NEWS On Friday 15 April it is yet again time for the traditional robot competition organised by the students at the Engineering Physics programme. Eight teams build their own robots and create a course where the objective is to move ping-pong balls to designated locations and in the final burst balloons on time. The competition takes place at 13:00 in the MIT Building in the atrium inside the entrance.
Physics students are now rushing to complete their robots and one natural place to go is the 3D lab in the Natural Sciences Building where printers have been well used to produce wheel brackets and robot arms among other components.
Some students have planned for this competition for months and have even chosen to concentrate some parts of the course to the autumn term in order to free up time to construct their robots in the spring. Still, there are things to do to program and finalise the last details even for those who started well in advance.
“Catastrophe!” is how Robert Hedman would like to describe the situation for their team. “I have worked hard for over a year and have completed a relatively advanced robot. But on Tuesday night the engine broke down and I’m now frantically trying to mend it. The engines are custom-made from Canada which means I have had to search high and low in Umeå for a new matching cogwheel.”
According to Björn Algers, third-year student at the Master of Science Programme in Engineering Physics and also project manager for the robot race, says that they have focused on creating a new, larger race course this year. They have also rented equipment for audio, light and smoke effects.
“It will be spectacular,” he promises.
The competition starts on Friday 15 April at 13:00 in the MIT Building. Everyone is welcome to join as spectators.
Interview & photo: Anna-Lena Lindskog
Editor: Anna Lawrence