Turning Segways into soccer robots

Abstract

Purpose To adapt the segway RMP, a dynamically balancing robot base, to build robots capable of playing soccer autonomously. Design/methodology/approach Focuses on the electro‐mechanical mechanisms required to make the Segway RMP autonomous, sensitive, and able to control a football. Findings Finds that turning a Segway RMP into a soccer‐playing robot requires a combined approach to the mechanics, electronics and software control. Research implications Although software algorithms necessary for autonomous operation and infrastructure supplying logging and debugging facilities have been developed, the scenario of humans and robots playing soccer together has yet to be addressed. Practical implications Turning the model into a soccer playing robot demonstrates the technique of combining mechanics, electronics and software control. Originality/value Shows how the model as a base platform can be developed into a fully functional, autonomous, soccer‐playing robot.