- RoboCup-nao - lists.robocup.org

Dutch Nao Team Code Release
by Gijs de Jong 12 Dec '25

12 Dec '25

Dear SPL Teams, We are happy to announce the Dutch Nao Team 2025 code release. Our full software repository is now open source, and the exact version used at RoboCup 2025 has been tagged as robocup-2025. Apologies for the delayed release. This was an oversight on our side while transitioning our development focus to the Booster platform. The repository includes our complete SPL stack, covering perception, localization, behavior, motion, visualization, tooling and simulation support. You can find the release here: https://github.com/IntelligentRoboticsLab/yggdrasil/releases/tag/robocup-20… Best regards, Dutch Nao Team *PS:* We would like to thank everyone in the league for the many great interactions and the wonderful time we had in the SPL as the Dutch Nao Team. Going forward, our team will continue under a new name: whIRLwind Amsterdam. Updates on our work and future activities can be found on our new website: https://whirlwind.team/

1 0

Newsletter #2 - Humanoid Soccer League
by Caron, Benjamin 05 Dec '25

05 Dec '25

New Division Structure for the Humanoid Soccer League (HSL) The Technical Committee is pleased to announce the latest developments for the new humanoid soccer league. This newsletter provides clarifications on the current state of decisions regarding the divisions, ball specifications, and jersey requirements for the RoboCup 2026. Town Hall All teams are invited to a Town Hall meeting. The Town Hall will be held on December 15th at 11:00 UTC online in Zoom: https://hu-berlin.zoom-x.de/j/68018766319?pwd=bbgiDWtbSCcRv9ZWdyUSapBaFZeza… The agenda for the meeting will be: * Mission and Vision of the HSL * HSL design requirements and parameters * Rule set review: * Legal Robot parameters, constructed & standard platforms * Divisions and Foundation/Advanced tiers * Team sizes * Brief Game Rules review * Future coming directions and league requirements, 2027-2028 * Q&A Session, including pre-provided questions/comments During the Q&A session, priority will be given to questions submitted in advance. Please use this form: https://forms.gle/2QNeWgvg8ciKBAzw9 Three Competitive Divisions for 2026 The division structure is the central component of the new league. Thus, the decision regarding the competition divisions was a lengthy process that involved many individuals from TCs to EXECS and Trustees. We took into account many opinions, including all the discussions held on Discord, and carefully considered all relevant factors. Consequently, this division is final for the 2026 season, and no further changes will be made. Division Max Weight Max Height Players Ball Size Small 15 kg 110 cm 4-7 SPL / FIFA Mini Middle 25 kg 125 cm 3-5 FIFA 3 or 4 Large 80 kg 190 cm 3-5 FIFA 5 Division Overview * Small Division Entry tier of the HSL, welcoming both NAO and kid-size research robots. Designed for accessibility while supporting innovation and providing a smooth transition from the former SPL. In this division, the maximum weight and height of the robots have an upper limit, meaning that robots that are heavier or higher than the limit are not allowed. The details of how the FIFA Miniball and the smaller, softer SPL ball will be used are still being debated. * Middle Division Intermediate tier between small and full-size platforms, enabling stronger actuators, larger sensor payloads, and more advanced locomotion research, while still allowing for easy handling and large team sizes. Both size 3 and size 4 balls will be used, depending on availability. * Large Division Aligned with adult human-scale proportions (up to 190 cm / 80 kg), this division brings robots closer to real-world adult soccer challenges. Smaller robots (i.e., those meeting the weight and height specifications of a lower division) are permitted to compete in larger divisions. We anticipate and hope for a diverse competitive landscape featuring teams fielding a variety of robot types, including both commercial platforms and custom research robots of different sizes. However, for a team utilizing multiple types of robots, the entire team is restricted by the physical specifications (maximum height or maximum weight) of the largest robot on the field. It is important to note that teams should expect further increases in the small division limits over the next years, leading up to the consolidation in two categories only: one that would allow robots to play with children of up to 10 years; and another with robots that could compete with teen and adult human players. Field Dimensions The field sizes for the proposed divisions are described in the following table: Division Width x Length (meters) Small 6 × 9 Middle 6 x 9 up to 9 x 14 Large 9 x 14 up to 14 X 22 The size of the small division field is equal to that of the Humanoid League KidSize and the SPL fields, and the largest dimension in the middle division equals the Humanoid AdultSize field. These dimensions maintain continuity with historical league formats while accommodating the new divisional structure. The middle and large fields are specified as a range, and they reflect the variability permitted in real-world FIFA field specifications. Team Configurations Teams in each division can choose to play in two team configurations: Foundation - with a smaller number of players; and Advanced - with a larger number of players. If in a game one of the teams chooses to play in a Foundation configuration, then both teams must play in this configuration to ensure fairness. The maximum number of players in a game for each configuration is shown in the table below: Division Foundation Advanced Small 4 players 7 players Middle 3 players 5 players Large 3 players 5 players Those numbers denote the maximum number of players in a team. A team can always compete with fewer robots than the maximum configuration allowance. In the Middle division, starting from the quarter-finals onwards, all matches will be played in the Advanced configuration. Whether a robot pool can be provided to fill up teams that cannot field enough robots is currently under discussion. Teams are encouraged to choose the Advanced configuration in the small and large divisions as well, for example, by forming merged teams. It is likely that in the next years Advanced configurations will be enforced in all divisions. Fitness Tests Robot inspections verify that robots meet the physical specifications for their division, but they do not assess robot abilities (e.g., standing up is not required for eligibility). Fitness tests and leaderboard challenges will be included in the competition in some form, though the exact structure is still under discussion. These fitness tests serve as a benchmark to monitor the progress of the league. Failure to pass any of the tests will not prevent teams from participating. Robot Color and Jerseys Robot bodies must be colored mostly with a neutral color, such as black, gray, white, or silver, and be non-reflective. Robots use colored jersey shirts as team markers. A Jersey is a tank top-style shirt that may start at the neck and go down to the waistline, and does not cover the arms of the robots. It must cover at least 50% of the upper body of the robot. Jerseys must have a primary color that comprises more than half of the jersey. The primary color must be recognizable from the front and back. Jerseys should not contain distracting patterns that could be confused with other elements of the soccer field, such as field lines or the ball. Jersey material must be non-reflecting, non-shiny, and non-glittery. Jerseys may be manufactured from fabric and fine mesh. Each team must provide two jersey designs in distinctly different solid colors. The jersey color must clearly contrast with any uncovered parts of the robot to ensure reliable identification. Robots must display clear identification numbers (player number): a large number on the back and a smaller number on the front. Sponsorship logos will be allowed on jerseys, though detailed guidelines are still being finalized. Jersey designs must be submitted for approval prior to the competition. Robot Stand-Up Requirement Robots are expected to recover autonomously after a fall during a game. If a robot is unable to stand up on its own during play, a standard penalty will be applied. Robots that are not physically designed to stand up unassisted may still participate in the competition; however, the same penalty rules will apply when they are unable to recover from a fall during a game. Rule repository The rules are actively developed on this repository: https://github.com/RoboCup-HumanoidSoccerLeague/HSL-Rules <https://github.com/RoboCup-HumanoidSoccerLeague/HSL-Rules> However, please note that due to the early stage, those rules are subject to change. Best regards, The Executive and Technical Committee of the Humanoid Soccer League (HSL)

