New Delhi: The just concluded Indian Robot Olympiad (IRO) 2010 was an enthralling experience not just the participants but for the spectators also. The tech expo organized by Techtronics Education (India) Limited was the fifth edition of the national level robotics annual championship. This was held in association with LEGO, world’s premier manufacturer of play and education materials. 

The Olympiad at Genesis Global School, Noida had attracted over 100 schools as participants. The Olympiad is amongst many initiatives taken by Techtronics Education to promote the basic mantra of learning by doing in the Indian education system. 

The Indian Robot Olympiad is held in three categories – primary school, junior high and senior high. In this showcase of talent and intellect, teams from over 100 different schools across India participated and the two winning teams from each category will get to represent India in the World Robot Olympiad to be held in Philippines from November 5th -7th 2010. 

Participant students demonstrated capabilities of their Robots, which were created using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® Education NXT kits.  These students are part of the Robotics for Schools program being rolled out in India through Techtronics Education (India) Ltd. Some of the prominent schools participating are Amity International School, New Delhi, Vasant Valley School, New Delhi, Saupins School, Mohali and Chandigarh, Young Scholars School, Barnala, St. John’s High School, Chandigarh. Displaying exceptional acumen for robotics, children aged between 9-17 years created and programmed various robots to solve complex challenges. 

In his introductory speech Mr. Sudhanshu Sharma, MD Techtronics Education (India) Limited stressed on the importance of “Learning by Doing” – the inherent principle behind Techtronics Education. He said, “Techtronics Education in India is committed to the core cause of learning by doing in the education system in India. Globally, the developed world has risen to the use of robotics and automation technology. In India, we want to make children familiar with this technology at an early stage to prepare them to embrace this technology with enthusiasm as they enter the professional world. With this Olympiad, Techtronics education has written yet another successful chapter in Indian Robotics Education, with a commitment of many such more.”

 Director of the host Genesis Global School, Mr. Pramod Sharma said, enesis, being co-partners with Techtronics Education this year, takes pride in the opportunity of organizing Indian Robot Olympiad at our impressive Multi Purpose Hall. Our association with Techtronics Education is because we strongly believe in their motto of “learning while doing”, which to a great extent, is in concurrence to our teaching methodology.”

 `Long time Lego enthusiast and Chief Judge – IRO 2010, Mr. Apurva Kalia introduced the competition and added, “It’s been our sincere effort to set highest benchmark each time with the India Robot Olympiad. Our ultimate aim is driven by the motive to produce world champions in international robotic competitions. I am also pleased to see that each year as we host the Olympiad, the existing benchmarks just go higher.” 

The occasion was graced by the presence of Mr. Ashoke Chandra Retd. IAS and Chairman of DPS Education Society inaugurating the competition. Honourable Chairman of CBSE Mr. Vineet Joshi distributed the prizes at the closing ceremony emphasizing the need of robotics education in India.