World-class robots to compete in RP

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino robotics enthusiasts are in for a double treat with the 9th Philippine Robotics Olympiad (PRO) and the World Robotics Olympiad 2010 (WRO), which will be held in the country.

During the launch of the PRO at the Quezon City Science Interactive Center, Mylene Abiva, national organizer of PRO, revealed that, after three tries, the WRO advisory committee has finally chosen the Philippines to host this year’s World Robotics Olympiad.

Abiva, president and CEO of Felta Multimedia Inc., said, “Not only are we able to offer our Filipino students through the PRO an opportunity to expand their horizons by the exploration of robots and robotic systems in schools, we are also able to promote the Philippines as an emerging technology hub in the Asia-Pacific and that is through the WRO.”

This year, Abiva said they are expecting over 300 public and private schools nationwide to participate in the PRO slated on Sept. 10, where the grand awardees will get to represent the Philippine team in the World Robotics Olympiad, which is scheduled on Nov. 6 at the SMX Convention Center, where more than 1,200 foreign students and coaches are expected to participate.

“And we are quite confident that the Philippine team will make the country proud this year,” she said.       

In creating the robot models for the competition, participants use LEGO Robotics, which can be manipulated using an NXT or RCX brick, a microcomputer that serves as the brain of Robolab inventions.

Participants also use computers to design a program with command icons, which is transferred to the NXT/RCX brick via Bluetooth technology, where the robots are commanded to move in various ways through a designated field of challenges.

“Through these challenging and educational robot competitions,” Abiva said, “we are able to hone the youth to be the future scientists, engineers and inventors, by developing their creativity and problem-solving skills.”

Aside from the Science Education Institute of the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Education, PRO is also supported by SM, Karate Kid, A-Z direct, McKesters and the Asia Pacific College.

For more details, call Coni Peralta at 912-1397, e-mail at [email protected] or visit www.felta.ph.