Thames & Kosmos DLX, Experiment Manual, Page: 109 / 132

A SELECTION OF
ROBOCUP LEAGUES
››› Humanoid:
In the Humanoid League — as the name implies —
robots with human-like bodies compete against each other. The
robots have to be fully autonomous, and are equipped with
sensors accordingly. There are three size classes with competitions
in skills such as penalty kicks and playing.
››› Standard Platform League: This league originally used Aibos,
robotic dogs made by Sony. Now the games are played with Naos
by Aldebaran Robotics. These robots are 57.3 centimeters tall and
weigh 5.2 kilograms.
›››
Middle Size:
The robots in this league are autonomous,
featuring cameras and other sensors.
›››
Small Size: Two teams compete against each other with teams of five
robots each. The robots are controlled remotely by a computer.
SOMETHING FOR
EVERYONE:
Off to the World Cup for robots!
Even if shooting at a goal just looks like fun and games, robot soccer involves
artificial intelligence
, or
AI
,
which means the creation of human-like intelligence. A computer has to accomplish tasks and solve problems
all by itself. As a standard problem for artificial intelligence, soccer is actually quite challenging. In addition
to intelligent programming to handle the planning and learning of moves, the robots also have to be able to
handle:
›››
the recognition of teammates, opponents, and objects such as the ball, the corner flag, etc.
›››
motor functions such as locomotion and shooting
›››
quick responses to changes in playing conditions
›››
cooperation with teammates
›››
determination of the robot’s own position and the positions of the other players
›››
knowledge of the paths of the ball and the players.
The researchers and developers are very ambitious: By 2050, they want their robots to win the actual soccer
World Cup! That is what inspired the creation of the RoboCup world championships, which are played in
different locations every year and in various different leagues.
CHECK IT OUT
107
Goooooal!