MUSCAT, Oman. Seven teams from different colleges and universities in the Sultanate competed in this year’s Oman Robotics Challenge (ORC 2015). The event was held at the Modern College of Business and Science last November 30th under the sponsorship and direct supervision of the officers and representatives from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – Oman Section.
ORC 2015 aims to inspire creativity and encourage team spirit, as young Omani students are given the opportunity to solve problems, transform abstract concepts to practical resolutions and strategies and compete in an environment different from the usual.
The challenge consists of 6 rounds and a two-hour window time is allocated for participants to build, program and test their robots before starting the actual competition. Hybrid-programmed and remote-controlled robots should be designed using both open source and commercial platforms. The robots should be able to move and carry light objects and autonomously drive them through different types of terrains and obstacles.
After the grueling rounds, the team from Sultan Qaboos University was declared winner by the panel of expert jurors both from academe and industry.
The winning team and coach received 400 USD cash prize, plaque and certificates of participation, round-trip airfare and hotel accommodation to Holiday Inn Downtown in Kuwait, where the GCC Robotics Final Round is slated to be held on 12th December 2015.
- By Engr. Arnold N. Santos
Secretary, IEEE Oman