1 0

RoboCup German Open 2026 - Save the Date 10 - 14/03/26
by Heinrich Mellmann 12 Nov '25

12 Nov '25

*RoboCup German Open 2026* *Save the Date - Major Leagues* https://robocup.de/german-open/?lang=en <https://robocup.de/german-open/?lang=en> Cologne Trade Fair, Cologne, Germany The 23nd RoboCup German Open 2026 will take place from *March 10-14* in Cologne. Cologne with its welcoming vibe offers a captivating mix of culture, architecture, history, and lively atmosphere. From the awe-inspiring Cologne Cathedral — a UNESCO World Heritage Site — to its dynamic art scene and riverside cafés along the Rhine, the city invites exploration. For example, visitors can enjoy world-class museums, the walkable old town with many bars, or festive events like the Cologne Carnival. Cologne is a perfect destination for both history lovers and urban adventurers and a great host for RoboCup German Open 2026. Every regional and international Major team is cordially invited to take part in the event. *RoboCup Major Leagues (international teams)* After the team setup on March 10th, the competitions will take place from 11th to 14th of March 2026 in the following main leagues: * RoboCup Humanoid Soccer League * RoboCupSoccer Small Size League * RoboCupRescue Robot League * RoboCupIndustrial Smart Manufacturing League * RoboCup@Home League Registration opens *December 1st, 2025*, further announcements will follow. Registration deadline *January 31st, 2026* Late registration deadline (team members only) *February 28th, 2026*. Teams are advised to arrange their own accommodation *as early as possible* as cost of accommodation is expected to rise in the run-up of the event. Most recent rule developments in all leagues, especially the Soccer and Smart Manufacturing Leagues will be considered for the competitions. Depending on sufficient interest from teams in participating, additional major leagues, such as the Middle Size League, may be offered. *Further information on co-located events* RoboCup German Open 2026 will be embedded in didacta 2026, which is Europe’s largest education fair and most important continuing education event for teachers. Over 700 exhibitors from more than 60 countries will present their offerings in Cologne. Participants tickets to RoboCup German Open will include didacta tickets as well. The 2nd German Robotics Conference on AI-powered robotics, organized by the Robotics Institute Germany, will take place from March 11 to 13, 2026, parallel to the RoboCup German Open and in close proximity to it. -- Prof. Dr. Alexander Ferrein Mobile Autonomous Systems & Cognitive Robotics Institute Robotics and Foundations of Computer Science FH Aachen - University of Applied Sciences Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology Eupener Strasse 70 | 52066 Aachen | Germany T: +49 241 6009 51904 | F: +49 241 6009 52190 E: ferrein(a)fh-aachen.de | W: www.ferrein.fh-aachen.de Speaker Major Competitions of the RoboCup German Regional Committee W: www.robocup.de Former Vice-Chair of the African-German Network of Excellence in Science A Network of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation W: www.agnes-h.org

1 0

[CfP] The 12th Robotic Hamburg Open Workshop (RoHOW) | Nov 28-30, 2025
by HULKs 23 Oct '25

