Kiwi kids re-ignite robot passion

Kiwi kids re-ignite robot passion

Toshiba continues its support with RoboCup Junior to help children learn, create and collaborate

4 August 2009, AUCKLAND – Following the huge success of last year’s Robocup Junior New Zealand, Toshiba Information Systems Division (ISD) will be continuing its sponsorship of the competition, helping to unveil the next generation of science and technology experts.  Robocup Junior helps educate school students about the mechanics of robotic technology, and how it can be applied in everyday life and work. The competition is now in its sixth year in New Zealand.

As well as sponsoring the nationwide competition, Toshiba will support schools throughout New Zealand with a strong focus on new regions Wellington and Hawkes Bay. Toshiba will also provide ongoing technical support, training[1] and volunteer time to both teachers and students.  

Students can enter any of the following three categories:

Robotic Dance – students motorise their robots to dance to music whilst narrating a story
Robotic Rescue – the robots undertake a series of obstacles, mirroring real life use of robots that rescue people from life-threatening situations
Robotic Soccer – students design and program two robots to compete against an opposing pair of robots by kicking an infra-red transmitting ball into their designated goal
 

In each category, students are tasked with combining their co-operative problem solving skills with knowledge gained around robotics and science to find real, creative solutions.

Samuel Mence was the winner of last year’s ‘National Dance’ competition and will be entering again this year, “The best part of Robocup Junior is the challenge of designing and constructing your own robot, all culminating in the day of competition, which can be make or break! The competition presents a challenge not only in construction and programming, but also in time management, all of which are valuable skills for the real world.”

 ere will be six regional-level competitions, culminating in a national final on September 5th in Auckland. The initial regional-based competitions will take place in Dunedin on August 8th, Christchurch on August 9th, Hawkes Bay on 15th August, Wanganui on August 22nd and finally Wellington on August 23rd. The Auckland regional competition will be held on September 5th, the same day as the national finals.

“After the success of last year’s event, we saw first hand the passion students had for robotic technology, as well the amazing skills they developed along the way,” said Gary Wicks, New Zealand Country Manager, Toshiba ISD. “Robocup Junior really does combine the elements of having fun amongst your classmates, whilst giving students skills they can use outside the classroom, as they start to enter the workforce,” Wicks concluded.

“RoboCup Junior provides students with an environment to engage together and solve problems through the use of science and technology,” said Harold Russ, RoboCup, New Zealand. “Toshiba’s strong heritage in both innovation and education helps us to enable that vision for the students. Its sponsorship support goes a long way to developing creative, imaginative students who are capable of working together to find real solutions to challenging problems.” 

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