Forty (40) delegates will represent the Philippines in the 16th International Robotics Olympiad Competition (IROC) in Beijing, China this November 5 – 9, 2014.

Pinoy Robot Games Foundation has been sending delegates to IROC since 2007. These delegates were champions of the National Robotics Competition (NRC), a local annual competition where more than three hundred school teams participate.

In the press and bloggers conference held at Oakwood Premier Joy-Nostalg Center in Pasig City, part of this year’s delegation to the 16th IROC was presented to the media. First up is the winners of 2014 National Robotics Competition last January from Grace Christian College, composed of Ana Isabelle Chua and Kimberly Gamboa.

Other champion teams include Colegio De San Juan De Letran College-Calamba headed by Robotics Coach Nestor Sienes, St. Theodore School in Taguig City headed by Robotics Coach Roy Canoy, Pasig Community School headed by Robotics Coach Jeffrey Galvez, Holy Child Catholic School headed by Robotics Coach Red Rodil, and Philippine YuhChiau School. Teen inventor Angelo Casimiro (who made headlines with his electricity-generating shoes) is also participating.

Last year’s delegation won two (2) golds, six (6) silvers, and other special awards. They competed last December 2013 in Denver, Colorado, USA.

It is sad to know that the students and their parents shoulder the expenses in order for them to fly out and participate. But through the generosity of Data Science & Technology Corporation, their trip will be sponsored including travel and accommodations, robot kits and software they will be using during the competition.

What happens in an international robotics competition and how to prepare?

The 16th IROC theme revolves around “stop global warming”. The students will build their robots and code them from scratch on-site. This is a product of their long preparation that involves a lot of research, coming up with a solution and designing robots to execute those. Once they are prototyping, they have to dismantle and built it while timing themselves.

The students can only join a maximum of three events as 12 – 15 events take place over the course of three days, with four or five events happening simultaneously per day. Competition categories include sumobot, line tracing, mission challenge, break-out, humanoid challenge, and robo-soccer. The fourth day is for social gathering and awarding.

Apply as part of the delegation

Interested schools can apply to send in their delegates as part of the Philippine Robotics team for the 16th IROC. Application process and forms found here.

Upcoming Robotics Competitions

Regional qualifying competitions in the Philippines happen year-round. Check out these important dates for aspiring robotics champions:

• Sept. 12, 2014 – Creative Robo Fest, Don Bosco Canlubang / Laoag, Ilocos Norte / Talisay, Negros Occidental (winners will compete for 16th IROC)
• Dec. 13, 2014 – National Sumobot Competition, Don Bosco Makati (winners will compete at NRC)
• Feb. 7, 2015 – National Robotics Competition (winners will compete at 17th IROC)
• Middle of 2015 – Asian Robotics Competition, Indonesia
• Dec. 2015 – 17th IROC, Bucheon South Korea

Join us in cheering for our Philippine team! Best of luck and make us proud! To God be the glory!