Bristol's position as a leader in robotic innovation will be enhanced next year when it hosts the six-day FIRA RoboWorld Cup – the first time the event has been held in the UK.
The cup involves robots playing football and basketball, climbing or running a marathon – but it has a serious side.
The technology developed for the event requires expertise in mechanical, electronic and software engineering, integrating advanced AI (artificial intelligence), automated control and image processing technology. These are the core technologies in robotics, and key to the future development of this field.
The event takes place next summer between the Olympics and the Paralympics, hosted by Bristol Robotics Laboratory (BRL).
This a collaboration between the University of Bristol and the University of the West of England and the aim is to inspire interest in robotics with teams designing and building robots to compete against each other in a variety of challenges.
Student teams with expertise in robotics and engineering from universities around the world are now being invited to take up the challenge and enter the competition.
Professor Alan Winfield said: "We want this RoboWorld Cup to be the best ever and for that we need student teams from across the UK and around the world to take up the challenge and enter the competition.
"Teams need to be multi-disciplinary with a mix of computer scientists, electrical and mechanical engineers, as well as having expertise in vision and sensing. Teams working with humanoid robots, for example those that play football, have to focus on the gait of the robots, to make sure that when they move quickly, they don't stumble. As these robots have evolved they have become faster, so it is crucial to be able to manage the way they move.
"This event is a fantastic opportunity for students to showcase their skills, network with other roboticists and learn about the potential for robotics. We are delighted to be hosting this event in Bristol and we are looking forward to welcoming the world's most inventive and dedicated robotics experts to the city."
Isobel Pollock, president elect of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (http://www.imeche.org) who are sponsoring the event, said: "As we move forward robots are going to play an increasingly important part in all our lives. Robotics will be used to perform ever more sophisticated medical treatments, to control our transport and to complete tasks in the home. Care for the elderly will also benefit through research into socially assisted technology.
"The RoboWorld Cup is a way to inspire people about the potential of robots."
Robot soccer began in 1995. The Federation of International Robot-soccer Association (FIRA) was founded in June 1997 with the goal of taking the spirit of science and technology of robotics to the laymen and the younger generation. Alongside the games, a major scientific conference, the FIRA/TAROS Congress, will bring together the leading experts in robotics in the UK and worldwide.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers are main sponsors of FIRA RoboWorld Cup along with a range of industrial partners.
Meanwhile staff and students from BRL have already formed a team to enter the Humanoid Robot World Cup Soccer (HuroSot).
http://www.fira-taros2012.org.uk/fira-cup/teams/bristol-robotics-laboratory
Full details about the different disciplines and requirements for each sport can be found at: http://www.fira-taros2012.org.uk/fira-cup/disciplines
