Young robotics enthusiasts take on an industry challenge

This year’s Industry 5.0 conference also featured the first Robotex hackathon, where students from robotics, engineering and IT took on a real-life industrial problem. The team from the KÕU Mobility Group came up with the theme and the teams had to create a robotic arm capable of carrying out technical checks on products within four hours.

Teams from TalTech, Tallinn University of Technology, Code / Jõhvi, Kadrina Secondary School took part in the hackathon. During the Häkaton, the participants had the opportunity to simultaneously develop their 3D models and prepare presentations of their solutions. Each team was able to demonstrate their LEGO robot-based gripper in the AIRE club, highlighting their unique approach to solving the automation problem.

A local jury evaluated the solutions submitted during the hackathon – their experience and industry knowledge helped to select the best overall solution and find the winner.

Siim Hovintalo, the main organiser of the Hackathon, added: “Overall, we are very happy with the pilot project. We are very satisfied with the Häkalo project. The overall satisfaction with the event was very positive. Next year we plan to organise a longer and bigger event.”

Hovintalo further commented on solutions built on the LEGO platform, saying: “Using LEGO to develop such a prototype may seem rudimentary to some, but the hackathon resulted in several functional prototypes that can be developed further.” The winner of the hackathon was the Tallinn University of Technology’s “Top three” team, which presented a novel and potentially workable gripping solution, followed in the top three by Code Jõhvi and Kadrina High School teams.

Robotex provided a great opportunity to see the creativity and innovation of young talent and to experience the future of industry first hand. AIRE’s mission is also to support the next generation by involving young engineering and IT students in AIRE activities. We are happy to say that a very smart generation of young engineers is growing up in Estonia!