Taipei, Nov. 17 (CNA) More than 800 students on 170 teams from around the world are participating in the 2007 World Robot Olympiad, an annual international robot competition for youth in which competing teams assemble robots to rally and ambulate.
The competition, which is being held in Taipei from Nov. 17-18, has been divided into two categories. In the regular category, the teams are required to assemble robots to solve a specific problem within an hour. The open category is a project-based, exhibition style competition in which teams present their robot designs.
The teams in both categories are divided into three age groups, namely elementary school students, junior high school students and senior high school students.
All the teams went into action Saturday on the floor of the National Taiwan University Gymnasium, with teachers, family members and friends watching in the stands.
The participants had to assemble their robots with LEGO plastic bricks and controllers, such as light, sound and temperature sensors. According to the rules, the robots must accomplish the assigned missions by themselves.
The topics for this year's competition categories were assigned by the Taiwan organizers who wanted to add a local flavor to the event. For example, the teams in the regular competition had to design robots that simulate the Mount Ali train's z-line switchback movement.
"Competitions like this help kids build their thinking skills, which is important for the future development of students who plan on entering engineering or related field, " said Kerry Bailey, an information technology consultant who works for the Abu Dhabi Education Council in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
The competition helps develop various skills of the participants, such as problem-solving and teamwork skills, Bailey said, adding that the event exposes students to an innovative environment from a very young age.
The World Robot Olympiad was established in 2004 by the WRO committee, which is comprised of experts from various universities around the world, with the purpose of promoting innovation and education.