Israel is sending its first delegation to compete in the RoboCup 2009 soccer tournament this week in Graz, Austria. The games promote research and development in the fields of robotics and artificial intelligence. Each of the 25 participating teams field three autonomous robots players - two players and a goalie - which measure half a meter high. To ensure parity, the delegations use identical robots from one manufacturer, but get to customize their robots' software.

"Maybe people don't think of Israel when they think of robotics," said Gal Kaminka, the head of the Israeli team and an associate professor at Bar-Ilan University's Department of Computer Science. "But maybe they should." He said that the use of soccer and athletic activities advances the cause of humanoid robotics.