23 Oct '25

Dear RoboCup Community and Robot Soccer Enthusiasts, We are thrilled to officially invite you to the *12th Robotic Hamburg Open Workshop (RoHOW)*, hosted by the HULKs robot soccer team at the Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)! The event will take place from November 28 - November 30, 2025 at TUHH Hamburg, Germany. RoHOW is our annual networking and educational event designed for RoboCup teams to share insights, discuss advancements, and tackle challenges in humanoid robotics and robot soccer. We strive to create a friendly and collaborative environment for in-depth discussions, hands-on workshops, and informative talks. *An Open Space for Ideas* The event follows the concept of an "Open Space Conference." This means the program is agile and flexible, shaped by the topics /you/ want to explore. This means a large part of the event is dedicated to participant-driven discussions. It's the perfect place to exchange ideas on the evolution of the league or any other cutting-edge topic you're passionate about. *All Robot Soccer Teams Welcome!* In the spirit of the ongoing unification of the RoboCup soccer divisions, we want to make it clear that this invitation isn't just for SPL teams. *We warmly invite teams from all robot soccer leagues* to join the event! *New This Year: Livestream Option* For the first time, we will be setting up a livestream for our main talks, allowing teams to participate remotely. Please note that to maintain the informal and open atmosphere of our discussions, the "couch zone" sessions and informal discussion rounds will /not/ be streamed. Registration for the livestreams will be required as well. We will also have opportunities for our industry partners and sponsors to showcase their exciting projects. *Event Summary:* * *Event:* 12th Robotic Hamburg Open Workshop (RoHOW) * *Dates:* November 28-30, 2025 * *Location:* Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Hamburg, Germany * *Participation Fee:* 55€ (This covers drinks, dinner on Friday, and breakfast on Saturday and Sunday.) *Registration* To register your team (for either in-person or online participation), please send an email to *hulks(a)hulks.de* by *November 15, 2025*. In your email, please state: 1. Your team name. 2. How many members plan to attend in person. 3. If you are interested in the remote livestream option. We want to make sure everyone can attend. If any team members find it difficult to pay the full price, please send a mail to *hulks(a)hulks.de* for a "friends ticket" so we can work out a solution. For further information, please keep an eye on our website: *https://rohow.de* Please also feel free to contact us if you have any questions or suggestions! We can't wait to welcome you to Hamburg! Best regards Team HULKs

1 0

NaoClinic at GermanOpen
by Stella Schlotter 23 Oct '25

23 Oct '25

Hi everyone, For the GermanOpen 2026, we’d like to assess the need for a Nao Clinic and are therefore reaching out to find out which teams are planning to compete with Nao robots next year. Your feedback will help us plan accordingly. Best regards, Stella Schlotter on behalf of RoboCup Germany

1 0

RoboEireann Code Release 2025
by Rudi Villing 16 Oct '25

16 Oct '25

Dear RoboCup SPL Teams, We hereby announce the availability of our 2025 Code Release at: https://github.com/roboeireann/RoboEireannCodeRelease This is the complete code release representing the state of the code as of the end of RoboCup 2025 with some very minor tidy up. It has everything required to run a game and also contains the code used in technical and leaderboard challenges. Best regards, Rudi (on behalf of RoboEireann)

1 0

B-Human Code Release 2025
by Thomas Röfer 15 Oct '25

15 Oct '25

Hi RoboCuppers! The team B-Human announces the availability of our 2025 code release at https://github.com/bhuman/BHumanCodeRelease This is the complete B-Human code release! The software released is a cleaned-up version of the system we used in the 2025 competitions. This is the whole system, i.e the soccer code and the code used in the technical challenge, together with a detailed documentation (found at https://docs.b-human.de/coderelease2025<https://docs.b-human.de/coderelease2024>). Our software is released with its own 3-D simulator. It is now based on MuJoCo instead of ODE to support a more realistic simulation of the robots. Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS are fully supported. In our contribution to the Open Research Challenge, we presented our framework running on a Booster T1 robot. This is part of this code release. The code also runs on the Booster K1, although the support is not complete yet. For both robots, we also provide early versions of learned walks that work both on the real robots and in our simulator. Have fun :-) Team B-Human

1 0

RedbackBots Code Release 2025
by Timothy Wiley 15 Oct '25

15 Oct '25

Dear SPL Teams, RedbackBots are pleased to announce that our 2025 Code Release is available at: https://github.com/rmit-computing-technologies/redbackbots-coderelease Our corresponding Team Report for 2025 is available in the repository at: https://github.com/rmit-computing-technologies/redbackbots-coderelease/blob… We are also pleased to note that our Augmented Reality Visualiser, GameSight, as discussed during the 2025 Open Research Challenge is available at: https://github.com/rmit-computing-technologies/redbackbots-gamesight Kind Regards, Timothy Wiley On behalf of the RedbackBots Team. Dr. Timothy Wiley | Lecturer, School of Computing Technologies | RMIT University Building 14, Level 11 (City Campus) | Homepage<https://timothy-wiley.github.io> | RAIsE Hub | AI Innovation Lab<http://rmit.edu.au/ailab> Executive Committee | RoboCup Soccer RoboCup Federation<https://www.robocup.org>

1 0

Berlin United Code Release
by Stella Schlotter 14 Oct '25

14 Oct '25

Hi everyone our code release is published at https://github.com/BerlinUnited/NaoTH/releases/tag/release%2Frc2025 Best Stella

