It's now a game of twenty-two chips

A Plymouth University football team will be playing in front of millions in Germany this weekend. The players, all robots, are being trained by Paul Robinson and Guido Bugmann, writes Tim Greenhalgh.

Mr Robinson is a senior lecturer in robotics at the university's school of electronic, communication and electrical engineering, and Dr Bugmann is a senior research fellow in the school of computing.

Dr Bugmann said: "Robot soccer brings together researchers and students from a variety of disciplines.

"It is also an ideal vehicle for enthusing both existing and prospective technology students."

The Computerclub Night is the second live event of its kind to be broadcast by WDR, one of Germany's largest national television providers. The event will be hosted by the Heinz Nixdorf Museums Forum, the world's largest computer museum, and the University of Paderborn.

The "Mirosot" robots play

on a pitch measuring 130cm x 150cm, surrounded by white walls. The robot must be smaller than 8cm. Robots shoot an orange golf ball into a 30cm wide goal.

A video camera provides images of the game, which are processed by a PC that sends commands via a radio link to the robots.

www.tech.plymouth.ac.uk/soc/staff/guidbugm/robofoot.htm

University of Paderborn University: www.ccnacht.de/