Kathmandu, September 1:

Nepali robots designed by students of Institute of Engineering, Pulchowk, have won the award of ‘Best Automatic Robot’ in the international robotic competition held in Maharashtra Institute of Technology, India.

Three automatic and a manual robots collectively named as ‘Yeti’ had competed in ABU ROBOCON (Asian Broadcasting Unit Robotic Contest) 2008, held yesterday. The robots were prepared by a team of 11 mechanical and electronic engineering students of the IoE after a rigorous eight months’ hard work.

Amrit Kharel of Robotics Club, IoE, said the award was given for having the best automation in the robots, which is the greatest of the achievements Nepali robots have received so far. He said it was the matter of pride to be declared best in automation amongst countries like Japan, China, Hong Kong and Republic of Korea that are far advanced in technology.

Nepali robots defeated robots of host country India with a margin of 27-4, which according to the Robotics Club was for the third time.

Though Nepal defeated India, loss to three-time champion Vietnam barred Nepal towards the trophy. The competition was a combination of technology and mythology, where robots competed under the theme ‘Govinda’ demonstrating the act of stealing butter from a raised pots.

A three-member team led by Dinesh Twanabasu, Robotics Club, IoE, operated the Robots.

As many as 17 countries: Bangladesh, Vietnam, China, Egypt, Fiji, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Macao, Malaysia, Mongloia, Saudi Arabia, Srilanka, Thailand, India and Nepal took part in the competition. China bagged the trophy defeating finalist Egypt by 22-21.