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Humanoid robots powered by artificial intelligence participated in the inaugural fully autonomous 5v5 soccer match during the preliminary rounds of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, according to state-run newspaper Global Times.
Previously, competitions had been restricted to 3v3 matches. In this latest format, each squad consisted of two forwards, two defenders, and a goalkeeper. The robots assumed their positions at the start and then began tackling, passing, and shooting without any human intervention.
Some of the humanoid robots toppled during collisions but promptly got back on their feet and resumed playing. The audience erupted in applause for each goal scored. The match was played over 40 minutes, divided into two 15-minute halves with a 10-minute intermission.
The competition’s rulebook consists of almost 70 pages. Although it resembles conventional soccer, it permits heightened physical contact and incorporates adjustments specific to robots. For instance, after a free kick, opposing players must wait 10 seconds before making a challenge, allowing the AI enough time to carry out plays.
The World Humanoid Robot Games commenced on Thursday in Beijing and is set to continue for three days, showcasing over 500 robots from 280 teams across 16 nations. A total of 538 events are planned in 26 different sports, including soccer, athletics, and gymnastics.
These games follow China’s first AI robot soccer match, which took place on June 27 in Beijing and involved 3v3 teams.
