QC-built robot wins competition

A robot assembled from scrap and indigenous materials by science teachers in Quezon City has won the first place in the Nov. 22-26 APEC Educational Intelligent Robotic Competition, held in Busan, South Korea.

The two-foot high, four-wheel remote-controlled robot was presented yesterday to amused city officials, led by Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr., by Mariel Joy Ocampo of the Novaliches High School and Joan Rose de la Rosa.

"JR (janitor robot) can dance, sing, talk and sweep the floor and also serve snacks using its magnetic hand," said Gilore Oprancia, information communication technology coordinator of Novaliches High School who accompanied Ocampo and De la Rosa to the international competition.

The robot’s flashing head is made from coconut shells, its body from a discarded plastic container, while its wheeled body was made out of improvised remote-controlled toy jeep. JR also comes with broomsticks.

Dr. Maria Noime Moncada, principal of the Novaliches High School, said the initial concept of the robot was as a teaching kit for physics students because of its capability to perform mechanical movement.

She said JR competed with robots from 11 Asian countries during the four-day competition.

"JR was able to impress the judges when he served them snacks using his magnetic arms," Moncada said.

Ocampo and De la Rosa who represented the Philippines manipulated the movement of the JR and explained its mechanical capabilities to the panel of international judges.

The Philippine delegation received a trophy and 300,000 South Korean won for their entry.