Articles tagged with "robotics-competition"
A2RL 2026 tests vision-only AI drones at racing speeds
The 2026 Abu Dhabi Autonomous Racing League (A2RL) Drone Championship, held at UMEX in Abu Dhabi, showcased high-speed autonomous drone racing under strict sensor limitations. Fourteen international teams competed using drones equipped solely with a single forward-facing RGB camera, an IMU, and onboard AI, with no LiDAR, stereo vision, or external control allowed. The event featured three race formats: the AI Speed Challenge, the Multi-AI Drone Challenge, and the headline Human vs AI race, with a total prize pool of $600,000. The competition emphasized software-driven autonomy over hardware complexity, aiming to replicate the sensory limitations of human FPV pilots and push advances in perception, planning, and control algorithms. Key results included the Technology Innovation Institute’s TII Racing team achieving the fastest autonomous lap at 12.032 seconds in the AI Speed Challenge, and MAVLAB winning the Multi-Drone Gold Race, demonstrating reliable multi-agent coordination and collision avoidance under race conditions. In the closely
robotautonomous-dronesAI-dronesdrone-racingartificial-intelligencedrone-technologyrobotics-competitionAnduril has invented a wild new drone flying contest where jobs are the prize
Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey, has launched the AI Grand Prix, a novel drone racing competition where drones must fly autonomously, and participants are judged on their software programming skills rather than manual piloting. The event offers substantial incentives, including a $500,000 prize pool and direct job opportunities at Anduril, bypassing the usual recruitment process. Unlike traditional drone races, this contest emphasizes autonomy, aligning with Anduril’s mission to advance unmanned systems without human micromanagement. The drones used in the competition are not Anduril’s own, as their larger drones are unsuitable for the confined racing course in Ohio, where the finals will be held. Instead, the event will utilize drones from another defense tech startup and is organized in partnership with the Drone Champions League and JobsOhio. Luckey expressed enthusiasm for the event’s potential to attract top engineering talent, aiming for at least 50 teams, including university participants. He clarified that while he will attend, he will
robotdroneautonomous-systemsAIdrone-racingsoftware-engineeringrobotics-competitionTaking humanoid soccer to the next level: An interview with RoboCup trustee Alessandra Rossi - Robohub
The article features an interview with Alessandra Rossi, a trustee of RoboCup and Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Naples “Federico II,” who has been deeply involved in the RoboCup humanoid soccer league since 2016. Rossi’s engagement has grown from participating as a team member and leader of the UK’s Bold Hearts humanoid KidSize team to serving on the Technical and Organizing Committees, the Executive Committee of the Humanoid League, and most recently, the RoboCup Board of Trustees. She has also contributed to educational initiatives, such as an online robotics module using RoboCup as a teaching benchmark, and co-authored a significant paper on current and future challenges in humanoid robotics, highlighting collaboration across RoboCup leagues. Looking ahead, RoboCup aims to realize its ambitious 2050 goal: a fully autonomous humanoid robot team defeating the reigning FIFA World Cup champions. To accelerate progress, the Federation plans key changes, including a stronger emphasis on humanoid robots and the
roboticshumanoid-robotsRoboCupAI-researchautonomous-robotsrobotics-competitionhumanoid-soccerRobot Talk at the Smart City Robotics Competition - Robohub
The article discusses a special episode of the "Robot Talk" podcast, recorded at the Smart City Robotics Competition held in Milton Keynes. Hosted by Claire, the episode features conversations with competitors, exhibitors, and attendees, providing insights into the event and the latest advancements in robotics focused on smart city applications. The competition highlights innovative robotic technologies aimed at improving urban living and infrastructure. Sponsored by euRobotics, an international non-profit organization dedicated to advancing European robotics research, development, and innovation, the episode aligns with the broader mission to promote cutting-edge robotics and autonomous systems. "Robot Talk" serves as a weekly platform exploring developments in robotics, artificial intelligence, and autonomous machines, with this bonus episode offering a focused look at the intersection of robotics and smart city initiatives.
