The following year in 2000, the first international RoboCup Junior Educational competition was held in Melbourne, Australia.
[5] Queen Elizabeth II was also impressed in 2002 on a trip to Australia, pointing out the complexity of what students were accomplishing.
The robots detect the infrared-emitting ball and use this as well as other specialised sensors, such as sonars, compasses and cameras to locate themselves and the opposition's goal.
[30] This change was aimed at making the game more realistic by creating greater reliance on the goal location and walls rather than the ground.
When RoboCup Junior was first formed, almost all teams used Lego Mindstorms construction kits to build their robots.
Custom printed circuit boards, actuator devices (for kicking), cameras and advanced micro controllers have become common place at the international competition.
Subsequently, this was changed to a number of white tiles with black lines marked on them, which the robot had to follow.
This is more difficult than the regular Australian/New Zealand Rescue challenge because the participants must construct a device to secure the object and lift it onto the platform.
The aim of the competition is to create a two-minute dance performance choreographed to music; with particular attention going to construction and programming.