Slashdot Mirror

Last time I saw a post about this on Slashdot Vision was boasting they would be able to win the World Cup in 2050... I felt the need to call bullshit on that boast, but for the wrong reason.

The reason I called bullshit originally is because I remember seeing an amazing achievement in robot dexterity in 1998. The Honda prototype, Asimo, slowly, precisely and precariously walk up a few steps without toppling. After seeing that robot hobble up some stairs, my response to a humanoid robot with soccer player dexterity within 45 years was a predictable... Bullshit.

If you were thinking the same thing... Take a look at these pics and vids. They are impressive. They just might have soccer player dexterity by 2050. Without having to worry about getting tired or even slowing down they could pose a major threat (in soccer, put your tinfoil hat back on).

However, I'm still going to call bullshit. Mainly because soccer, unlike chess, deals with full freedom of motion in a 3D field. Computers only recently were able to master chess on a world competition level with intense processing. Chess is played on an 8x8 field, with significant, but limited, branching. The 3D nature of soccer (or even the 2D nature of novice soccer) presents branching that could be arguably higher than that of Go. Combine that with the fact that soccer players aren't going to wait a turn for the computer to "think". This is my new reason for calling bullshit on a Robot 2050 World Cup Champion.

But, damn if those robot control systems aren't impressive. I wouldn't mind eating these words. Robots are cool.

--David

Two teams from my school down here in Australia are competing in the Junior soccer competition.

The two teams in question are from Kardinia International College in Australia. Mr Ernie Follet is a stupid humorous house leader who is always wrong (NOT!) and Mr Dale Clohesy is a sport teacher at my school. (don't be suprised if anyone hears excess swearing or blowing of whistles, it's common).

I can't let out any design secrets, not that I know any :) Well, I did chip in a $4 AUD donation in a raffle they were holding to raise air fares and the bastards stole all the soldering irons from my last electronics class to do last minute touch ups :( .Oh, they aren't using the gray color coding on the field to help navigate, so it's up to their radio control skills.

All the testing was done on a big green table set up to look like a soccer field
(AFAIK, I can't guarantee the accuracy of this information).

It will be interesting to see how well they perform, after all, I myself might be on the school/Australian team in a few years :)

Photo
Website with more photos.

ruls

Robocup is the real world cup of robot soccer, about 5 years in the running. The 2004 American Open is happening in late April, and it will supposedly be open to the public. And for the really hardcore fans, there's Robocup 2004 in Portugal. See ya there ;) Failing that, you should at least watch a match (4-legged league).