned program. Although they were completely un-tuned at the time of display (I finished the program past 2 the previous day), it was already outperforming the program utilised during the national rounds. Hence, look out for much improved results next year. By nationals next year, expect radical hardware changes. Although nothing is confirmed, I am planning on changing the ball sensors, adding a kicker, dribbler and LDR-based capture zone sensing, as well as dual processor processing. With these much changed in terms of hardware, do expect some new algorithms to fuel the robot's hardware.

Having taken a long break (by my standards) in robotics, NJRC preparations is still in its infancy but do expect me to be out in full force after my final exams. Till then, there are always other blogs to read! :)

Thanks for reading!
Kenneth

Tilt-Shift Effect Photoshop

Hey guys! 

Recently, I have been experimenting with image editing through Photoshop and have found a way to replicate the tilt shift effect produced by extremely costly DSLR lenses. Here is a sample image taken by myself:

 Original Image

Edited Image

By having a lens blur gradient, we can focus on the target object, blurring out those in the background. This is the basis of a tilt shift lens. To intensify the effect, the contrast of the picture can be edited to give it a more miniature look. This is my first few experiments so it has not been perfected!

Image Editing in Photoshop

Hi guys,

I'm finally back! This post will be dedicated to showing that photos with low megapixel counts can still look great through the wonders of Photoshop!

Original photo: This photo was rather boring due to the lack of sharp contrasts and rather simple composition. Hence, to remedy this, we could either give it an artistic touch or use more intense colors.

 Artistic photo: This simplifies the colors even more while creating an artistic effect. Note that although a lot of detailing of the background was removed, crucial details such as the branding and "L" indicator are there.

 Intense colors: By intensifying the background, the composition of the picture becomes more balanced due to the emphasis on texture. However, we lose some detailing on the subject to improve composition.

Original Photo: The colors in this photo are extremely muted due to the camera's compensation for background lighting. This causes the image to be dull an unappealing.

 Intense Colors: By intensifying the overall colors of the photos, we achieve the effect of filling up space. The detailing on the coins also become apparent through the increased contrast, making it more visually pleasing.

 Original Photo: This photo is rather neutral on the coloring and it composition is rather decent with most of the space filled. However, the viewer will lack a point to pay attention to. Hence, added blurring is needed.

Edited Photo: Firstly, I removed the shadow on the top of the picture which draws attention away from the subject. Next, I blurred out the surroundings of the brand label to increase the focus there. Finally, the colors were modified slightly for a more intense effect.

[Photos] Nikon S1000PJ

Hi guys! I'm back to Singapore and my blog! Just thought I would share some pictures taken with my compact digital camera!

 Taken at Changi Airport! Good lighting + Close proximity = Easy shot

 Taken from the 21st Floor of a hotel in China! Zoomed 25x but it is still relatively clear!

 Taken from the ground floor kilometers away! Yet another shot on 25x zoom!

 This shot was difficult due to wind conditions. However, the shake compensation did its job and allowed this photo to be taken at 25x zoom!

 Although the camera does not do particularly well when it comes to night shots, I managed to get a decent picture with a 1 second exposure time. In fact, the environment was much darker than what is displayed in this picture.

 The first macro shot of this post! The reflections off the glass was well captured and details can be seen throughout.

 After realizing that macros were the strong point of this camera, I decided to take a few more with decent results.

 Taken atop a mountain, the water was clearly captured, even at a distance.

 As usual, the zoom did not disappoint. Images were sharp even at the maximum zoom distance.

 An interesting piece of architecture to say the least. This building is tilted sideways.

 Textures were crisp even under low lighting.

 Taken out of the hotel room, this structure is kilometer away. Yet the picture maintains its crispness.

 A nice shot of the camera's casing with textures pronounced.

 The reflective surface of the bean curd glistens in this photo, begging to be eaten.

 Scenery and architecture too turned out well as shot of varying brightness and zoom were beautiful.

 Most of the times, colors were faithfully reproduced although the compensation could not do enough to correct the yellow lighting.

Night photography was good as long as the subject was close. However, the second last picture, which was taken at 25x zoom seemed to lose some of its sharpness.

That said, this compact is good enough for me!

[Robocup] Finalised Team

Hi Guys,

This is the long awaited finalized team list. Apart from competency in engineering and programming, we also considered other factors such as enthusiasm as well as learning attitude. This list is final.

Raffles Lite: Kenneth Chow, Yap Shi Jed, Jeremy Chan, Jarret Ng
Raffles A: Kenneth Chow, Tan Wei Ren, Vishnu R Menon, Shen Chen
Raffles B: Kenneth Chow, Huang Zefan, Shen Chen, Lee Chan Wai

Please note that training dates are as follows:
16th December, 10am to 6pm
23rd December, 10am to 6pm
30th December, 10am to 6pm

As I will be away till the middle of next week, please drop any queries at kc.riicc@gmail.com and forward them to shenc.96@gmail.com.

Thanks,
Kenneth

[Robocup] Selection 1

Role                 Raffles Lite                 Raffles A                 Raffles B
Multi Purpose Kenneth Chow                 Kenneth Chow         Kenneth Chow
Engineer          Jeremy Chan / Jarret Ng Tan Wei Ren         Huang Zefan
Programmer Yap Shi Jed                 Vishnu R Menon Shen Chen
General 1         Jeremy Chan / Jarret Ng Shen Chen         Lee Chan Wai
General 2         Slot 1                         Slot 2                 Slot 3

Hi guys,

This is the tentative team arrangements as of this weekend. Of course, things might change once I get to see your improved programs on Monday. In case you have not already heard, there will be a meeting on Monday for all confirmed members as well as those who want a second shot for the three slots left. For those who need the software to improve on their programs at home before coming to school on Monday to test, please inform me via kc.riicc@gmail.com. For those who are on the team, please try to bring along a Math set as you guys are going to be practising some drawing on Monday. Also, if you prefer to have the CD to install the software, please bring your laptops along. For those on the team, it is recommended that you do so as you cannot live with the school laptop for the entire duration of the holidays, much less the competition.

Thanks,
Kenneth