It will return this year to compete in the same two leagues as RoMeLa.

FORBES: Why Do Robots Play Soccer?

Hong, who oversees a robot-focused research lab named RoMeLa, has attended RoboCup since 2007.

FORBES: Why Do Robots Play Soccer?

RoMeLa researchers envision CHARLI one day roaming the VT campus making friends with students and visitors.

ENGADGET: Robotic hand controlled by compressed air grasps the concept of delicacy

This time, RoMeLa is determined to bring home a trophy from the contest, which will be held in Istanbul in early July.

FORBES: Why Do Robots Play Soccer?

RAPHaEL -- which is part of a larger RoMeLa robot project named CHARLI -- has already won several awards, including grabbing first prize at the 2008-2009 Compressed Air and Gas Institute Innovation Award Contest.

ENGADGET: Robotic hand controlled by compressed air grasps the concept of delicacy

The Robotics and Mechanisms Laboratory (AKA the RoMeLa Project) at the College of Engineering at Virginia Tech has designed and built a prototype robotic hand that is controlled and operated by compressed air.

ENGADGET: Robotic hand controlled by compressed air grasps the concept of delicacy