RoboCup 2023 in Bordeaux
An exciting week full of thrilling competitions, technical innovations and friendly atmosphere took place in Bordeaux, France, from June 4 to 10, 2023. At RoboCup 2023, teams from all over the world competed in various leagues with their robots, some of which were autonomous. In the RoboCup@Work league, which focuses on the use of robots in industrial environments, team robOTTO from Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg came out on top and secured third place (2nd place - team SWOT from Schweinfurt, 1st place - team b-it-bots from Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences) - an impressive result achieved despite some challenges. Additionally, the team won one of the two challenge awards.
The RoboCup@Work league focuses on the use of autonomous robots in industrial scenarios. The robots navigate autonomously in partially known environments and perform manipulations on industrial objects. This is intended not only to showcase the current state of robotics for potential industrial applications, but also to give students and researchers the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. The competition consisted of six heats, three of which included basic tasks that served as the basis for the three advanced heats.
The RoboCup@Work league focuses on the use of autonomous robots in industrial scenarios. The robots navigate autonomously in partially known environments and perform manipulations on industrial objects. This is intended not only to showcase the current state of robotics for potential industrial applications, but also to give students and researchers the opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge in practice. The competition consisted of six heats, three of which included basic tasks that served as the basis for the three advanced heats.
In addition to the competition, Team robOTTO was actively involved in the organization, modification of the rulebook, and public relations - a unique feature of most RoboCup leagues, where the teams organize the league themselves.
The challenges that team robOTTO faced added to the excitement of the competition. Navigating the robot proved difficult at first, as the environment in Bordeaux was different than expected. The uneven and moving floor of the arena posed a challenge for all teams and caused problems in locating the robots. In addition, team robOTTO reached its limits with its older robot arm, especially in terms of speed. The integration of a new arm is planned for next year to address these challenges.
A total of seven teams from Germany, the Netherlands and Singapore took part in the competition. The friendly atmosphere between the teams, who exchange ideas throughout the year, was palpable during the competition days. RoboCup 2023 is not only a competition, but also a place for exchange and networking. In addition to the actual competitions, various evening events gave teams the opportunity to get to know each other better and share experiences. The highlight of the event was an atmospheric farewell party.
As the teams return home and review their experiences, they are already looking ahead to next year. RoboCup 2024 will be held in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, and promises to once again be a stage for groundbreaking technology and competitive spirit. The @Work league will be represented by the host team from Eindhoven, Team RoboHub. Not only will they experience the challenges and excitement of competition, but they will also be responsible for creating a welcoming and inspiring atmosphere for teams from around the world.
Between now and next year in Eindhoven, teams will be working hard to develop their robots, explore new technologies and prepare for the challenges ahead. RoboCup 2024 will undoubtedly provide another opportunity to push the boundaries of robotics and share the excitement of autonomous action in industrial environments.