A group of U of A computer science students has created robots that could one day colonize Mars – but first they are taking them to a Seattle competition to play soccer. The Robocup competition, sponsored by international computer researchers, will be attended by competitors from Japan, England, the United States, Germany, Iran and Australia. This is the first time Canada is taking part in the computerized soccer event. The five University of Alberta soccer-playing robots – one goalie and a pair of defence and forward players – have their own brains and operate autonomously. The competition runs from Aug. 1 to 10.