A Different Type of World Cup? Robots Expected to Play Humans in Soccer by 2050

It's no surprise to me that groups of researchers get together to play robot soccer. I'm not even fazed by the fact that they hold a "RoboCup" every year.

But what does surprise me is the fact that RoboCup researchers expect robots to be playing human soccer players--and winning!--by 2050.

Now, no offense to those adorable robots, but their futbol action can't compare to this week's enthralling women's World Cup games. So, when the first robot-versus-human game happens, my money is going on the humans.

Read more about the project at the RoboCup 2011 website.

Japan Promises 3-D Ultra-realistic Games in Bid for 2022 World Cup

In their bid to host the 2022 World Cup, Japan promises to offer live 3-D telecasts of the matches. Even more impressive, they plan on creating technology that would project 3-D holograms of the games onto empty stadium fields.

The "Universal Fan Fest" project would cost 550 billion yen ($6 billion).
Two hundred high-definition cameras would capture 360 degrees of play and transmit the action as 3-D images. Microphones would record all sounds, including the ball being kicked and the referee's whistle, to create an ultra-realistic digital version.

The system would be powered in part from electricity generated by spectators stamping their feet, as well as from solar panels on the roof of the stadium.