Robotic soccer has been proposed as research challenge for collaborative autonomous robotic systems. Since 1997, there have been annual competitions in various leagues, ranging from fully simulated to anthropomorphic robots. In comparison to earlier research challenges like chess and Go, robotic soccer is real-time and challenges both artificial intelligence as well as robotics / mechatronics competence development.
In 2000, one of the first industrial Robocup teams was started from Philips CFT and has led to four teams currently active in the Eindhoven area.
Ton Peijnenburg holds a MSc in Electrical Engineering from TU/e. He has worked in mechatronics for high-end equipment for most of his career, starting in the well-known mechatronics department of Philips CFT. After designing linear motors and leading predevelopment of the first magnetic levitation stages for photolithography, he started a systems engineering group. During an expat assignment, he led the Philips US mechatronics group. Back in the Netherlands, he worked at FEI and joined VDL Enabling Technologies Group in 2010, where he currently leads the systems engineering activities. Since 2015, he has a part-time position as industrial research fellow at the High Tech Systems Center of TU/e.
Since late 1999, Ton has been involved in Robocup robotic soccer.