A group of robots competed on the pitch during the 2019 RoboCup on Thursday. The event is the world's largest annual robotics competition. It's being held in Sydney, Australia, for the first time. /VCG Photo

Competitors from 40 countries are participating in the event, which runs from July 2-8, aiming to promote the research and development of robotics and artificial intelligence. /VCG Photo

Robots of all shapes and sizes face off in a variety of competitions, including soccer, search-and-rescue missions, manufacturing and logistics as well as home assistance challenges. /VCG Photo

The dream of the RoboCup states: "By the middle of the 21st century, a team of fully autonomous humanoid robot soccer players shall win a soccer game, complying with the official rules of FIFA, against the winner of the most recent World Cup." /VCG Photo