A robotics competition designed to test participants’ hand at manufacturing robotic rover prototypes, welcomed robot enthusiasts from across Africa to Riverside View.
Held at the Riversands I-Hub venue in Fourways on October 26, 11 teams were invited to present their rovers’ readiness to circumnavigate the terrains of Mars.
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The event’s organizer, Bryanston resident Basia Nasiorowska, indicated that a few teams could, unfortunately, not be present due to financial constraints, and visa challenges.
Ultimately, seven teams took part in the Cars4Mars – African Rovers Challenge.
“They had to build a rover for Mars prototype. Since the first of May, we’ve had three webinars hosting continuous tasks,” said Nasiorowska. “First, competitors had to write how they imagine their rover would work. We gave instructions that rovers must: move, be powered by battery, and preferably be able to see what’s happening around it [have a camera].”
Nasiorowska said that she got the idea from an advert on television when she was on a recent trip to Europe. Nasiorowska emphasised the importance of unlocking creativity in African youths. She said she felt moved to play a role in ensuring that African youths don’t get left behind as earth steps further towards the manufacturing of robotics.
“It’s a huge industry in Europe, America, China, and India, and I want to make this an event through which to make this career option available to young African people. A platform to inspire them,” Nasiorowska said. “The realistic aspects of building a robot are that there will be lots of jobs in robotics in 20 years. I know I won’t go to Mars, but, at least we can be closer to the topic of Mars, so that we can dream big.”
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The competitors had to navigate their rover prototypes along a 30m x 30m obstacle course simulating Mars’ terrain. The competition was judged by Lusas Gliwinksi, Jacop Kopec, and Adam Zagrajek – who have each won similar competitions on international platforms.
Winning teams
1st: Team Milestone Rovers from Zimbabwe
2nd: Team Engineers for Mars from Zimbabwe
3rd: Team Martian Mechanics from South Africa
Other prizes won
Best design – Team Martian Mechanics (South Africa)
Best in off-road mission – Team Luminous (South Africa)
Best science – Team Auto_Bots (South Africa)
Best in astronaut support mission – Team Engineers for Mars (Zimbabwe)
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