The University of Newcastle's NUManoids are the first world champions of the new Standard Platform League at the 2008 RoboCup competition.

The NUManoids beat a combined American team from Carnegie Mellon University and Georgia Tech in a penalty shootout to take out the final.

The University of Newcastle teamed up with the National University of Ireland to form the NUManoids and program the recently released Aldebaran Nao robot.

The Standard Platform League replaced the Four-Legged League, in which the University of Newcastle reached international fame for its success with the soccer playing robotic dogs.

Only the 16 most experienced teams from around the world were invited to compete in the new league. Newcastle was one of only two Australian teams.

In the new Standard Platform League, the soccer game is played in 10 minute halves. Each team has three robots on the field including the goalkeeper. A substitute is available on the sidelines in case of injury.

The ultimate aim of the NUManoids is to develop and program robots that can support humans with routine, as well as dangerous and expert tasks.

RoboCup 2008 was held in China from 14 - 20 July 2008. Members of the successful NUManoids team are expected back in Australia later this week.