1 0

Newsletter #1 - New RoboCup Soccer League
by Caron, Benjamin 07 Oct '25

07 Oct '25

Introducing the New RoboCup Soccer League (Official name to be announced) RoboCup 2026 will mark the beginning of a new chapter in humanoid robot soccer. The Standard Platform League (SPL) and the Humanoid League (HL) are merging into a single unified league. This brings together years of expertise, innovation, and competition under one framework. Why merge? * Shared goals: Both leagues focus on humanoid soccer, but from different angles. * Unified platform: A single set of design and gameplay rules will allow for a more direct comparison of approaches. * Future growth: A larger, more diverse league will drive faster progress in humanoid robotics. Minimum Robot Rules The Technical Committees (TC) of both the former SPL and HL are currently working on the detailed rules for the new league. For now, here are some important updates: 1. Robot eligibility for RoboCup 2026 * Both commercially available and self-built robots will be allowed, as well as mixtures * All robots that competed at RoboCup 2025 in either the SPL or HL will be eligible. * All robots listed on robotprogram.robocup.org<https://robotprogram.robocup.org/> are also accepted. 2. Minimum requirement for all competing robots * Robots participating in the league must have a human-like body shape with a torso, head, two arms, and two legs, as well as human-like symmetry and proportions regarding sizes of the body parts and weight distribution (Definition of humanoid robot from Kajima et al, 2005). * Locomotion: Robots must walk bipedally, run, or jump. They must stand upright on their feet and recover from falls. * Body Mass Index (BMI): 5 ≤ BMI ≤ 30. * Leg length: Must follow human-like proportions: 0.35 · Htop ≤ Hleg ≤ 0.7 · Htop (Htop = total robot height). * Arm span: Inspired by da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man for human-like proportions: 0.8 · Htop ≤ Aspan ≤ 1.2 · Htop. * Arm functionality: Arm length and placement must support human-like behaviors (e.g., standing up after a fall, picking up or throwing a ball). * Not allowed: non-human-like support (e.g., using arms to assist walking). * Arms must not reach below the knees when standing upright. * Head height: Must follow proportional constraints: 0.1 · Htop ≤ Hhead ≤ 0.3 · Htop. * Sensor * Allowed sensors Robots may include any of the following: * Vision: RGB camera (opening angle < 180°), stereo camera, event camera * Audio: Microphone array * Inertial: Gyroscope, accelerometer, IMU (without compass) * Force and touch: Force sensors, touch sensors, buttons/bumpers, other haptic sensors * Intrinsic: Temperature, current, joint positions, and other internal measurements * Not allowed sensors The following are prohibited to ensure equal conditions for all robots: * Omnidirectional (360°) camera * Independent compass * LIDAR (2D/3D) * Ultra-Wideband (UWB) distance measurement * Bluetooth-based localization * Unmentioned sensors are still subject to evaluation 1. Eligible standard robot platforms (non-exhaustive): * Nao V5, Nao V6 * Darwin (model) * Booster T1, K1 * Fourier GR1, GR1-Pro, GR2 * Unitree G1, H1 Envisioned Timeline The TC will share more details in the coming months on: * Divisions - mid October * More information on mechanical and electrical components - mid October * Game rules - early November * Safety - mid November RoboCup 2026 participation survey The Technical Committee would like to gather information on teams’ intentions to participate in the new Soccer League. Please fill out the following form here<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GHyBmgWAwPkWkOcLqCsbFu5WN578o2ckU8ihO4k0sn…>. Stay tuned for updates as we build this exciting new chapter in RoboCup soccer! The Technical Committee of the new RoboCup Soccer League

1 0

RoboCup: Participate in Our League Name Survey!
by Sam Griffiths 05 Oct '25

05 Oct '25

Dear RoboCup Teams, We hope this message finds you well. As we prepare for an exciting change in 2026, RoboCup is merging the Standard Platform League (SPL) and the Humanoid League (HL) into a unified league. About the New League; To help inform your choice of league name, here are the key characteristics of the merged league: * The league will focus on the game of soccer * It will be for humanoid-like robots only * This will be RoboCup's single Major League for humanoid robots playing soccer (consolidating what were previously two separate Major Leagues) * The league may include multiple divisions to group robots by weight, size, and abilities, ensuring fair and competitive matches across different robot capabilities To ensure this new league reflects the spirit and vision of our community, we are inviting you to participate in our RoboCup League Name Survey. Your team's input on potential names for this merged league will help guide the Trustees' decision-making process. Please take a moment to fill out the survey and share your valuable insights. Teams are encouraged to submit one response per team, however, multiple responses are allowed. Survey Link<https://forms.gle/u6Ei4FfGMZgUxqb67> Plain text: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8bTIpMEPeflgX65ysjusxUKwSANrWmJD… Thank you for your participation and support. Sam Griffiths, On Behalf of the 2026 SPL+HL Technical Committee

1 0

Naova code release 2025
by Club Naova 19 Sep '25

19 Sep '25

Hello everyone, I wanted to inform you that our code release for the shared autonomy challenge can be found at the following link: https://github.com/Naova/NaovaRelease [https://opengraph.githubassets.com/1d8d0509ee4432f32ef80ef55f20f3dfcf43da4d…]<https://github.com/Naova/NaovaRelease> GitHub - Naova/NaovaRelease<https://github.com/Naova/NaovaRelease> Contribute to Naova/NaovaRelease development by creating an account on GitHub. github.com Kind regards, [cid:fa198970-7cb7-47fd-b567-549a221d0021] Christine Yang-Dai | Étudiante en génie logiciel Co-Capitaine du club scientifique Naova École de technologie supérieure | 1100, rue Notre-Dame Ouest Montréal (Qc) Canada | H3C1K3 Tél. : 438-926-5898 | Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/clubnaova/> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/naorobotique/> | Site Web<https://www.clubnaova.ca/>

