A Japanese two-legged robot is warming up to take part in the 2002 World
Cup鈥攖he robot version, that is. Like the official World Cup, the 鈥淩oboCup鈥�
attracts entrants from across the globe.
The Japanese contestant, built by Honda Motors, will be the first to emulate
human movement. Unveiled last year, Honda鈥檚 machine can walk on two legs and
climb an incline. Its programmers have taught it how to dribble a ball and hope
to improve its technique in time for the 2002 RoboCup in Japan. 鈥淩ight now it鈥檚
in training,鈥� says a Honda spokesman.