This is one thing that I have always been interested in (robotics).
The new robot uses watch DC motors and watch batteries. It is controlled be infrared signals in the range of frequency of the ordinary remote controls. It is very small, with height of approximately 1.8cm.
Citizen president Makoto Umehara says he hopes Eco-Be! will prove useful in the development of smaller and lighter weight robots. The company will conduct further research with Osaka University to improve the robot’s performance.
They will make an appearance at RoboCup 2006 in Germany this June at the Robocup.
http://www.robocup2006.org/start
The concept of soccer-playing robots was first introduced in 1993. Following a two-year feasibility study in August 1995, an announcement was made for the introduction of the first international conferences and football games. In July 1997, the first official conference and games were held in Nagoya, Japan.