1 0

CodeRelease 2025 - HULKs
by HULKs TUHH 18 Sep '25

18 Sep '25

Dear SPL Community, Thank you all for an amazing RoboCup 2025 in Brazil! As you know, our software is developed fully open source and remains accessible to everyone at all times. The state of our codebase used during the competition is available here: https://github.com/HULKs/hulk/releases/tag/robocup2025 We believe that open sourcing codebases strengthens collaboration and enables everyone to benefit from shared knowledge and innovation. We encourage other teams to consider releasing their code as well. Best regards Team HULKs

1 0

RC Soccer SPL Call for TC/OC Nominations
by Timothy Wiley 16 Jul '25

16 Jul '25

Dear SPL Teams, TL;DR This is a call for nominations to the SPL organising committee (OC) and technical committee (TC). Without the work that these committees do, RoboCup SPL would not be possible. Both committees generally require 4-5 members each. We ask that all teams nominate candidates for the committees. This year, we are particularly focused on strong representation from as many active teams as possible to help drive the new direction of our league. Please email your nominations to the Execs by Thursday 17 July, 5.00pm (Brazil - Brasilia Standard Time) as indicated below. What does being a committee member entail? The two committees (OC and TC) each have a different focus, although they work closely at times. The TC is responsible for writing the rules and technical challenges of the SPL and implementing the league's longer-term roadmap year by year. The TC also manages the call for participation and qualification decisions. The time commitment varies depending on the time of year, but the TC usually meets at least once a month and the responsibilities are divided between the committee members. This year will require flexibility and major rule changes as we move to a new platform. The OC helps implement directives from the TC and is responsible for organizational aspects of the league and the RoboCup event. The OC interacts with the Local Organising Committee for the RoboCup event itself to ensure that the physical environment, network, etc. matches the league's needs. The OC also helps organise the running of the SPL at the event, including the game schedule, referee allocation, the collation of results, etc. Like the TC, the time commitment varies, but OC usually meets at least once a month after the call for participation has gone out. The OC is an ideal committee for newer members of our league, who will be participating last year. Nominees to both committees are voted for by the teams but must be approved by the trustees. (The trustees can also appoint members.) The trustees have specifically asked for diversified representation from different geographical regions and teams at different levels of the competition, in addition to other kinds of diversity. You don't have to be an experienced RoboCupper or from an experienced team to join the committees. All we ask is that you have a reasonable expectation of attending the next RoboCup event and will commit to the role for at least the year leading up to that event. (If you might be able to participate for a couple of years, that is even better). By participating you get a chance to reshape the future of our league, develop long-lasting relationships, to help the league operate and improve, to add to your resume, and to genuinely make a difference. Nomination and election process Any member of any team may be nominated. You can nominate yourself, or another person (but ask them first to make sure they are interested in being nominated). To make a nomination, simply email all the execs ( jphanna(a)cs.wisc.edu<mailto:jphanna@cs.wisc.edu>, robocup(a)stefan.seeri.ng<mailto:robocup@stefan.seeri.ng>, and timothy.wiley(a)rmit.edu.au<mailto:timothy.wiley@rmit.edu.au> ) with the following information by Thursday 17 July, 5.00pm (Brazil - Brasilia Standard Time) : Committee (TC or OC)? Nominee’s name: Nominee’s team: Nominee’s email: After nominations have been finalized, the list will be circulated and each team may vote for three preferred nominees for each committee. More instructions will be given when the election opens. We look forward to receiving your nominations. Best regards, Josiah, Stefan, and Timothy (SPL execs)

1 0

Nao Clinic Updates
by Timothy Wiley 11 Jul '25

11 Jul '25

Hello teams, This is an update on our Nao Clinic for this year, based on the most recent information that we have: * This year we will have a small team of volunteers who will be available to repair Nao’s. This means the number of Nao’s that can be repaired will be reduced, and we kindly ask teams not to expect extensive repairs or quick turn-arounds. * Repairs will be largely be for hardware (gears and motors). Replacement circuit boards, sensors are limited. Replacement cameras are not available. * We are expecting to be able to run re-calibration software for replacement joints/motors, but teams may need to assist the clinic team in conducting re-calibration. * If able, we encourage teams to bring older robots as 'donors' that are otherwise not working as a source for additional parts (especially for the more limited replacement parts, i.e., sensors, cameras, etc). * Repairs are free (including out-of-warranty). However, we request that teams bring robots primarily for competition use, and not a general repair backlog, as parts are limited. Regards, Timothy Dr. Timothy Wiley | Lecturer, School of Computing Technologies | RMIT University Building 14, Level 11 (City Campus) | Homepage<https://timothy-wiley.github.io> | RAIsE Hub | AI Innovation Lab<http://rmit.edu.au/ailab> Executive Committee | RoboCup Soccer Standard Platform League (SPL) SPL Website<https://spl.robocup.org> | RoboCup Federation<https://www.robocup.org>

