Kathmandu

The IVth International Robotics Competition (IRC) organised by Robotics Association of Nepal (RAN) under Yantra 6.0 saw large number of tech enthusiasts coming together on one platform to participate in different interdisciplinary competition that focussed on the various implications of robotics. Organised with the theme of ‘Technology for Change’, the competition with the total  cash prise of Rs 1 million was categorised into five specific areas — Yantra Space, Yantra Racer, Yantra Manual Akhada, Yantra Automatic Akhada and Yantra National League held on December 17, 18 and 23.

The Yantra Space was won by Khowpa Engineering College whereas Advance College of engineering and Management secured the second position. The participating teams had to design and develop robots without wheels with specific built for specific tasks. The robot built had to solve a conceptualised problem in order to win the competition.

Moving on, Golem Khowpa Engineering College came out victorious in the Manual Akhada accompanied by The Robonauts Trinity International College in the second position. The competition was designed like an ultimate fight where two teams fought against each other to destroy each other’s manual robot in the game arena. The size of robot was increased this year to allow participants to display their creativity in bigger dimension. Samir Sapkota, team leader of the winning side shares, “We designed the robot for the competition in two weeks with funding from our college. This was our first participation in Yantra and we had the perfect opportunity to exhibit our talent through robotics competition.” He added, “We are also planning to participate in the upcoming Robocon competition.”

For past six years, RAN has been organising Yantra with the aim of incorporating robotics competitions, workshops, art-tech exhibition and other multidisciplinary programmes to  encourage interdisciplinary exchange of ideas, innovation, learning in the creative and technical fields.

Stressing that Yantra provides exposure to technological innovations and contributes to the expansion of robotic activities in the country, Bikash Gurung, President of RAN shares, “The major focus of this competition is to bring different individuals who are enthusiastic about robotics under the same roof and provide them a learning opportunity through workshops and competitions. During the course of IRC, we managed to train 500 students for the National League and also provided trainings on image processing.” Gurung adds, “We have received very positive feedback from the participants. Ministry of Science and Technology along with National Academy of Science and Technology have also supported our endeavours. We will be expanding the IRC as well as the Yantra with more programmes in upcoming installments.”