The biggest robot soccer competition in 2002 will be kicked off this June 19, in Fukuoka/Busan, Japan/South Korea with over 100 entrants competing in different leagues for the title of top team. For the first time, the games will be concurrent with the FIFA world cup games.
Billed as the largest and most important autonomous robot competition in the world, the tournament is now in its sixth year, having attracted teams from over 23 countries.
The contest was established with the ultimate aim of creating a squad of mechanical soccer players that can take on, and beat, the best human teams, by 2050 (see http://www.robocup.org).
Iranian ParticipationOver the past few years, teams from Iran have achieved spectacular results in the games, becoming the world champions in the midsize league in 1999, European champions in 2000, third in the world in 2000, and attaining multiple world championships in 2001 in different leagues.
This year, many university teams from Iran are expected to qualify for the competitions. Qualification is typically based on reaching a verifiable and proven specified level of performance, for both software (simulation) and hardware (small/midsize) teams. The Science and Arts Foundation has been supporting Iranian participation in these contests since the Seattle 2001 competitions.
Costs this year are about $2,150 per person for the week of the games (includes air travel, hotel stay, food, local transportation, and books). A total of $60,200 is being sought for seven 4-member teams.
Without your help many of these teams will not be able to attend. Will you please lend a helping hand?