1 0

SPL GameController for RoboCup 2025
by Arne Hasselbring 08 Jul '25

08 Jul '25

Hi, I’m sure many of you have already regularly used the development versions of the GameController from the Git repository, but there is now a (likely) final version available at: https://github.com/RoboCup-SPL/GameController3/releases/tag/v5.0.0-rc.3 I recommend reading the release notes, and especially testing the most passes leaderboard mode if you’re participating in that. It handles counting the points (1 click = 1 point, i.e. a „successful pass“ requires two clicks) and calculates the score including the time bonus at the end. For those of you stuck with Ubuntu 20.04 and similarly ancient Linux systems, there is the tauri1 branch which is functionally equivalent but doesn’t require libwebkit2gtk-4.1. I couldn't test it though, good luck! A binary release of the TCM/GameStateVisualizer and other associated tools is also available at: https://github.com/RoboCup-SPL/GameController/releases/tag/RoboCup2025 This is also a good time for a final check that the colors in https://github.com/RoboCup-SPL/GameController3/blob/master/config/teams.yaml are correct for your team. Bug reports, fixes, questions as usual either as GitHub issues or by email to arha(a)uni-bremen.de I wish everyone a safe trip to Salvador an exciting and successful RoboCup! - Arne

1 0

HULKs Code Usage Announcement
by Alexander Schmidt 06 Jul '25

06 Jul '25

Hello all, We are writing to announce the code usage of Team HULKs for this years RoboCup. We are using bhuman/CompiledNN <https://github.com/bhuman/CompiledNN> for the inference of our ball detection networks. Furthermore, the core concept of our walking engine is inspired by rUNSWift's walking engine. Additionally, we might use the joint angle prediction network from B-Human's 2024 Code Release <https://github.com/bhuman/BHumanCodeRelease>. We would like to thank Team BHuman and Team rUNSWift for their continued contributions to the league. Our codebase, development activity, and discussions are, as usual, fully open source and available under hulks/hulk <https://github.com/HULKs/hulk>. Team HULKs

1 0

🤖 RoboCup SPL 2025 – Newsletter #5
by Caron, Benjamin 30 Jun '25

30 Jun '25

Dear SPL Teams, The RoboCup is just a few days away. In this newsletter, we present the last information you need before the competition. ________________________________ 📘 Final Competition Rules Released The final version of the RoboCup SPL 2025 Rules has now been published. All participating teams are expected to comply with these rules throughout the competition. Please review them carefully and ensure your code and robots are aligned with the latest updates. 📄 <https://spl.robocup.org/downloads/#2025> Rules are available here<https://spl.robocup.org/downloads/#2025> Here is the list of changes that got updated after the prior newsletter: * There are no changes to the main competition. However, in this newsletter, you will find a section that overwrites the rules to accommodate a limited Nao Clinic and to integrate both Challenge Shield and Champion Cup into the same tournament. * Both the KICKin-Rollin Challenge and Leaderboard Challenge received minor updates. These are mostly clarifications, but if you expect to participate, please review them. * Finally, a section has been added to define an overall ranking between the KICKin-Rollin Challenge and Open Research Challenge. ________________________________ 🛠️ Limited Nao Clinic – Temporary Adjustments As announced in the previous newsletter, there will not be a full Nao Clinic as known in past years. However, we can now confirm the presence of a limited Nao Clinic. Repairs will be limited in manpower, spare parts, and diagnostic software. While every effort will be made to support teams, the following measures are in place to minimize robot damage: * All matches until the knockout round will be played with 5 vs. 5 robots. Champions Cup rules still apply for Champions Cup matches. If both teams agree, they can play 7 vs. 7. We expect the knockout round, or at least the final bracket, to be played in 7 vs. 7 for Champions Cup teams. * The pickup rule is loosened. A team may now request a pickup at any time to prevent damage. The head referee can still decline the request if it interferes with play and does not qualify under the regular rule. This flexibility aims to reduce damage, but the rule may be revised if abused. * Assistant referees may catch robots if this does not distract from their primary duties. * Although pushing rules have not changed, everyone, especially head referees, are encouraged to refresh their understanding, as many falls are caused by contact. ________________________________ 🎮 Match Format: Challenge Shield vs. Champions Cup RoboCup 2025 will follow a hybrid match format. When at least one Challenge Shield team is present, Challenge Shield rules apply. Otherwise, Champions Cup rules apply. Key differences for Challenge Shield include: * Team executing a Set Play is sent via the GameController. * The referee must wear red gloves. * All matches are played 5 vs. 5. ________________________________ 🧪 Open Research Challenge – Reminder Teams must submit a brief description of their planned contribution by July 1, 2025 to the Technical Committee (rc-spl-tc(a)lists.robocup.org). Multiple contributions per team are allowed. Each submission should include: * Objective: What the innovation is and why it's relevant. * Expected Impact: How it benefits SPL or improves existing systems. * Implementation Feasibility: Required resources and timeline. After the deadline, participation may still be allowed if the schedule permits. Slots will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. You should still submit your interest even after the deadline. ________________________________ 📊 Leaderboard Challenge – Reminder Teams should also send their intention to participate in one or more Leaderboard Challenges by July 1, 2025 to the Technical Committee (rc-spl-tc(a)lists.robocup.org). Please include the specific challenges you're targeting. As with the Open Research Challenge, late participation may be accepted if scheduling allows. ________________________________ 🏁 KICKin-Rollin Challenge – Optional Pre-Registration This challenge does not require advance registration, but if you express interest before the competition, it will help us plan appropriately. A registration deadline will be announced during the event. ________________________________ 📜 Pre-Qualification Rules for RoboCup 2026 The following pre-qualification criteria will apply for RoboCup 2026: * Top three teams from the main competition (or four, if the top three include a Challenge Shield team) * Highest-ranked Challenge Shield team if not already qualified * Highest-ranked team not already qualified based on combined results from the Open Research and KICKin-Rollin Challenges ________________________________ ⚽ Extra Balls – Request from LOC The local organizing committee (LOC) was unable to acquire official SPL balls in time. Therefore, we kindly ask teams to bring extra balls from their inventory to serve as official game balls. Please inform the OC if you can contribute at rc-spl-oc(a)lists.robocup.org ________________________________ If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us. We’re looking forward to seeing your robots on the field in Salvador! The RoboCup SPL Technical Committee & Organizing Committee

