The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Young talent wires itself to technology

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Monday, Sep 29, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Young talent wires itself to technology

Correspondent

300 teams attend Indian Robot Olympiad

Participants were divided into four categories
Winners will participate in World Robot Olympiad

BANGALORE: Participants in a programme on integrated science, engineering, mechanics, electronics and programming skills displayed excellent acumen for robotics at the Southern Chapter of the Indian Robot Olympiad 2008 held here at Indus International School on Sunday. The third edition of the competition attracted 300 teams from all over India, and 40 teams were qualified to participate in the Southern Chapter, which was held for the first time in Bangalore.

Children demonstrated the capabilities of their robots, which were constructed using Lego components. They were divided into four categories viz., primary school (12 to 14 years), junior high (14 to 16 years) and senior high (16 to 18 years). Aneesh D. Nayak and Nilaksh Agarwal of the National Public School (NPS), Koramangala, won the first prize in the primary category, while there was a tie for the second place. The team of NPS comprising Veral Bhartia, Prathik Kanndinya and Ray Pramod Ramamurty, and Kabir Dhabolkar of The International School, Bangalore, won the second prize.

In the junior high category, Pranab R. Kanndinya and Kesri Krishna Anurag of NPS, Koramangala, won the first prize, while the team from Kodaikanal International School was placed second. The team from Lawrence School, Ooty, comprising Nikhil John, Raja Gautam and Venkata Trashanth won the first prize in the senior high category. There was a competition in the open category, which was theme-based (environment), and only two teams participated. However, the judges declared that the quality of participation was poor.

Gained popularity

Sudhanshu Sharma, Managing Director, Techtronics (India) Ltd., the organisers of the event, said the competition had gained popularity in the last couple of years. “Robotics is extremely exciting not only for children, but also for teachers.

We have received a tremendous response from schools across the country and next year we will have more teams.

We have robotics clubs in schools, and we aim to add value to education by introducing activity-oriented courses to ensure that it is on a par with international standards. The programme will be well integrated into the school curriculum at various levels,” Mr. Sharma said.

Venue

The winning teams in various categories will represent India at the World Robot Olympiad 2008, which will be held in Yokohama, Japan, from October 31 to November 2. At the international event, young school students from over 20 countries will come together to compete with their robots, designed, built and programmed to win predetermined challenges.

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