1. Record numbers for Robocup Page 1 of 2
Published on Otago Daily Times Online News (http://www.odt.co.nz)
Record numbers for Robocup
By John Lewis
Created 11/08/2010 - 05:00
Seldom is there an event where people stand relatively Click photo to enlarge
stationary in a room filled with dance music, flashing lights
and whirring electric motors. But these action-packed
sights and sounds are not unusual for the RoboCup Junior
Otago Challenge.
This year's challenge, held at the Otago Museum's Hutton
Theatre on Saturday, attracted about 110 pupils in 31
teams from primary, intermediate and secondary schools
around the region.
The teams created robots which they had programmed to
perform specific tasks. [1]
Otago Boys' High School
There were three categories in the challenge. pupil Jeffery McAlpine (13),
left, and Tahuna
Pupils programmed their robots to either dance, follow a Intermediate Team Wallie
line from point A to B (with some obstacles along the way) member Philip Anderson
or play soccer. (12) go head-to-head in a
game of soccer with their
RoboCup Junior Otago Challenge chairman Donald robots during the RoboCup
Liddell said the event had been growing and he was Junior Otago Challenge on
delighted with how it had multiplied. Saturday. Photo by Jane
Dawber.
"This is our fifth year running the competition in Dunedin and this is the largest
contingent of competitors we've had so far.
"The skills of the teams has come a long way. Some of the programming is very
impressive."
Mr Liddell said the event aimed to encourage school pupils to develop practical and
intellectual problem-solving and team work skills, but overall it aimed to generate an
interest in science and technology.
"Often, the kids participating go on to university to study mechanical and electrical
engineering."
http://www.odt.co.nz/print/120181 11/08/2010

2. Record numbers for Robocup Page 2 of 2
Results
Junior dance: Barbie Girls Remixed (Balmacewen Intermediate) 1; Rolling Queens
(Kaikorai Primary School) and Dynomyte 2 (Balmacewen Intermediate) equal 2.
Junior search and rescue: Team Wallie (Tahuna Intermediate) 1; Terminators (Tahuna
Intermediate) 2.
Junior soccer: Team Wallie (Tahuna Intermediate) 1.
Dunedin Education
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Source URL (retrieved on 11/08/2010 - 08:16): http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/120181/record-
numbers-robocup
Links:
[1]
http://www.odt.co.nz/files/story/2010/08/otago_boys_high_school_pupil_jeffery_mcalpine_13___4c612c31e7.JPG
http://www.odt.co.nz/print/120181 11/08/2010