roboticssmart-cityAIautonomous-machinesrobotics-competitioneuRoboticsinnovationRobot that reads wind direction competes with archers in Korea event
At the 2025 Hyundai Motor Chung Mong-koo Cup Korea Archery Championship held on October 3 in Gwangju, South Korea, a cutting-edge archery robot developed by Hyundai Motor Group competed against the nation’s elite archers. Equipped with advanced sensors, the robot measured wind direction and speed, adjusting its arrow launch angles with millimeter-level precision. Despite a sudden storm that initially disrupted its performance, the robot recalibrated and delivered a streak of perfect 10-point shots. However, the human archers narrowly outscored the robot, with the men’s and women’s teams combining for a 55 to 54 victory in the recurve category, while also outperforming the robot in the compound bow category. The event recreated international tournament conditions to provide realistic domestic practice and served as a test of South Korea’s readiness for upcoming major competitions like the 2026 Asian Games and 2028 Olympics. Hyundai’s innovations extend beyond the robot, including a multi-camera posture analysis system
roboticssensorsarchery-robotHyundaiBoston-Dynamicsprecision-technologyrobotics-competitionHumanoid robots lack data to keep pace with explosive rise of AI
The recent International Humanoid Olympiad held in Olympia, Greece, showcased humanoid robots competing in sports like boxing and soccer, highlighting their growing capabilities. Despite these advances, humanoid robots remain significantly behind AI software in learning from data, with experts estimating they are roughly "100,000 years" behind due to limited data availability. Organizers and researchers emphasize that while AI tools benefit from vast datasets enabling rapid advancement, humanoid robots struggle to acquire and process comparable real-world data, which hinders their ability to perform complex, dexterous household tasks. Experts predict that humanoid robots may first find practical use in space exploration before becoming common in homes, a transition expected to take over a decade. To address this gap, researchers are exploring reinforcement learning techniques that allow robots to learn from real-time experiences rather than relying solely on pre-programmed actions. Additionally, innovative approaches such as developing biological computer brains using real brain cells on chips aim to enable robots to learn and adapt more like humans. The Olymp
robothumanoid-robotsartificial-intelligencerobotic-learningreinforcement-learningrobotic-brainrobotics-competitionAI Humanoids Play Football in China Robo Games
The World Humanoid Robot Games recently took place in Beijing, featuring over 500 AI-powered robots from 16 countries competing in various events such as running races, football matches, and even dancing performances in terracotta armor. The competition showcased the advancing capabilities of humanoid robots in dynamic physical activities, highlighting their agility, coordination, and AI-driven control. This event not only demonstrated significant progress in robotics technology but also sparked discussions about the potential emergence of a "Robot Olympics," where machines could regularly compete in diverse athletic and artistic disciplines. The games symbolize a milestone in the integration of AI and robotics into sports and entertainment, pointing toward a future where humanoid robots may become prominent participants in global competitions.
robotshumanoid-robotsAI-robotsrobotics-competitionrobot-gamesartificial-intelligencerobot-sportsInaugural World Humanoid Robot Games step into the spotlight - The Robot Report
The inaugural World Humanoid Robot Games 2025 took place at Beijing’s National Speed Skating Oval, featuring 280 teams from 16 countries competing in 487 contests across 26 events. The competition included races, mixed martial arts, soccer, and a warehouse material sorting challenge that tested robots’ embodied AI, perception, and problem-solving skills. While many robots were teleoperated rather than fully autonomous, the event showcased both commercial and experimental humanoid robots, with Unitree Robotics’ H1 humanoid winning multiple foot races and setting a new world record in the 1,500 m event. Notably, an autonomous robot was awarded first place in the 100 m sprint after applying a time-coefficient advantage for autonomy. A key outcome of the event was the creation of the World Humanoid Robot Sports Federation, which will govern future humanoid robot competitions. The games highlighted the current state of humanoid robotics, balancing teleoperation and autonomy, and emphasized real-world applications such as logistics and
robothumanoid-robotsrobotics-competitionautonomous-robotsteleoperated-robotsAI-in-roboticsrobot-sports-federationInside the World’s First Robot Olympics
The article highlights China’s inaugural Robot Olympics, featuring over 500 humanoid robots competing across a diverse range of events, including martial arts, soccer, fashion, and medical sorting. This groundbreaking competition showcases the advanced capabilities of robots in performing complex and varied tasks, signaling a significant leap forward in robotics technology and its applications. Key participants mentioned include Unitree and Xinghaitu, alongside other lesser-known contenders, all demonstrating unique skills and innovations. The event not only serves as a platform for technological display but also hints at the evolving role of robots in sports and practical fields, emphasizing the potential for robots to augment or transform traditional human activities.
