Ready, Steady, (TIA)Go! PAL Robotics at RoboCup 2024

RoboCup 2024, the most renowned robotics competition, once again took the world of robotics by storm for the 27th time. It was a memorable event filled with innovation and teamwork, held in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, from July 17-21. This competition brought together talented teams from around the world to showcase their advancements in robotics. Among them were eight teams competing with our versatile TIAGo robots in the RoboCup @Home League.

Meet the Teams Competing with TIAGo Robots

We were thrilled to learn that nearly half the teams in the RoboCup @Home League chose to compete with our mobile manipulator TIAGo. We are proud to introduce the teams that brought many smiles to our faces:

Every team put in endless hours and effort to be able to take part in this year’s RoboCup competition, and for this, we applaud them!

RoboCup @Home League

In the RoboCup @Home League, teams were tasked with demonstrating their robots’ abilities in real-world scenarios that mimic everyday tasks. The primary challenges included:

  1. Carry My Luggage – Navigation task
  2. Receptionist – Speech task
  3. Storing groceries – Manipulation task
  4. Serving breakfast – Manipulation task
  5. GPSR – Navigation, speech, manipulation and vision task

PAL Robotics’ Commitment to Support

To show our appreciation, we sent a team of experts to RoboCup 2024 to provide on-site technical support, ensuring that the teams using TIAGo robots had the assistance they needed to achieve their desired goals. Our support included:

  • Technical Guidance: Our experts offered insights and advice on optimizing TIAGo’s performance for the competition’s challenges.
  • Troubleshooting: We assisted with real-time problem-solving to address any technical issues that arose during the event.
  • Customization Support: Our team helped the participants tailor the TIAGo platform to meet specific competition requirements, maximizing their chances of success.

We took the opportunity to ask our colleagues, David ter Kuile, Software Engineer, and Thomas Peyrucain, Robotics Engineer, about the RoboCup experience from their point of view. When asked about the atmosphere at the event, they said, “Most of the teams were really enthusiastic and cheerful and really enjoyed working with TIAGo.” We were interested to know what questions they received most, and Thomas mentioned, “Teams wanted to learn useful tips to better use the platform for navigation and customization of the hardware.” Lastly, David added that the overall experience at RoboCup was “a really nice experience attending the RoboCup and providing support to the teams. We are glad we could be of help during the competition and enable the teams to focus on the different tasks. Each team came up with smart solutions to tackle the different challenges that were part of the tasks. Their research and effort have brought the TIAGo platform a step further in assisting in home-like environments.”

Winning Teams

The hard work surely paid off, as two teams secured winning places in the @Home League:

  • 1st – SocRob@Home
  • 3rd – NimbRo@Home

We are happy to have witnessed everyone’s dedication, supported them when needed, and been a part of such a joyful moment.

Why TIAGo is the Perfect Platform for Robotics Competitions

TIAGo robots have proven to be exceptional platforms for robotics competitions, thanks to their unique features:

3 TIAGo robots by PAL Robotics working for their turn in the RoboCup 2024 competition

Versatility: TIAGo’s modular design allows it to perform a wide range of tasks, from object manipulation and navigation to human-robot interaction.

Advanced Mobility: Equipped with a robust navigation system, TIAGo excels in moving through complex environments, making it ideal for diverse applications.

Human-Robot Interaction: TIAGo’s advanced sensors and software enable it to understand and respond to human gestures, speech, and emotions effectively.

Customization: With an open-source software architecture, TIAGo offers extensive customization, allowing teams to tailor its capabilities to their specific needs.

Reliability: Built with high-quality materials, TIAGo is a reliable and durable robot that withstands rigorous use in various settings.

Inspiring Future Innovations

The achievements of the teams at RoboCup 2024 demonstrate the power of collaboration and innovation in robotics. Their success with TIAGo robots motivates us to continue pushing the boundaries of what is possible. At PAL Robotics, we are dedicated to creating and innovating solutions that empower the next generation of roboticists.

We congratulate all the teams on their excellent performances and look forward to supporting more groundbreaking endeavors in the future. Here’s to the spirit of innovation and the bright future of robotics!

Related articles
AI with a body
Read More

AI with a body

How is PAL collaborating in developing a responsible AI in European robotics? By Séverin Lemaignan, HRI Team Leader at PAL…
RFID in retail: method comparison
Read More

RFID in retail: why handhelds, antennas, drones and robots should work together

Inventory management has always been a challenge for retailers. Over the years, we at PAL Robotics have seen how the…
From Space to Robotics: Narcís’ Journey with PAL Robotics
Read More

From Space to Robotics: Narcís’ Journey with PAL Robotics

Meet Narcís Miguel Meet Narcís Miguel, the Head of Mobile Interaction at PAL Robotics, whose path to robotics is anything…