Building robots

Siham Al Najami reports on the UAE National Robotics Olympiad held recently

Putting technology to good use, Edutech Middle East, provider of learning and knowledge solutions, organised a UAE National Robotics Olympiad in the region to pave the way for pupils from various schools to meet on a common platform.

Students had to construct a robot using Lego bricks.

The event was the first of its kind in the region and the UAE was the only country in the Gulf invited to participate in the World Robotics Olympiad (WRO), "which is a testament to the country's increasing reputation as a knowledge hub and centre of excellence for technical expertise," said A. Karim, director of Edutech.

The competition that followed a "City Environment" theme was held at Dubai Men's College. Ten teams participated, illustrating their mechanical and technical skills to a panel of judges.

According to Vijayachitra Jayabalan, assistant manager of marketing services at Edutech, the constructed robot "is required to trace a marked track line on the playing field, cross intersections, arrive at specified positions and grab a trash can and return, while always following traffic instructions by colour patches."

Each team, she said, is composed of three student members and an instructor. And participants should be high school students aged 16-18 years from any public or private school.

Our Own High School Al Warqaa was the winning team and are qualified to participate in an all-expenses-paid trip to China to take part in the WRO that will be held on November 17 and 18.