China Launched The World's First "Humanoid Robotic Soccer League" and MLS Should Be Very Worried
AP News - While China’s men’s soccer team hasn’t generated much excitement in recent years, humanoid robot teams have won over fans in Beijing based more on the AI technology involved than any athletic prowess shown.
Four teams of humanoid robots faced off in fully autonomous 3-on-3 soccer matches powered entirely by artificial intelligence on Saturday night in China’s capital in what was touted as a first in China and a preview for the upcoming World Humanoid Robot Games, set to take place in Beijing.
According to the organizers, a key aspect of the match was that all the participating robots operated fully autonomously using AI-driven strategies without any human intervention or supervision.
Equipped with advanced visual sensors, the robots were able to identify the ball and navigate the field with agility
They were also designed to stand up on their own after falling. However, during the match several still had to be carried off the field on stretchers by staff, adding to the realism of the experience.
No, this isn’t a Black Mirror episode or a deleted scene from I, Robot, this is the "World Humanoid Robot Games", where the players don’t get tired, don’t complain about contracts, and allegedly can’t injure their ACLs after celebrating a goal. This is the sports team owner's ultime wet dream come to life.
HOT SEAT= MLS.
I'm not sure who the fuck asked for this, but I do have to admit. The level of play? Shockingly familiar. If you squinted hard enough, you might’ve thought you were watching an MLS match.
Four teams of robots squared off in 3-on-3 cage matches fueled entirely by artificial intelligence. They were all equipped with "advanced visual sensors" to track the ball, and navigate the field. Except hese things glitched like crazy. And when one of them got knocked over (which happened a lot), they were programmed to stand up on their own. But they didn’t. And they had to be carried off on stretchers.
Round of applause for China though. They have successfully developed the first generation of robot soccer players that flop like Neymar. We’re mere weeks away from the AI learning how to grab its shin and roll around 100 times after light contact. It’s like they watched Champions League highlights and said, “Let’s teach them the dark arts early.”
The researchers behind this, who are from top Chinese universities, are calling it a “testing ground” for AI. They’re developing algorithms for formation strategy, ball-passing logic, and (probably) emotional meltdowns after being subbed off in the 70th minute. One scientist even floated the idea of robots eventually playing against humans.
I am so out on artificial intelligence, and robots it's not even funny. Every day you turn around there's a new video like this or article showing the robots doing something that us, the humans, have enjoyed or been paid to do for years and years. Yet for some reason, some moron, and/or money-hungry scumbag looking to cut labor costs and increase profits dreamt up a way to cut the human out of the equation. And everybody is not only celebrating this shit, but welcoming it with open arms. I feel like I'm taking crazy pills.
