A team from the University of Hertfordshire has made its way to Salvador, Brazil, for RoboCup 2025. This global event brings together autonomous robots competing in a football tournament. The ultimate goal? Create humanoid robots that can defeat world-class human teams, like the FIFA World Cup champions, by 2050.
Professor Daniel Polani, part of the Hertfordshire team, noted that current AI robots still have a long way to go. “They aren’t anywhere near the skill level of players like Messi or Ronaldo,” he said. For now, he expressed joy just at the robots being able to walk without falling.
RoboCup, which began in 1997, now features 250 teams from 37 countries. For researchers, it’s a crucial testing ground for advancements in AI and robotics. “The tournament allows robots to act independently, without remote control,” explained Polani. The only remote input is a whistle to start and stop the games.
These robots aren’t just mimicking human movements; they’re also communicating with each other using colored breastplates. Polani highlighted the challenge: “Kicking the ball without falling while coordinating with other robots is really tough.”
Interestingly, the University of Hertfordshire first participated in RoboCup in 2002, believing it to be the future of robotics. This year, they feel confident, even against strong competitors from France and Japan.
This year’s RoboCup is from July 17-21 and is expected to attract an impressive 150,000 fans. It’s not just a football competition; there are also events where robots tackle rescue missions and carry out household chores. For those unable to attend in person, the tournament is livestreaming on platforms like Twitch and YouTube, providing a closer look at the robotics innovations being showcased.
The fascinating intersection of sports and technology reveals just how far we’ve come—and how far we still have to go. For more insights on the world of robotics and AI, check out RoboCup.
