Scientists design soccer playing human-like robot

Although chess computers have beaten humans, "humans are still clearly better at soccer than robots", said Sven Behnke, professor of computer science, who led the Autonomous Intelligent Systems working group at the University of Bonn.

Behnke's working group has created the most successful team worldwide at the RoboCup, a soccer tournament for robots, with wins in 11 individual competitions, the journal Psychology and Sociology reported.

RoboCup is being used to experiment with complex challenges for bipedal robots that can potentially be used in many practically relevant environments beyond soccer, according to a Bonn statement.

Soccer-robos have to perceive environmental conditions via cameras and inclination sensors, detect the goal posts, opponents and obstacles, and make and implement decisions involving their team members.

"There is still much to do to solve all the problems out on the pitch," said Behnke.

"For example, they are capable of using tools, climbing stairs, and passing bottlenecks that are too narrow for wheeled or tracked robots."

Besides, they can also use human facial expressions, gestures and body language for communicating.

Bonn scientists recently introduced it at the International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) Conference in Portugal. At 95 cms, it is the size of a small child, weighing a mere 6.6 kg, thanks to its lightweight materials.

It has a total of 20 drive elements that convert computer commands into mechanical motions. This is also why "NimbRo-OP" is very agile it has no problems kicking a soccer ball, and it can also get up from a prone position like a human, for soccer players also sometimes fall down.

"We have made very effort to keep the design simple to allow other working groups to also use this robot as a basis for their work, modify and repair it," Behnke added.