Artemis, a humanoid soccer playing robot, is ready to enter the field

Using state-of-the-art technology, Artemis, short for “Advanced Robotic Technology for Enhanced Mobility and Improved Stability”, can maintain its balance against strong blows and pushes, withstand objects thrown into he is also able to run. But what sets Artemis apart from all that is his ability to kick a ball.

“If your robot can’t even play a football game, how could you use these robots for more important things like saving people’s lives?” said Dennis Hong, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering and director of the Laboratory of Robotics and Mechanisms (RoMeLa) from UCLA, which developed ARTEMIS, cited by Reuters.

Technologies used for soccer-playing robots are also being used for other applications, such as firefighting and disaster relief, Hong said.

Although Artemis may not be present at the next FIFA World Cup, Hong’s team will reveal all of his soccer skills at the RoboCup in Bordeaux, France, in July.

The robot’s main innovation is that engineers custom-designed its actuators – devices that generate movement from energy – to behave like biological muscles. They are elastic and force-controlled, rather than the rigid, position-controlled actuators that most robots have.

ARTEMIS actuators are also unique in that they are electrically operated rather than hydraulically controlled. This means they are quieter and run more efficiently, while also being cleaner, as hydraulic systems are notorious for leaking fluids.

RoMeLa student Justin Quan said his personal goal is to design robots that improve people’s lives.

“To see these robots helping to take robot technology to the next level is really satisfying, because you’re like, oh, the dream, it’s getting closer,” he said.