Multiple nationalities can gain UAE visit visas on arrival, however citizens of some countries do need to apply for visas prior to entering the UAE. Websites such as http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/visas.asp can provide some information, but it is advisable to check with you closest UAE Embassy or Consulate. A list of locations of UAE Embassies and Consulates can be found at http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/consulates.asp .

Visa applications can be made in a number of ways. Some of these are outlined on the UAE Interact website http://www.uaeinteract.com/travel/visas.asp . To assist National Organizers with visa applications, Abu Dhabi Education Council is prepared to sponsor and facilitate the visa application process within the UAE. In order to avail themselves of this offer, National Organizers must make sure all required documents are uploaded during the WRO Registration process as soon as possible. Documents that are incorrect of not complete will delay the process. An application fee of US$30* per application will be invoiced to the participating country accessing the service. National Organizers will be advised as soon as possible of successful applications and original visas will be issued to individuals on arrival to the UAE, at the port of entry. Copies of visas may be provided to National Organizers, if requested, prior to departure.*Applicants will be advised if fees vary to that stated.

To apply for a visa the following documents are required:1. Visa Application Form with relevant details completed;2. Clear colour copy of applicant\'s passport. (Please make sure that this is the passport the applicant will be travelling with and that it is valid for at least 6 months at the time of travel). Preferably scanned as a PDF or JPEG; and3. Recent electronic copy of a passport photo taken on a white background (preferably JPEG format)These documents will be requested during the online registration process for the 2011 WRO.National Organizers who have individual participants that require visas are requested to submit all documents as soon as possible to avoid any issues with the visa process affecting an individual participation.

If visa applications are required, individuals should submit applications as soon as possible. National Organizers availing themselves of ADEC's offer to facilitate and sponsor visa applications should upload all documents into the WRO Registration System as soon as possible, before the 01 October close of registration.

Participation in the WRO is restricted to WRO member countries or clusters of countries only. Non-member countries may be allowed to participate in the competition as non-competitive guests. Please see the “About WRO” section of the website regarding WRO membership and the “Contact Us” section regarding membership enquiries.

Individual teams cannot register to participate in the Olympiad. All registrations are coordinated through the WRO National Organizer of each member country. Teams must qualify to participate in the 2011 WRO. For details about how your team can qualify, please contact your National Organizer

If your country is not a WRO member and is not a member of a registered WRO cluster of countries, but you would like to participate in the WRO competition, you will need to read the information concerning WRO membership and guest countries included on this website. You can discuss details with the WRO General Secretary (Please see the “Contact Us” section. If you would like to become a National Organizer, you can complete a membership application (see the “About WRO” section) and forward it to the WRO General Secretary for consideration. Please make sure you provide all of the requested details

At the 2011 WRO finals in Abu Dhabi, teams participating in the regular category will get at least three chances to compete with their robot. We want to give students travelling to Abu Dhabi maximum opportunities to participate. The top sixteen (16) teams in each age group will get more opportunities to compete until we end up with one (1) winning robot in each age group. We consider this as a good way to test each team’s robot in terms of its reliability and consistency.

At the 2011 WRO, teams participating in the Open Category must be ready to present to the judges, VIPs, guests and members of the general public from 10:45am, 19 November 2011. They booth needs to remain ‘open’ during the opening times of the 2011 WRO until 12:30pm, 20 November 2011. After this time, teams can begin to dismantle their display.

Coaches can work with a dedicated and responsible adult. This person could be an assistant to the coach. Coaches and assistant coaches should be at least 20 years of age, at the time of the competition.

A team must consist of two or three students.

The 2011 WRO theme asks participants to develop and present a robotic solution that would assist in improving the lives of humans in some way. Participants should think of an issue or situation that affects the quality of life of some and develop a robot that might overcome or aid humans to deal with it. There are many examples of how robots are currently being used to improve our lives across a wide range of fields and industries.

As per the rules of the open competition, teams will be provided with a booth 2m x 2m x 2m and the option of having a table with the dimensions of 120cm x 60cm(or as close as possible) Teams will not be allowed to exceed their allocated space. Warnings will be given to teams that are considered to have breached the rules associated with this. Teams must adhere to these rules otherwise they could face possible disqualification or heavy penalties.

As per the General Rules of the Open Competition there is no restriction between the balance of LEGO and non-LEGO elements in the robot’s design; however all robots must be operated by RCX or NXT controller. Any software can be used to program the robot. Robots may be preassembled and software programs may be pre-made!

No, any method can be used to secure the partitions in place; however the individual parts making up the partitions must be able to be moved into different positions as required by the mission.

No, a robot can commence it descent at any position, after successfully reaching the first step.

