Mechatronic Students Unleash Their Robots!

The SCHUNK Robot Competition, part of the 6th annual European Robotics Week, was held November 19 to 27, 2016. Numerous companies, research institutes, and organizations throughout Europe participated in this event with the goal of inspiring students and young professionals, and also teachers and professors, regarding the potential of robotics. More than 700 events were offered throughout Europe during this action-packed week.

SCHUNK Robot Competition

A part of the European event, this year’s Robot Competition from SCHUNK was exciting, instructive and challenging. SCHUNK apprentices developed the course, which had to be performed by the participants of the challenge at the last of the three competition days, and it was demanding. The teams had to design a robot, which then had to be parked and removed autonomously; it had to approach obstacles to within a few centimeters and grip parts; and last but not least, had to follow a floor signaling to the goal.

Students Rise to the Challenge

The highly motivated teams of students from the 10th grade at Hölderlin Gymnasiums in Lauffen were encouraged by the SCHUNK apprentices, and also Stefan Mühleck and Martin Aichert, trainers for automated technology and mechatronics at SCHUNK. The twelve boys and two girls developed and optimized ideas for designing the robots, and programmed the individual motion sequences. Their teachers for science and technology, Evelyn Sauer and Peter Spechtenhauser came to cheer. From the two-wheeled balance roller to three- and four-wheeled versions up to a chain-driven robot car, everything was seen during the development phase. Some things were rejected quickly, while other ideas were optimized step-by-step and were brought to life with the help of the right software.

Creative Training Under Real Conditions

CFO Bernhard Frisch, and the Head of the Technical Department for Mechatronic Gripping Systems, Mike Mayer were fascinated by the results and the commitment of the young teams. During the award ceremony they applauded the creativity and perseverance of the mechatronic youngsters: “It is not only the brilliancy of programming which is decisive. And in case of emergency, the small details such as documentation or an alternative plan are important if something doesn’t work”, emphasized Bernhard Frisch. Hence, the Robot Competition was training under real conditions. The two experts invited the participants to pursue this issue as a trainee, student trainee or apprentice at SCHUNK. Because “robotics is a growth market, in which SCHUNK is playing an important role for robots as a worldwide leading technology provider“, said Frisch.