Irshadgul News report,
Thirty robots went head-to-head as they battled for machine supremacy at the University of Waterloo’s first robotics competition on Saturday.
The event is one of eight district championships held across the province.
Teams composed of local high-schoolers design, build, and program their own mechanical marvels, capable of grabbing, carrying, and balancing a variety of objects.
Competition manager William Neill said, “Waterloo has a reputation for being a preview not only to the Ontario Championships but sometimes to the World Championships.” We’ve had some of the best teams in the world come to the Waterloo arena.
More than a dozen teams could advance to the provincial championships, and from there possibly to the World Championships in Houston.
“This is a life-changing process for many of these students and these teams,” Neal said.
A team makes adjustments to their machine at the last minute. (Tyler Kellaher/CTV Kitchener)
But the real prize is the experience this program provides and the doors it can open.
Neil says that over the years millions of dollars in scholarship money have been given away at the event.
“I’ve learned so much, I know this is what I want to do after high school,” said Chloe Bogert, a member of the FRC2702 Rebels team. “I know I want to get into a job like this.”
Members of Team FRC2702 Rebels, including Chloe Bogert (right), appear during an interview with CTV News. (Tyler Kellaher/CTV Kitchener)