[Trailblazer2165]

After watching the animation of the game again, it is illuminating to notice that the four human players stationed at the sides of the field serve no purpose at all, since the third human player of each alliance is the one who takes the ball from the pedestal and puts it into play (inbounding)! So there could very well be more to the game. The comment at rules G11 and G40 imply robot-human interaction of an unknown sort. Here's what they say:

Passing a BALL to a HUMAN PLAYER is within game play and not a violation of G11.
If not actively engaged with receiving or releasing a BALL, we strongly recommend that TEAMS stay fully behind the HUMAN PLAYER BARRIER during the MATCH. (G40)