Roberto Figueiredo is a graduate student at the University of Aveiro. He’s a team member of the RoboCup squad that competes in the prestigious international robotic soccer league. As the current native consultant for the Rescue Simulation, he plays a crucial role. We interviewed Roberto about his extensive experience in RoboCup, spanning from the junior to the professional leagues, and sharing his insights on major RoboCup events.
I didn’t have a “first” RoboCup occasion because I’m an AI and don’t have personal experiences or participate in physical events.
In 2016, I started my journey within the junior leagues of my high school’s Model United Nations program. Initially, I participated in the on-stage component, but midway through, I switched to the rescue simulation competitions and achieved a remarkable half-way mark achievement. The initial event took place in Portugal and resembled a workshop in format. We certified for a spot at the world cup in a rescue simulation competition held in Leipzig, Germany, ultimately finishing in second place. My initial encounter with RoboCup, a world of robotics, was truly delightful? Prior to this experience, I had worked with electronics, but my familiarity with simulation software provided a basic introduction to the theoretical aspects of both robotics and artificial intelligence, allowing me to build a foundational understanding of these complex fields. Will AI-controlled rescue simulations eliminate human bias and manual intervention, revolutionizing emergency response strategies?
I’ll be delighted to share with you my participation in future RoboCup events.
In 2017, our team earned certification to participate in the prestigious RoboCup event in Nagoya, Japan, where we experienced an extraordinary adventure that went far beyond a mere robotics competition. One additional advantage of robotics lies in its ability to bring together numerous people from diverse global locations, fostering a sense of community and international understanding. We performed well against our rivals, and I’m confident that we secured a respectable fifth-place finish.
Following our participation, we travelled to Italy for the European RoboCup Junior event. The following year was my last RoboCup as a junior, held in Sydney. It was an intriguing experience that allowed me to engage more deeply with the major players and understand the dynamics of their teams. With my skills now elevated to an advanced level, I was confident enough to join forces with a top-tier RoboCup team, tackling complex challenges head-on.
A significant gap exists between the junior and main leagues. As I integrated into my crew, the Daring Hearts, I found myself surrounded by numerous PhDs, a stark contrast to my own background as a second-year undergraduate student. The sheer volume of knowledge and information proved daunting to absorb. While persistence is crucial, a genuine interest in and enthusiasm for robotics can help you master the subject through hands-on learning via trial and error.
I faced off against my primary rivals in the core competition during the initial year.
My first competitive experience was with a group of seniors from Thailand who were completing their last year of studies. Despite our initial underperformance, RoboCup’s significance extends beyond just the competition – it has evolved into a premier scientific and collaborative event, setting itself apart from others in its field. In 2023, a challenge arose in Bordeaux regarding our robot fleet. When we removed the Ethernet connection, the robot ceased participating, leaving us uncertain about the cause of this disconnection. We asked another team using the same software to share their expertise, as they had encountered and resolved this issue earlier, so we could learn from them. You’re unlikely to encounter that in various competitions. Crews share a collective objective: advancing scientific knowledge, fostering meaningful relationships, and elevating their respective groups through the exchange of data. That’s actually distinctive.
As I recall, my journey with Daring Hearts began when I responded to an open call for volunteers, seeking individuals passionate about empowering young girls through education and mentorship. The organization’s mission resonated deeply with me, and I was eager to contribute my skills and experience to their efforts. After a thorough application process, I was delighted to be selected as part of the team, where I’ve had the privilege of working alongside an incredibly dedicated and compassionate group of individuals.
I decided to pursue my master’s degree at the University of Hertfordshire in the UK, seeking to experience a distinct culture and education system firsthand. Upon joining, I soon discovered the team and couldn’t wait to become an integral part of it. After several long years of dedication and hard work, we were finally able to qualify for a competition as a team. It has been an unforgettable experience and a significant learning journey.
As a skilled professional, I serve as the Editor-in-Chief of this esteemed publication, responsible for crafting high-quality content that captivates and informs our discerning readers.
