Robotics Challenge Inspires Global Unity

In October, aspiring engineers from 191 countries gathered in Panama City to compete in FIRST Global Robotics Challenge. The annual competition aims to promote problem solving, collaboration and inspiring the next generation of engineers through three challenges focusing on a different theme each year. Teams of students aged 14 to 18 from around the world compete in the three-day event while remotely controlling their robots to complete tasks. This year's theme was “Eco-Balance”, emphasizing the importance ecosystem conservation and protection of vulnerable species.

Turn Robotics To sports

At the event, each team played a series of ranking matches. Matches consisted of multiple simultaneous goals lasting two minutes and 30 seconds. The first students helped their robots collect “biodiversity units” (colorful balls) and deliver them to people. The robots then removed the “barriers” (large gray balls) from the containers and discarded them in a designated location. Team members then threw biodiversity units into the already cleared containers to score points. At the end of the match, each robot was tasked with climbing a 1.5 meter long rope. The team with the most points won the match.

To encourage cooperation, each match had two groups, consisting of three separate teams and their robots, competing to win. Each team controlled its own robot, but had to work with other robots in the group to complete tasks. If all six robots managed to climb the rope at the end of the match, each team's points were multiplied by 1.5.

The top 24 teams were divided into six “alliances” of four separate teams each to compete in the playoffs. The alliance with the most points was declared the winner. This year's winners were teams from Cameroon, MexicoPanama and Venezuela. Each student received a gold medal.

At first glance, it was difficult to tell that this was a competition. When all six robots successfully climbed the rope at the end of the match, students from all teams hugged each other, applauded and cheered.

“It's not about winning or losing, it's about learning from others,” says Clyde Snyders, a member South African team. His opinion was heard throughout the event.

Participation in the competition

Before the main event, countries around the world hold qualifying events where thousands of students show off their robotics skills for a chance to make it to the final competition. Each country selects its team differently. Some choose the team with the most points to compete, while others choose students from different teams to create a new one.

Even after qualifying, some students find it difficult to physically enter the competition. This year Team Jamaica ran into problems after Hurricane Melissa amazed the country on October 28, the day before the competition began. It was the strongest storm to ever hit Jamaica, killing 32 people and costing billions of dollars to repair infrastructure. Due to the damage, the Jamaican team faced multiple flight cancellations and other travel delays. They almost didn't make it, but the organizers of FIRST Global paid for their trip. The students arrived on the second day just in time to compete in enough matches to avoid disqualification.

The Jamaican team was late due to Hurricane Melissa, but remained positive. Kohava Mendelssohn

“We're so happy to be here,” says Joel Wright, team captain. “To be able to do new activities, to compete and to be able to show off our hard work.” The Jamaican team won the bronze medal.

Working together to fix and improve robots

Throughout the competition, it was common to see students from different teams coming together, solving problems, sharing tips, and learning together.

Students continually repaired their robots and added new features to the event's robotic hospital. There, teams could request spare parts, receive help from volunteers, and gain access to the tools they needed.

It's challenging but rewarding, says a volunteer at a robotic hospital. Janet Capitoelectrical engineer and operations manager at Malawi Robotics Foundation in Blantyre. While still a student, she participated in the FIRST Global Challenge.

“[The volunteers] you get to see different perspectives and understand how people think differently,” she says. “It’s fun to watch students solve problems on their own,” she adds.

There were many stressful situations in the hospital, especially on the first day of the competition. The Ecuadorian team's robot was delayed on the way. So, using parts from the robotic hospital, the students built a new robot to compete with.

Members of the Tanzanian team were diligently repairing their robot, which was having problems with the mechanism that allows it to climb a rope.

Collaboration has played a key role in the hospital. When the South African team's robot had mechanical problems, the students didn't fix them alone—several teams, including Venezuela, Slovenia and Indiacame to the rescue.

“It was really inspiring and a huge effort to bring together teams from over 190 countries to collaborate,” says Joseph Weidirector IEEE Region 6who was present at the event.

The Importance of Mentoring Future Engineers

Behind each team were mentors and coaches who provided advice and experience to the students. Many of them were former members who are investing in training the next generation of engineers.

But robots are designed and assembled by students, he says Rob Haakementor for Team USA. He said he tried to stay out of the robot's development: “So if you ask me to turn on the robot, I don't even know how to do it.”

Haake is the director of operations for a window and door company. Weiland, Inc.., in Norfolk, Nebraska. His passion is teaching children the skills needed to create things. It's important to teach students to think critically and solve problems while developing technical skills, he said, because these students are future technology leaders.

One of the main problems he sees is the lack of mentors on the team. If you're an engineer, he says, “the best way to help is [FIRST Global] Grow is about calling your local schools and asking if they have a robotics team, and if not, how you can help create one.

“The answer could be a monetary donation or, more importantly, your time,” he says. The students you mentor could one day represent their country at FIRST Robotics Trial.