Seagate Technology (Thailand) Limited, and Thai Robotics Society (TRS) have partnered to jointly host the national contest to select the best unmanned bicycle robot in the 2nd Annual BicyRobo Thailand Championship.
The three partners announced details of the event a national-level press conference at AIT on July 21. The contest for university students aims to develop engineering skills in robotics and automation systems in Thailand, officials said.
BicyRobo Thailand Championship is a competition to build a bicycle robot which is able to balance itself and able to navigate along a predefined path. The team that produces the bicycle robot which is able to run the longest and fastest autonomously will be the winner. Seagate has provided 1.7 million baht sponsorship for the contest and several prizes for winning teams. The 2nd Annual contest will be hosted by the Bangkok Racing Circuit on Srinakarin Road, in early 2012.
Expressing delight with AIT’s role in the annual event, Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, AIT Vice President for Resource Development, said AIT’s Mechatronics field of study, which has been operating for over 10 years, has been cooperating with universities in Thailand and in other countries to produce graduates and develop robotics technology and automated systems for Thailand and the Asian region. “The 2nd BicyRobo Thailand Championship is a good example the excellent academic cooperation between AIT, universities in Thailand, and the private sector,” he said.
Prof. Worsak added that the competition would directly benefit Thai students who would receive professional-level training at AIT on August 11. He said the organizers hoped that the technology derived from the competition could have direct and indirect uses for the country in the near future.
“Thailand’s 2nd annual BicyRobo Championship aims at inspiring youngsters in Thailand to sharpen their skills in robotic technology, automation and control engineering. The contest also develops innovative and unique robotic technologies that will benefit both the Thai industrial and education sectors as well as the country’s overall development,” Dr. Thavida Maneewan, president of the Thai Robotics Society (TRS) said.
Ms. Sirirat Euaypadung, Teparuk plant manager, Seagate Technology (Thailand) Limited said: “Seagate is excited to sponsor the 2nd Annual BicyRobo Thailand Championship. Contestants can take advantage of this tremendous opportunity to enhance their science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) skills. In addition to technology skills learned through the hands-on experience of building, designing and programming the unmanned bicycle robots, these university students have an opportunity to work with robotic experts, academics and industrialists, and to enhance their skills, such as critical thinking, team building and project management.”
“As the contest continues to gain momentum, the possibility for using new technologies to improve people’s lives continues to grow exponentially. These contestants are among the leaders in the push to create, develop and execute technological and robotic advancements for Thailand’s future,” Ms. Sirirat added.
Associate Professor Manukid Parnichkun, chairman of the organizing committee of BicyRobo Thailand Championship and lecturer at the Mechatronics field of study, School of Engineering and Technology, AIT said: “Through this challenging contest, university students who have special passion for science, technology and robotics, will be empowered with the latest trends in the industry.”
He explained that AIT is always on the alert to provide students with opportunities of importance for their development. “Our aim is always to broaden the technical horizon of the students and project them to use their theoretical knowledge into practice, fully embedded with skills required for their further studies and future careers,” Assoc. Prof. Manukid said.
“From success in the 1st contest, we have witnessed how university students are able to come up with practical robotic innovations. For the upcoming contest, contestants are committed to developing and stabilizing their unmanned bicycle robots. They aim at enhancing various technical capabilities so that their vehicles are well-balanced and faster than ever,” he added.
As the contest main sponsor, Seagate offers funds for contest prizes including the 150,000 baht cash for the winning team, while 100,000 baht goes to the first runner-up. The team with the best technique and the most creative team win 50,000 baht in cash each. Each of the 16 finalist teams will be given 20,000 baht to develop its vehicle.
Registration runs from now until August 5, 2011 at www.trs.or.th. Contestants training, rules and regulations announcement and Q & A Session will be hosted at AIT on August 11, 2011. The preliminary round contest will be hosted on November 2, 2011. The final round contest will be hosted on February 8, 2012.
Photo caption: From left: Ms. Sirirat Euaypadung, Dr. Thavida Maneewan, Prof. Worsak Kanok-Nukulchai, and Associate Professor Manukid Parnichkun.
Click for photo release at www.thaipr.net