Public Area#
The public area is open to visitors and should be designed to ensure that participants have easy access to the performance area on stage. It should also provide a clear view for the audience to watch the teams’ performances.
The figure below illustrates an exemplary floor plan of the public space, including the stage, seating area, and AV-Desk (FOH – Front of House), where all AV control systems are located. It also displays the recommended AV signal routing between components.
Exemplary layout of the public area with AV signal routing#
The following setup is recommended for hosting a successful OnStage competition. Components required by the rules are written in bold.
Audio / PA-System#
The following audio devices are controlled by a mixer located at the FOH:
Speakers for the audience
Optional: Monitor speakers for participants on stage
Two wireless microphones on stage for team use
Optional: An additional wireless microphone for the stage host / MC
Computer to play media provided by participants
3.5 mm audio jack with ~6 m cable on stage, allowing teams to connect their robots to the audio system
Video System#
The following video devices are controlled by an HDMI mixer at the FOH:
LED wall or projector with screen, positioned at least 1.5 m above the stage floor
Computer to play media provided by participants (can be the same as for audio)
HDMI plug with ~6 m cable on stage, allowing teams to connect their robots to the video system
Additionally, a wireless presenter for controlling slides is helpful for the teams.
Timer System#
During performances, two timers must be displayed on a separate screen:
A countdown timer showing the maximum time a team is allowed on stage, including setup and clearing (7 minutes)
A stopwatch timer measuring the team’s actual performance time, excluding setup
Equipment required:
TV screen (~48 inches) placed near the stage
Dedicated computer at the FOH
Recommended software for displaying the timers:
Countdown Timer: Webuhr Online Timer in fullscreen mode
Stopwatch: Windows stopwatch in pinned mode to ensure it remains visible above the countdown
Exemplary timer screen layout#
Alternative to TV screen: Two sports timers that can be remotely controlled from the judges’ table
