A War of Robots is imminent at UOWD Robotics Competition

The University’s 5th annual robotics competition will take place on 29 September at The Meydan Hotel, Dubai

Dubai, 15 September 2015: The countdown to one of the Middle East’s biggest annual technology competitions has begun in earnest as streams of school children, university students and technology enthusiasts have started to register for the University of Wollongong in Dubai (UOWD)’s 5th Annual Robotics Competition.

The event is set to be held as part of the Robotic Technology Exhibition (RTEX), the only dedicated robotics and automation event in the Gulf region, taking place at The Meydan Hotel, Dubai, from September 29 to 1 October 1, 2015.

UOWD’s Robotics Competition will take place on the first day of the exhibition (29 September) and will see teams of students from across the MENA region participate in an exciting range of challenges designed to test their technological prowess. Armed with robots made in advance of the competition’s commencement, younger competitors’ creations will take part in a robot parade, whilst Middle School and High School students will be put to the test with a traffic negotiation trial, an assessment of their robot’s ability to climb stairs, and a demanding game of pool. 

All teams, along with University students and automation enthusiasts, are welcome to participate in an ‘open competition’ category which allows participants to demonstrate their robot’s capabilities, design, robustness and complexity. School-aged participants will have the opportunity to win scholarships to join UOWD when they graduate from high school.

Commenting on the competition, Dr Farhad Oroumchian, Acting Dean of UOWD’s Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences said:  “UOWD first introduced the robotics competition in 2010 and it’s been a wonderful experience watching it grow. It was established to promote science and engineering among school students by giving them a chance to be creative, work in teams, and learn to implement their ideas using robotic kits. The competition also provides a platform for meeting other students from other cultures and school systems in the context of a friendly environment. Last year we welcomed over 80 teams from schools across the region and this year we hope to welcome even more. These young people are the scientists of the future and it’s a great environment in which to nurture such potential.”