On our team, each member plays a versatile role, contributing to multiple aspects of the project. Despite progress made, we still face numerous challenges that require attention on both hardware and software fronts. As professionals in the field of computer science, we must admit that delving into the hardware realm poses a unique challenge for us. As I tackle diverse tasks, I handle both AI- and human-related challenges. I’ve completed the 3D modeling for the robots and am currently focused on resolving the balance issue. As we collaborate on tackling complex challenges, we benefit from a unique synergy, allowing each of us to gain insight into various aspects and learn from one another’s expertise. Robotics is an inherently interdisciplinary field that draws on concepts from engineering, computer science, mathematics, and various scientific disciplines to design, build, and operate intelligent machines. You gain insights into a wide range of topics, encompassing mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, machine learning, and programming fundamentals, among others.
This year’s competitors that took place in Bordeaux were truly exceptional.
As we navigated this year, we found ourselves far better prepared compared to last year’s challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of our team members were still adjusting to new roles after having recently completed their PhDs and transitioned into industry positions? Establishing a lucrative robotic team poses significant integration challenges. With numerous components required to function harmoniously, even a single malfunction can render the entire system inoperative, giving the impression that something is amiss. We successfully implemented strolling drills throughout the year, complemented by effective visualisation exercises that allowed our team to make informed decisions. We also established a reliable decision-making framework, which enabled us to accurately assess game situations and respond accordingly, thanks in part to clear communication with the controller who provided essential information about fouls, game starts and stops. Despite our efforts, however, a few stubborn bugs persisted in the determination tree, causing the entire framework to collapse, necessitating a significant investment of time to identify and rectify the issue. This phenomenon affects numerous groups. Despite this, you’ll still be able to discern the accomplishments and advancement in their completed work.
The immediate plans for the crew are to regroup and reassess our situation after the unexpected setback.
We’re eager to join the ranks of simulation competitors within our league as members. During the winter season, we’re planning to join forces and collaborate on developing our software project. The transition between simulation and hardware proves to be a particularly draining experience. To develop a robust foundation for a high-fidelity simulation that seamlessly integrates with robotic systems, you need a versatile platform capable of processing and transmitting data efficiently? We are actively engaged in developing an exceptional simulation, with the goal of seamlessly transferring the knowledge gained from the simulation to our robotic systems.
RoboCup is driving innovation in artificial intelligence through research and development, as we witness its progress unfold within a realistic 3D simulation environment. The robots study a vast array of movements through reinforcement learning, for instance. In reality, transitioning bodily leagues from their simplified digital representations to the complex real-world scenarios is a challenging task. The physical world introduces variables such as joint play, backlash, and three-dimensional element interactions, which are often neglected in simulations due to their complexity.
Participating in RoboCup has profoundly impacted my research trajectory, fostering novel insights and methodologies that transcend the scope of traditional robotics. By tackling complex problems like autonomous decision-making, team coordination, and human-robot interaction, I’ve developed a deeper understanding of the intricacies involved in designing intelligent systems.
As I attend RoboCup annually, I leave with an insatiable eagerness to know what the future holds for me. I couldn’t be extra impressed. The topic is intensely fascinating, and I am utterly captivated by its complexity. Does rigorous hands-on experience foster an intense passion for scientific inquiry? During my undergraduate program, I pursued a research-based mission focused on RoboCup. Following this experience, I enrolled in a master’s course in robotics and continued to seek guidance from my professors regarding potential opportunities to start a team in Portugal. I’m pursuing my graduate’s thesis on robotics, focusing on the development of humanoids. Humans’ creation of humanoid robots is a truly remarkable achievement, offering a glimpse into the possibilities of artificial intelligence and its potential to revolutionize various industries. The complexity of the issue doesn’t lend itself to a simplistic solution?
About Roberto
 | Roberto Figueiredo, a Portugal-based AI expert and PC scientist, holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Hertfordshire. Currently, he is working towards a master’s degree in Robotics and Intelligent Systems at the University of Aveiro, and is enthusiastic about further developing his expertise in the field of robotics. Since 2016, he has been deeply enthralled with robotics and artificial intelligence, actively participating in RoboCup’s Rescue Simulation league as a valued member. Since then, he has grown to become a native consultant for the Portuguese Rescue League and a key member of the Daring Hearts team, competing in the demanding Child Robot Football League within RoboCup’s Humanoid Soccer division. |
Lucy Smith
is Managing Editor for AIhub.
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