Royal Trophy for Robotic Innovations

(24-04-2013)

On 9 April 2013 the Minister of Education, Mr. Phongthep Theokanjana, chaired a ceremony to receive trophies donated by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for the winning students of the National Robotic Competition in the academic year 2012. The ceremony took place at a meeting of the Office of the Vocational Education Commission (OVEC).

After awarding the trophies to all the winning students, the Education Minister said that, this year, students had been awarded trophies in three categories: 1) vocational education robots from Hoy Lod Team of Samut Songkram Technical College, 2) rescuer robots from Sum Koh Team of Kamphaeng Phet Technical College and 3) automatic arms industrial robots from B-Tech Team of Buriram Technical College.

"Robots are increasingly important in the modern world as they are used in many industries. Moreover, robots can work as well and effectively as human beings as we often see in books and films. Nowadays robots are far better than the older ones and both adults and adolescents are becoming more interested in these human-like machines," said the Education Minister, adding that Thailand is now using robots for different purposes, but much depends on how Thai people can develop and improve them, especially rescuer robots and bomb detonating robots.

Thai students are becoming more interested in robots as they show their abilities for inventing them publicly in Thailand and overseas.

Congratulating the student winners for their good work and cooperation with all the organizers of the national competition, the Minister of Education hoped that they will improve and develop their work for the sake of practical usage in both the public and the private sectors.

Taking place from 6 to 9 April 2013 in Ayutthaya, the National Robotic Competition saw 40 student teams with vocational robots, 45 student teams with rescuer robots, 40 student teams with industrial robots with automated arms and 8 student teams with innovative robots with automated hands and arms for the disabled. The first prize went to students from Samut Songkram Technical College; the second prize went to Kamphaeng Phet Technical College; and the third prize went to Buriram Technical College. All the projects will inspire Thai youths to create and innovate higher robotic technology in the future.