RoboCupSoccer 2011

July 11, 2011 1:16 AM

Team RoMeLa (Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory) of Virginia Tech has won first place in the KidSize and AdultSize divisions of the humanoid league of the RoboCup 2011 robotic soccer competition. RoMeLa’s team of DARwIn (Dynamic Anthropomorphic Robot with Intelligence) humanoids defeated last year’s champs, the Darmstadt Dribblers, in the semi-finals on the way to victory in the finals of the KidSize division. Meanwhile, RoMeLa’s CHARLI took first place in the riveting Dribble & Kick AdultSize Final (slyt).

Soccer is only one of four competitions held at RoboCup:

• RoboCupSoccer - 'RoboCup chose to use soccer as a central topic of research, aiming at innovations to be applied for socially significant problems and industries. The ultimate goal of the RoboCup project is By 2050, develop a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots that can win against the human world champion team in soccer.'
• RoboCupRescue - 'One major application of RoboCup technologies is search and rescue in large scale disaster situations. RoboCup initiated RoboCupRescue project to specifically promote research in socially significant issues. RoboCupRescue includes real robot and simulation leagues.'
• RoboCup@Home - 'RoboCup@Home is a new league inside the RoboCup competitions that focuses on real-world applications and human-machine interaction with autonomous robots. The aim is to foster the development of useful robotic applications that can assist humans in everyday life.'
• RoboCupJunior - 'RoboCupJunior is a project-oriented educational initiative for students up to the age of 19. It is a new and exciting way to understand science and technology through hands-on experiences with electronics, hardware and software. RoboCupJunior also offers oportunities to learn about teamwork while sharing ideas with friends. The development of study materials and innovative teaching methods are among RoboCupJunior's aims.'

Bonus Bots:

• RoboCup 2011: Videos
• RoboCup 2011: Photos
• RoboCup 2011: Small Size League Final (slyt)
• RoboCup 2011: MidSize League Steal and Score (slyt)
• RoboCup 2010: The Darmstadt Dribblers eliminate Team DARwin in the semi-finals 1 to 9 (slyt)
• Other robotic creatures from Virginia Tech's Robotics & Mechanisms Laboratory

posted by troll (4 comments total)

Go Hokies!

That's incredibly cool, but what we really need are robot FIFA referees.
posted by Benny Andajetz at 5:09 AM on July 11, 2011

Impressive robot, very unimpressive soccer. How come they never build these things to rotate their legs? It always seems to take these bipedal robots 10 steps to rotate 90°
posted by delmoi at 5:14 AM on July 11, 2011

Yeah, and where are the ion cannons, rail guns, and boot thrusters? WTF Hokies? Way to get lazy about it.
posted by dersins at 8:24 AM on July 11, 2011

This is not child-size Robocops playing soccer. I am let down.
posted by FatherDagon at 11:49 AM on July 11, 2011