robothumanoid-robotsRobot-Olympicsrobotics-competitionsports-robotsartificial-intelligencerobot-technology30 humanoid robot teams to play soccer tournament in Beijing
China is preparing to host the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing from August 15 to 17, featuring athletic competitions among humanoid robots, with soccer as a highlight event. The tournament will include 30 teams from around the world, including China, the United States, Brazil, Germany, and Portugal, competing in fully autonomous five-a-side soccer matches. The robots are equipped with visual sensors to locate the ball and navigate the field, and they can recover from falls to continue playing. This event follows the RoboLeague held in June, which served as a precursor and showcased humanoid robots playing soccer for the first time. Teams are using advanced programming techniques such as imitation learning, where robots observe human movements and undergo extensive simulation training to master skills like dribbling, kicking, and shooting. Participants, including engineers from Tsinghua University, expressed excitement about competing on a global stage and demonstrating new algorithms. While some may view the competition as a novelty, experts see it as a valuable platform for
robothumanoid-robotsrobotics-competitionAI-roboticsautonomous-robotsrobot-soccerrobot-learning-algorithms#RoboCup2025: social media round-up 1 - Robohub
RoboCup2025 was held in Salvador, Brazil, attracting approximately 3,000 participants competing across multiple leagues. The event showcased a wide range of robotics competitions, highlighting advancements in AI and robotics technologies. During the initial days, teams engaged in various challenges, demonstrating innovative solutions and pushing the boundaries of autonomous systems. The coverage by Robohub and AIhub emphasized the event's role in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within the AI community. As a non-profit organization, AIhub aims to bridge the gap between AI experts and the public by delivering accessible, high-quality information. The RoboCup2025 event continues to be a significant platform for showcasing cutting-edge research and developments in robotics and artificial intelligence.
robotRoboCuprobotics-competitionAIautonomous-robotsrobot-leaguesSalvador-BrazilLivestream of RoboCup2025 - Robohub
RoboCup2025 is currently underway in Salvador, Brazil, featuring a diverse range of robotic competitions across multiple leagues, including soccer, rescue, industrial, and home scenarios. After the completion of the first day, teams are actively competing in various tasks and matches, showcasing advancements in robotics and AI. A recorded livestream of day one is available, providing coverage of the competing teams, interviews with participants and organizers, and insights into the event and its different leagues. The event continues with livestreams scheduled for days two and three, which will cover the knockout stages of the competitions, as well as a separate livestream for the award ceremony. These can be accessed via the RoboCup Twitch channel. Additionally, a series of interviews with key RoboCup organizers and committee members offers deeper perspectives on the event’s preparation and specific leagues, such as RoboCupJunior, RoboCupRescue, RoboCupSoccer Small Size League, and the 3D Simulation League. The coverage is supported by AIhub, a non
robotrobotics-competitionRoboCup2025AI-roboticsrescue-robotsindustrial-robotshome-robotsRoboCupRescue: an interview with Adam Jacoff - Robohub
The RoboCupRescue League, now in its 25th year, is a key component of the international RoboCup competition focused on advancing autonomous robotic technologies for emergency responders. Co-founded by Adam Jacoff, the league develops and validates robots designed to perform hazardous search and rescue tasks, such as navigating compromised or collapsed structures, thereby enabling safer operations from a distance. Unique among RoboCup leagues, RoboCupRescue emphasizes realistic, chaotic arenas and uses twenty standardized test methods—developed in collaboration with emergency responders—to simulate complex, real-world challenges. These tests progressively increase in difficulty from flat terrains in preliminaries to slippery, obstacle-laden environments in the finals, pushing both autonomous and remotely operated robots to adapt and perform effectively. The league serves three main purposes: guiding research with practical, reproducible challenges that reflect actual emergency scenarios; providing an intense educational experience that helps recruit and advance engineers and computer scientists into robotics careers; and bridging the gap between research and commercial deployment of robotic technologies. By focusing
robotautonomous-robotsRoboCupRescuesearch-and-rescue-robotsemergency-response-technologyrobotics-competitionAI-in-roboticsTackling the 3D Simulation League: an interview with Klaus Dorer and Stefan Glaser - Robohub
