For several years now, under the leadership of Olivier Ly, the Bordeaux humanoid-size soccer team has been world champion. Developed at the IUT of Bordeaux, the University of Bordeaux, and the fablab of Bordeaux INP, the robots have shown increasing agility and “intelligence” over the years.
Thanks to these successive victories, Bordeaux won the organization of the Robocup 2023 in Bordeaux. It is a major event in robotics, truly impressive in scale and appealing to all audiences (all ages, all skills). 2500 competitors, 3000 robots, 43 countries!
Alongside the Robocup this year, we organized various events, such as the meeting between R3IA and R3Mob, or the NAIA.R days (AI in Nouvelle Aquitaine). A lot of preparation for these two events in which I was involved, but so little compared to the (truly) monstrous organization of the event itself. The convention center was full, full, full!
I was able to attend the final victory of Olivier Ly’s soccer team (congratulations again!) but also various humanoids trying to move on more or less challenging terrains. These were incredible days, animated from all sides, full of enthusiasts of all ages and from all countries.
It was the first time the Robocup was held in France. What a great event for all of AI and what a pleasure to host it in Nouvelle Aquitaine!