Russia Launches Drone Soccer Program to Train the Next Generation of AI Engineers
A new initiative from Moscow’s National Research Nuclear University (MEPhI) combines artificial intelligence, robotics, and competitive sports to prepare students for the future of high-tech engineering.
The Artificial Intelligence Research Center at MEPhI has opened recruitment for a new drone soccer team — a program that merges athletic competition with cutting-edge technology. The initiative aims to teach students how to design, build, and control unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) while working as part of a coordinated team.
Merging Sportsmanship and Engineering
Participants will receive access to a dedicated training area and a full suite of drone equipment. The curriculum combines theory with practical experience, covering flight control, technical maintenance, and safety protocols for operating UAV systems. Students will gain hands-on skills in robotics, automation, and system integration — all essential for the growing global drone industry.
Drone soccer, which has gained popularity across Asia and Europe, challenges players to control drones within enclosed arenas, scoring goals while maintaining flight stability and precision. For students, it’s both a test of reflexes and an engineering challenge, encouraging them to tweak flight dynamics, optimize propulsion systems, and refine control algorithms.
Shaping a New Generation of Specialists
The MEPhI initiative reflects a broader national trend in Russia: integrating artificial intelligence, robotics, and applied science into education through gamified learning. By blending technical and athletic disciplines, the program helps shape a new generation of IT professionals capable of merging AI systems with real-world mechanical control.
As MEPhI researchers note, such projects don’t just prepare drone operators — they train systems engineers, programmers, and innovators who understand how to bring artificial intelligence into motion.
