On Standardization in the RoboCup Soccer Humanoid Leagues

From 2008 on, the RoboCup competitions are going to host four distinct humanoid robot soccer leagues: the Standard Platform League (using the Nao robot of Aldebaran Robotics), the KidSize League (custom robots smaller than 60cm), the 3D Soccer Simulation League, and the TeenSize League (custom robots larger than 100cm). Currently, each of these leagues defines their own rule framework and research agenda, and standards are lacking that would facilitate collaborations across the individual leagues. As a consequence, solutions from one league are difficult to compare, knowledge is not easily transferred, and significant amounts of work are duplicated. This binds resources and slows down the technological and scientific progress. We therefore propose common control interfaces, and a common simulation platform across these humanoid robot soccer leagues. We discuss opportunities and difficulties for such a standardization process for the different leagues, and suggest candidates for solutions. We believe that by implementing these standards successful collaborations will be facilitated, and the overall progress towards the ultimate goal of the RoboCup project accelerated.