1 0

BHumanCode Usage WisTex United
by Adam Labiosa 19 Jun '25

19 Jun '25

Hello all, I’m writing to announce the use of the BHumanCodeRelease (2023) version for the WisTex United team. We consider our codebase to be derived software as we use the BHuman motion control, localization, perception and communication modules. The specific contribution of our work (taken from our SPL 2025 application) is as follows: Our team codebase for the 2025 competition is based upon the \href{https://github.com/bhuman/BHumanCodeRelease/releases/tag/coderelease2023}{BHuman 2023 code release }. As described below, our primary contribution has been to replace the high level behaviors written by BHuman with new, learned behaviors trained with deep reinforcement learning. As discussed below, we believe these changes to be transformative in nature. Thus, as of now, our robots use the perception, state-estimation, low-level motion control and communication modules provided by BHuman. We thank BHuman for making their full software stack available. Additionally, we used the open source library \textbf{\href{https://github.com/DLR-RM/stable-baselines3}{stable-baselines3}} to train our policies, using proximal policy optimization\cite{https://doi.org/10.48550/arxiv.1707.06347}\cite{stable-ba…. We also note our additions this year are improvements in learned cooperation which substantially changes our code but generally leave the BHuman modules unchanged from their 2023 version. We also will once again release our updated code before the end of the year. Adam

1 0

RedbackBots code announcement
by Timothy Wiley 13 Jun '25

13 Jun '25

Hello SPL Teams, RedbackBots would like to announce the integration of the following contributions from SPL teams as part of our codebase for 2025: * NAO Devils' whistle detection (2024) * Updated to B-Human's vision components (2024) excluding ball detection We thank these teams for their continued and extensive contributions to the Soccer SPL community and look forward to catching up with everyone at competition. Timothy Wiley, on behalf of the RedbackBots team. Dr. Timothy Wiley | Lecturer, School of Computing Technologies | RMIT University Building 14, Level 11 (City Campus) | Homepage<https://timothy-wiley.github.io> | RAIsE Hub | AI Innovation Lab<http://rmit.edu.au/ailab> Executive Committee | RoboCup Soccer Standard Platform League (SPL) SPL Website<https://spl.robocup.org> | RoboCup Federation<https://www.robocup.org>

1 0

🏆 SPL RoboCup 2025 – Updates & Meeting Announcements
by Caron, Benjamin 05 Jun '25

05 Jun '25

Dear SPL Teams, RoboCup 2025 is approaching quickly, and the SPL Technical Committee would like to share a few important updates and reminders: 🤖 SPL-Humanoid Challenge Postponed Due to limited participation from Humanoid League teams, the SPL-Humanoid Challenge “Pass Masters: Bridging the Leagues” has been postponed to 2026. We plan to revisit this initiative at RoboCup and explore ways to increase engagement across leagues. 🛠️ Final Ramp Design Announced The final version of the ramp will follow the RedbackBots design. Teams should expect one extension to be used by default. A second extension may be added at the Technical Committee’s discretion during the competition to compensate for exceptional circumstances, such as unexpectedly high field friction. 🔗 More details and documentation are available here: https://github.com/rmit-computing-technologies/redbackbots-spl-ballramp 🎮 GameController Compatibility Teams are expected to ensure their robots function properly with the latest version of the GameController. 🔗 Download the GameController here: https://github.com/RoboCup-SPL/GameController3 🔧 On-Site Robot Repairs Unfortunately, Aldebaran has confirmed they will not provide a NAO clinic at RoboCup 2025. The competition will proceed as planned, but this may lead to rule adjustments to reduce the risk of robot damage. We are still in discussions with Aldebaran to determine whether limited on-site repairs may be possible. In parallel, the trustees are exploring alternatives such as providing a small pool of spare robots and basic parts to enable self-repairs if needed. The Team Leader Meeting on June 14 (11:00 UTC) will include time to discuss this situation. 🧠 Team Leader Meeting 📅 14 June 2025 – 11:00 UTC 📍 SPL Discord – #referee-meeting channel Agenda: * The current situation with Aldebaran and its impact on the league * Discussion on the next robot platform * Open discussion & updates ⚖️ Referee Meeting 📅 21 June 2025 – 11:00 UTC 📍 SPL Discord – #referee-meeting channel Agenda: * Quick overview of the 2025 rules and key changes from last year * Highlighting the “unpenalize” testing mode * Referee needs and delegation opportunities 🔍 The final version of the rules will be published shortly after this meeting. ________________________________ Thank you, SPL Technical Committee

