NimbRo-OP Is A Humanoid Soccer-Playing Open Source Robot

It’s bad enough when you’re a kid and you’re playing sports and you get beaten by someone in the year below you, but imagine getting outclassed on the field by a robot. What would that do for your withering self-esteem? This is what our children’s children may have to look forward to if robots like the humanoid nimbRo-OP become commonplace.

This open source robot from researchers at the University of Bonn, Germany can play soccer (in the UK we call it football, it’s not soccer IT’S FOOTBALL!!), can run on Linux or Windows, and even comes integrated with wifi and USB connectivity.

While it’s certainly pretty cool, it could definitely work on its kicking technique. From looking at its display in the video, it’s not going to give the Spanish national team any sleepless nights, what with its tiny little steps, it could hardly fly down the wing intimidating opponents into submission. Although having said that, if the England team are looking for a new forward maybe they should get in touch.

[via Gizmag]

@stewart23rd