Think RoboCup is about 11 robots from each team chasing a ball around a field? Think again.
At the RoboCup 2010 Media Conference held at SP Auditorium Reception Hall on 6 May 10, press delegates from all over the world were enlightened on what to expect from this year's 3,000-strong event.
To be held at the Suntec Singapore International Convention & Exhibition Centre on 19-25 June, local teams will be challenged by scientists and students from world-renowned institutes in Japan and Australia, who were previous host countries.
The competition will be tougher with a resounding 40 participating countries pitting their skills to secure top honours in the championship. And with 70% of local schools taking part, interest in the robotics-related event is expected to soar among our youths.
Director of Economic Development Board (EDB), Mr Jonathon Kua, was excited for the purpose of RoboCup in inspiring youths to be problem-solvers, 'challenging them to think outside of the box', and gain experience in building real robotics systems. 'Hospitals, for example, are using Artificial and Intelligent Systems solutions to conduct surgical procedures more efficiently and also aid patients in rehabilitation training,' says My Kua.
The EDB is supporting a dual degree PhD program recently initiated between Nanyang Technical University and Carnegie-Mellon University; the objective being to train students to be future leaders of Robotics and Intelligent Systems.
Likewise, the relevance of Robotics and Intelligence Systems are reflected in the competition categories, where the finals of the major competitions are on the last day (*hint hint). Categories like RoboCup@Home focuses on robotic solutions for society and domestic use; RoboCupRescue aims to provide search and rescue applications; RoboCupJunior inspires students to be interested in science and technology and RoboCupDemonstration hopes to develop emerging technologies for industry.
Under the RoboCupSoccer category is competitive football. The idea surrounding this hefty category is to advance so rapidly and develop off each others' innovations that we will be able to 'develop fully autonomous humanoid robots to beat the human World Cup Champions by 2050'! And having seen what Singapore Polytechnic and Nanyanng Technical University has put together during the demonstrations at the media conference, I'd say we're hitting the benchmark, no less!
Talk about SP's major involvement in the RoboCup as the organisor: our school would be mobilising all staff and students to help in the chaperoning our foreign counterparts, video recording for media , live coverage on SP Campus Radio, distribution of F&B supplies and performances for opening and closing ceremonies. So get into the thick of the action and volunteer already!
The event is open to public after the first two days of registration, from 21-25 June, 8am to 8pm. For more scheduled information, go to robocup2010.org.
See you here, at this other World Cup!
~written for the fullStoP publication.
