News

Tuesday 20 June 2006

Robot Racer Electronic Challenge 2006, Nottingham Trent University, Clifton campus (29 June)

Budding engineers are designing and building robotic cars ready for the final of the Robot Racer Electronic Challenge 2006. About 40 pupils from Nottinghamshire schools have qualified for the event at Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton campus after passing through a series of heats at their schools.

The pupils’ brief is to design a car which can race along a track, drop or fire a table tennis ball into a target area, and reverse back to the start line in the fastest time. The cars need to automatically sense both the dropping zone and when to reverse; primary school pupils will use mechanical sensors and secondary school pupils will use electronic sensors with miniature computers.

Scores will be based on both speed and accuracy with prizes also awarded for technical innovation, a novelty event and a school display.

The challenge, in its second year, has been organised by the University’s Nottinghamshire Electronics Hub, based within its School of Education. The hub is a support centre set up by the Electronics in Schools Strategy (EISS) which aims to promote the teaching of electronics as part of design and technology.

Andy Cooper, a Senior Lecturer in Education, said: “Students will be faced with a tantalising challenge; do they design for high speed and compromise accuracy, or vice-versa? In addition to mastering electronic control, the cars need to be designed to be light and move freely in a straight line with cunning mechanisms for dropping and firing the ball; worthy challenges for our future engineers.”

He added: “The challenge provides a unique opportunity to engage pupils in an exciting and rewarding learning experience. There will be a chance to share ideas with others and discuss engineering with local industrialists, some of who will sit on the judging panel.”

ENDS

Notes for editors: The Robot Racer Electronics Challenge 2006 is run in partnership with Nottinghamshire SETPOINT and Nottinghamshire Education Business Alliance (NEBA).

Pupils taking part in the challenge will be aged ten to 16 and include boys and girls. Teachers will be acting as their consultants.

For more information please contact:

Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8782 or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk.

Or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on telephone +44 (0)115 848 8774 or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.