Presentation Brothers claim top prize in robot contest

After an epic three-hour battle, Presentation Brothers College in Cork came out on top in Munster’s ultimate schools robot competition.

The CEIA Schools Robot Competition took place in Cork Institute of Technology (CIT), and challenged students in teams of four to programme their robots to conquer tasks such as maze navigation, line following, and multi-task robotics using ultrasonic, touch, light and colour sensors.

After three hours, Presentation Brothers College had risen to the top of the pile, beating Rossa College in Skibbereen into second place. Ursuline Secondary School took home the prize for Best Poster Presentation.

Each year, the competition has a theme to highlight the ways in which engineering and technology is embedded in modern society. This year the theme was ‘robots and the Internet of Things (IoT)’. The aim was that by building and programming robots, students got an understanding of how objects embedded with electronics have network connectivity and can send and receive data.

Electrical and electronic engineering promotion officer with CEIA, Eamon Connolly, said the event may open some students’ eyes to potential future careers possibilities.

“A key aspect of this competition is that engineers, researchers and technologists from supporting institutes and companies provide mentor support for the teams throughout the competition — giving students an insight into potential careers in the industry,” he said.

As well as the robotics challenges, the teams also made posters and kept project log books. Since the competition began in 2004, almost 1,200 students have been introduced to the world of robotics, electronics and sensor technology, as well as problem solving, teamwork and making scientific presentations.

Skills and Education chair of the CEIA, Valerie Cowman, said Cork is home to many ICT companies who provide challenging and rewarding careers for people interested in driving technological change.

“This competition hopes to foster interest in the next generation who will go on to become the engineers helping to grow and develop these companies even further,” she said.