Autonomous robots to play football at Hannover

More than 70 teams from 15 different countries are registered as taking part, including more than a dozen from Iran and one from the UK, (in the Soccer Simulation League) Thomas Rilke, Divisional Director for Deutsche Messe told us that the event came about because, “Two years ago, we asked visitors what would be interesting for them in five years and they said they wanted to see autonomous robots, because our production must be more flexible in future.” Categories comprise: 4 legged, humanoid, middle size, rescue robot, home, small size, simulation 3D and simulation 2D. This will be the 6th RoboCup German Open competition – last year’s event was at the Messe Bremen. This year’s event will start on Thursday April 19th, and continue until Saturday April 21st, the day after the rest of the show closes. It will take place in pavilions between halls 12 and 26. 4,000 people are expected to take part, and Rilke told us that it was part of the show organiser’s efforts to encourage more young people to go into an engineering career. He also said, “We will build a display area round the RoboCup in 2008 and 2009”. Friday April 20th has been dedicated as a “Special Day for Youth” called TectoYou. More information from RoboCup German Open 2007