The RoboCup Soccer 3D Simulation League is a competition where teams control simulated Nao robots in an 11 versus 11 soccer match, with detailed motor-level control mimicking real robots. Unlike the 2D Simulation League, which focuses on simplified physics and team strategy, the 3D League aims for a more realistic robotic simulation. Currently, the league uses SimSpark, a simulator developed in the early 2000s that balances physical realism with the computational limitations of its time. However, SimSpark has limitations such as complexity, custom robot models, and communication protocols that hinder wider adoption and make it difficult to translate simulations to real robots. To address these issues, Stefan Glaser has been developing a new simulator based on the MuJoCo physics engine, which has recently become popular in machine learning communities due to its open-source availability and standardized model specifications. MuJoCo supports dynamic manipulation of the simulation environment, a key feature needed for RoboCup’s setup where agents join and form teams
roboticsrobot-simulationRoboCup3D-simulationNao-robotsrobot-controlrobotics-competitionAutonomous humanoid robot teams compete in China's soccer tournament
In Beijing, the final leg of the Robo League robot football (soccer) tournament featured four teams of fully autonomous humanoid robots competing without any human intervention. The championship was won by THU Robotics from Tsinghua University, who defeated the Mountain Sea team from China Agricultural University 5:3. Each team had three humanoid robots playing in two 10-minute halves, relying on AI, sensors, and optical cameras to detect the ball and navigate the field with over 90% accuracy. Despite some limitations such as dynamic obstacle avoidance, the robots demonstrated the ability to walk, run, kick, and make split-second decisions autonomously, marking the first fully autonomous AI robot football match held in China. This tournament serves as a precursor to the upcoming 2025 World Humanoid Robot Sports Games, scheduled for August 15 to 17 in Beijing, which will showcase 11 humanoid sport events modeled on traditional human competitions, including track and field, gymnastics, soccer, and synchronized dancing.
robothumanoid-robotsautonomous-robotsAI-roboticsrobot-soccerrobotics-competitionartificial-intelligenceGearing up for RoboCupJunior: Interview with Ana Patrícia Magalhães - Robohub
The article features an interview with Ana Patrícia Magalhães, the lead organizer of RoboCupJunior at RoboCup 2024, which will be held in Salvador, Brazil, from July 15-21. RoboCupJunior is a segment of the larger RoboCup event aimed at introducing robotics competitions to school children and teenagers. This year, the event expects participation from over 40 countries, with approximately 48 teams in Soccer, 86 in Rescue, and 27 in OnStage leagues, totaling around 600 participants including students, parents, and educators. Special arrangements have been made to support the young participants, such as dedicated shuttle services, a handbook with safety and local information, a separate competition space, and a welcome party to immerse them in Brazilian culture. Magalhães highlights the increased participation of Brazilian teams due to the event's local venue, which reduces travel costs and makes it more accessible for them to compete. She emphasizes the value of RoboCupJunior as a platform for
roboticsRoboCupJuniorrobotics-competitioneducational-roboticsyouth-roboticsRoboCup-2024robotics-challengesPreparing for kick-off at RoboCup2025: an interview with General Chair Marco Simões - Robohub
RoboCup 2025 is set to take place in Salvador, Brazil, from July 15-21, marking a significant event for the international robotics and AI community. The event, hosted at the Salvador Convention Center, is expected to attract around 150,000 visitors, surpassing the 100,000 attendees from the last time Brazil hosted in 2014. Organizers anticipate participation from 300-400 teams and approximately 3,000 competitors. Efforts have been made to facilitate visa processes to increase international attendance, especially from teams previously hindered by travel restrictions. New global league partners, including Chinese companies Unitree, Fourier, and Booster Robotics, will showcase advanced humanoid and four-legged robots, enhancing the competition and public exhibitions. Over the past decade, Brazil has seen substantial growth in its RoboCup community, rising to become one of the top countries in terms of team participation. This growth is largely attributed to the development of RoboCupJunior, a program aimed at engaging younger
robotroboticsRoboCupAIautomationhumanoid-robotsrobotics-competitionNortheastern soft robotic arm wins MassRobotics Form & Function Challenge at Robotics Summit
robotsoft-roboticsrobotic-armrobotics-competitionMassRoboticsinnovationtechnology