Expert in low-cost robotics hosts robotics competition

Expert in low-cost robotics hosts robotics competition

On Saturday, 27th January 2024, igus will open its doors in Cologne for the RoboCup Junior competition. Pupils from the Rhineland compete against each other with their self-built robots in various disciplines to prepare their qualification for the German Championships. Interested spectators and members of the press are very welcome.

Football matches and simulated rescue missions with robots will take centre stage in Cologne on 27th January 2024. This is where the RoboCup Junior’s dress rehearsal will take place at igus in Porz-Lind. It is the largest international robotics competition for pupils aged 10 to 19. Its aim is to make the subjects mathematics, computer science, natural sciences and technology more popular. The participating pupils enter various competitions with their self-built robots. For the first time, igus GmbH is hosting the dress rehearsal of the NRW qualifying tournament. Winfried Schmitz came up with the idea. The physics and mathematics teacher at Christophorus School in Königswinter has been organising the competition for several years: “igus is known as a robotics expert and supporter of the various robot leagues. That’s why we came up with the idea of asking igus to host our dress rehearsal.” With its Low Cost Automation Business Unit, igus itself develops, tests, produces and sells low-cost automation and robot solutions, focussing on plastics. On site, the young participants can get a taste of real-life industry, familiarise themselves with different robotics kinematics and get advice from the robotics experts. “It is important for the students to test their robots in a competitive environment before the qualifying tournament and eliminate any errors. The event also gives us the opportunity to train our referees,” says Schmitz. Alexander Mühlens, Head of Low-Cost Automation at igus, is delighted about his role as host: “igus has been involved in the RoboCup for several years as part of its young engineers support, both with free products and with financial sponsorship. The promotion of next-generation robots is very important to us and we need pupils interested in technology for this. That’s why we not only sponsor the RoboCup teams, but also support other events, such as the Smart Green Island Makeathon.” Another exciting igus project was the development of a humanoid open-source robot with the University of Bonn. The robot called NimbRo, which was developed for educational and research purposes, is based on ROS and was produced completely with 3D printing. The robot was a great success at RoboCup, winning the first RoboCup Design Award in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, it was awarded the prize in several categories.

22 teams and their robots compete with each other

22 teams have already registered for the dress rehearsal. Other competitors include Christophorusschule Königswinter, Albert-Einstein-Gymnasium in St. Augustin, Heinrich-Böll-Gymnasium Troisdorf, Bertold-Brecht-Gesamtschule Bonn, Engelbert-von-Berg-Gymnasium Wipperfürth and Städtisches Gymnasium Haan. The participants range from fifth graders to students from the senior years. The competitions begin at 10 a.m. and the award ceremony is scheduled for 4.30 p.m. The best German junior teams qualify for the German Championships in Kassel via one of eight qualifying tournaments. The most successful teams will also have the chance to take part in the 2024 World Championships in Eindhoven or the European Championships in Germany.