No, the robot does not have to follow the black guide lines on the table. It can ascend and descend the stairs following any track.

Coping with the variation in the size and weight of eggs is a part of the competition. Unshelled boiled eggs that weigh approximately 60grams will be used. Teams must design and construct an egg carrying receptacle that can cope with slight variations.

No restrictions are given as to what elements or materials can be used in building the receptacle, apart from how the egg should rest in it and how the receptacle should be carried by the robot. The egg must not be fully encased by the receptacle or the robot. Please see the specific rules regarding this. If the receptacle is to be attached to the robot, the method used to attach the receptacle should not provide the robot with advantage in terms of its operation and performance. In other words, the egg receptacle itself is only for the purpose of carrying the egg.

The WRO Advisory Council has approved the use of NXT Colour Sensor, Element 9694. Please see the General Rules regarding this.

Teams will be responsible for nominating how their robot will sort the objects at the start of the match. Teams must identify how the objects will be sorted and which “bins” will be used by the robot to accommodate objects with nominated characteristics.

No, if teams have identified some grouping/sorting combination using characteristics other than those written on the cards provided, they can use that combination, provided that the methodology used does not place one object in each of eight bins. Multiples items sharing characteristics must be included in the sorting combination e.g. if sorted correctly, at least one bin must contain two items exhibiting a common characteristic.

No, but consideration must be given to objects’ weight.

During the development of the secondary school mission, Robot Recycler, the three colours that were used for the objects were BRIGHT RED, BRIGHT BLUE and DARK GREEN. To assist in providing consistency, the cuboids were constructed using LEGO system bricks. For the purpose of achieving the mission, obtaining the exact shade of colour used by our team, is not important. Some variation may exist and it is expected that teams will need to calibrate sensors on the day of the competition. It is important, however, that where multiple mission tables are used, there is consistency in the colours across the tables.

The sorting objects will be placed on the table in a random order, and this order may change during the competition.

If tied scores are not desired, various methods can be used to determine rankings at competitions. It is important that during any competition the method used is fair and consistent. One method that can be used, is to rank teams with tied scores (above 0) according to the time taken to place the first object correctly. The team taking less time will rank better than the team taking a longer time. If this method is to be used, it is important to record the time when the first object is placed correctly.

No! Teams must nominate criteria that require unequivocally each object to be placed a particular bin. Criteria cannot provide teams with more than one option to place an object or be open to interpretation.

Teams must nominate a minimum of two sorting criteria. At the 2011 WRO international Final, teams nominating the minimum number of criteria for sorting objects, but only placing objects in one bin will have their score calculated using a refinement of one. National Organizers may opt to use a different methodolody at National Finals.

No, teams are grouped together. Individual team members however, must meet the age requirements as specified in the rules.

All robots must be programmed using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT Software, or RoboLab in the case of RCX controllers.

Participation in this exhibition is open to all post secondary college and university students (or students in similar post-secondary institutions

No, there are no restrictions regarding which elements are to be used in the construction of the robots or the programming software/language to be used.

Yes, space is limited. Places will need to be secured early. Expression of interest in participating should be sent to the WRO National Organizer in your country, who will forward them to the 2011 WRO Organizers.

Registration should be coordinated through the WRO National Organizer of the WRO member country.

Teams outside of WRO member countries are still able to participate in the special exhibition. Teams need to contact the 2011 WRO organisers directly. See “Contact Us”

Teams are responsible for funding the development of their robot and display as well as their own travel costs to the 2011 WRO in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Team members will be provided with transfers, accommodation and meals.

Only National Organizers of WRO member countries can register teams to participate in the 2011 WRO. Please contact the WRO National Organizer in your country. If you do not have a National Organizer, please see the “About WRO” section regarding membership as well as the “Contact Us” section of website.

We would like to encourage teams to fly into Abu Dhabi to minimise the time taken for road travel, however airport meet and assist services and pick-up will be arranged for those teams entering the UAE through Dubai International Airport.

No, girls and ladies are not required to cover their hair while visiting the UAE, except for visiting places such as the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where suitable attire is available for visitors.

During November, you should bring light summer clothing. Clothing should not be too revealing. Please refer to the information included in the “Destination Abu Dhabi, UAE” section of the website.

Registered participants will be provided with up to four nights’ accommodation and meals. The cost of additional nights’ accommodation and meals will be responsibility of the individual participant or accompanying adult.

National Organizers when registering participants will be requested to provide information regarding the allocation of rooms. Rooms will be provided on a twin share or triple share basis. All efforts will be made to meet the accommodation requirements of teams, however the organizers reserve the right to allocate rooms to maximise the best use of available accommodation.