1 0

Save the Date: RoHOW 2025 - November 28–30
by HULKs TUHH 23 Apr '25

23 Apr '25

*Dear RoboCup Teams and Robotics Enthusiasts,* We’re excited to announce that the *12th Robotic Hamburg Open Workshop (RoHOW)* will take place *from November 28 to November 30, 2025* at the *Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH)*! Hosted by the *HULKs*, TUHH’s humanoid robot soccer team, RoHOW is a unique networking and educational event tailored for RoboCup teams and researchers in the field of humanoid robotics. The workshop offers an open platform to exchange insights, share advancements, and dive into in-depth discussions—especially in the context of robot soccer. Our agile and participant-driven program will once again follow the *Open Space Conference* format, allowing for maximum flexibility to match your interests. Expect engaging talks and workshops on topics such as computer vision, locomotion, deep learning, league development, and more. Industry partners and sponsors will also be present to showcase their latest innovations in robotics. 📍 *Save the Date:* 🗓️ *November 28–30, 2025* 📍 *TUHH, Hamburg* 📝 To help us make this year’s event even better, we’d love your feedback on last year’s RoHOW — you can share your thoughts here: https://forms.gle/uLT9UhoV8AhXVvnx9 💸 A *participation fee* will likely apply again this year. The exact amount is yet to be determined. 📬 A separate email with the *registration deadline* and further details will follow soon! We’re looking forward to seeing many of you again and welcoming new faces to RoHOW 2025. Mark your calendars and stay tuned! Best regards, *The HULKs Team* Hamburg University of Technology

1 0

🌍🤖 SPL x Humanoid – Common Challenge Discussion 🤖🌍 - May 3rd - 11:00 UTC
by Caron, Benjamin 22 Apr '25

22 Apr '25

Dear Teams, You're invited to a global community meeting on May 3rd at 11:00 UTC, bringing together teams from the Standard Platform League (SPL) and the Humanoid League (HL) to discuss and establish a common foundation for the joint challenge at RoboCup 2025. 📍 Location: Global RoboCup Discord in "General" voice channel 💬 Join here: https://discord.gg/dcFgqFTeCy 🕒 Time zone help: Time zone converter<https://www.worldtimebuddy.com/?qm=1&lid=100,6077243,2950159,3169070,215817…> ________________________________ 🗓️ Discussion Topics * Sharing of image datasets * Cross-league robot coordination for passing * Use of visual gestures for communication * Any other suggestions from participants ________________________________ This meeting is intended to be community-driven, with minimal involvement from the committees. Any outcomes from the discussion will be considered optional agreements, not official rule changes, and it's up to each team to adopt them voluntarily. 📝 Meeting notes will be made publicly available at: https://spl.robocup.org/downloads/ Looking forward to your participation and collaboration! Best regards, The SPL and HL Committees

1 0

RoboCup SPL Newsletter No. 3 2025 - New Challenge and rules updates
by Caron, Benjamin 01 Mar '25

01 Mar '25

Dear SPL Teams, New Challenge - Pass-Masters-Bridging-the-Leagues We are excited to introduce a new challenge this year in collaboration with the Humanoid League! The goal of Pass-Masters is to enable ball passing between a NAO and a Humanoid robot, marking a first step toward inter-league collaboration. For full details, refer to the challenge presentation here<https://spl.robocup.org/wp-content/uploads/Pass-Masters-Bridging-the-League…>. Challenge Update - KICKin-Rollin We have made minor clarifications that do not change the core concept of the challenge. However, we strongly encourage teams to review the updated version, particularly the section on challenge procedures. Ramp Proposal – Deadline Extension The deadline to submit a ramp design is being extended until after the German Open to allow for discussion and potential testing there. There is currently only one proposed ramp design. Meanwhile, any teams who have already tried out that ramp are encouraged to submit any relevant feedback on the following form: https://forms.gle/i4svZeQh4tWD9JnH9 Rulebook - Drop Ball Rule We have made small adjustments to better align with the rule’s intent. The rules now acknowledge that a drop ball does not always require the robots to restart from the sideline, and there are situations, such as Global Game Stuck, where they will resume play from their current positions using a standard Set as they did last year. Best regards, RoboCup SPL TC

1 0

Naova code usage for German Open 2025
by Club Naova 06 Feb '25

06 Feb '25

Dear SPL Teams, In accordance with the terms and conditions of the B-Human code release's license, Naova announces the use of the following B-Human modules for the German Open 2025. - Ball perceptor from 2021 - Referee gesture detection from 2024 We would like to thank the B-Human Team for sharing their code and acknowledge their contribution to the RoboCup SPL. [signature_914140835]Olivier St-Pierre | Étudiant en génie logiciel Capitaine du club scientifique Naova École de technologie supérieure | 1100, rue Notre-Dame Ouest Montréal (Qc) Canada | H3C1K3 Tél. : 438-226-6639| Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/clubnaova/> | Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/naorobotique/> | Site Web<https://www.clubnaova.ca/>

1 0