Several teams have battled it out to design and build working robots in a Macquarie University-hosted robotics competition.
According to a recent press release, students from all over Australia competed with students from 10 countries at Sydney’s Olympic Park Quaycentre.
The Goal of the Game
It aims to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.
To add, the goal is to bring the excitement of sporting events to science and technology as the robots battle it out for success.
The competition also aspires to open doors for the next generation of innovators in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The competition is more than just about establishing a winning team. Instead, it aims to be a fun way for students to involve themselves in real world technologies.
The students, moreover, may also have continued access to their STEM interests through an entry program to university, or an internship or networking opportunity with one of the sponsors.
The University is proud to be involved in creating a pathway for the next generation of STEM education and careers.
The competition is all about team work and will inspire confidence and ambition in participating students, all while they experience a great time building robots.
The Mechanics of the Game
The competition has tasked the students to design, build and program large robots.
The focus of the competition for this year, its 5th run, was on the outer limits of the universe in DESTINATION: DEEP SPACE.
The robots of each team are expected to work in an alliance on a remote planet.
While there, the robots must collect enough cargo pods to take with them on their spaceship before lift-off.
The six weeks prior to the event had the students working with mentors in designing their robots. Specifications include a maximum height of up to six feet tall for the robots.
Additionally, the robots should use a kit of parts and follow a standard set of rules.
Once complete, the young inventors will test their robots to measure effectiveness. Testing will also cover the power of collaboration and determination of the students.
The teams will be judged on criteria such as design excellence, competitive play and sportsmanship.
The Brain behind the Game
The organisation responsible for the competition was set up at the University’s North Ryde campus, Sydney in 2010.
Since then, it has grown to engage hundreds of teams from around Australia across its suite of robotics events.
The not-for-profit organisation hosts the competition annually for students, with different contests corresponding to various grade levels.
They even have camps scheduled during school holidays.
The competition’s inaugural run was in 2014 and considered to be the largest student robotics competition in the Asia Pacific.