THE first UBTECH Robotics Regional Competition in Malaysia held at the Chung Ling Private High School in Penang today marked another important development in robotics innovation.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng Soon Siang, who launched the competition, said the competition was aimed at engaging different kinds of robots and a development in artificial intelligence (AI) technology.
“The programmes are designed to cover different robotics level of students.
“Teenagers can practise the AI theory and strategic thinking by comprehensive trainings in competition.
“It is awesome to note that the champion of today’s competition will be sent to Kunming, China for an international challenge later this month,” he said in his speech at the school in Air Itam today.
Also present were Chung Ling Board assistant secretary Chan Boon Teong, Chung Ling Private High School principal Ng Jooi Seah, Tech Dome Penang chief executive officer Dr Khong Yoon Loong and UBTech country manager JC Ng Chiang Chuang.
A total of 74 students took part in the competition held at the main hall of the school. It was jointly organised by UBTECH Robotics, which is one of the world’s top 10 AI and humanoid robotics company with a valuation of US$10 billion (RM41.4 billion), and Tech Dome Penang.
They would be tested on what they have learned from attending an earlier three-day workshop.
Ng said it was the second event Tech Dome was collaborating with UBTECH after successfully organising the robotics competition, called Robomania, which was held on June 15, 2019 and awarded Malaysia Book of Record for ‘Most Number of Participants in Robotic Interactive Learning Event’.
In thanking the participants for all the hard work and efforts put forth in the competition, he commented: “Your knowledge and talent makes us proud. The work you do now will make the future of this continent, and the world stronger and brighter.”
Khong said science and technology is progressing very rapidly worldwide.
“However, the number of students in the country majoring in science and technology is less than 20 percent compared to those taking up arts subjects.”
“Nevertheless, the acquisition of UBTECH skills through the robotics competitions would help open up a new world in science and technology,” he added.
Chiang Chuang said robotics would be playing an important part in the society and families in this era of artificial intelligence.
“It is important for a school to be ready for such a vision, and to keep up with the times, it would be fitting to have students exposed to robotics education.
“Chung Ling Private High School has always been providing quality education, and from Year 2020 onwards, the Junior One, Two and Three curriculum will include the UBTECH robotics course, which will be conducted once a month, in two hours per lesson,” he added.
Story by Danny Ooi
Pix by Law Suun Ting