CQU SUPPORTS LOCAL ROBOT TALENT Inspired by the success of the local champions of the Robocup Junior Australia National Finals 2002, Central Queensland University’s Faculty of Informatics and Communication are planning to work with regional enthusiasts and the organisers of RoboCup Junior in Australia to organise an annual, regional competition in Central Queensland.

The Cathedral College Titans team of Cathy Kent, Wayne Sebbens, Josh Kearney and Lawrie Stanley were first time competitors in the Dance section of the event, placing third in the Queensland event, and then taking out the National Championship in Melbourne in September 2002. The Faculty of Informatics and Communication were sponsors of the teams’ efforts at the national level, along with a number of other local businesses. Associate Dean (Research) of the Faculty of Informatics and Communication, Russel Stonier, said that the Faculty was pleased to have had an opportunity to assist these students fully explore their abilities in the technical field of robotics.

“We are also hoping to build upon this interest in the future, next year establishing a local area competition of the RoboCup Junior competition to increase the local level of interest in science, engineering and computing technology through the practical use of robots,” Professor Stonier said. “Already there is evidence from local schools that they have been inspired by the efforts of the team from the Cathedral College.” It is intended that the competition will be run with the support of RoboCup Junior, an organisation that promotes project-oriented, team based education. RoboCup supports activities which emphasise hands-on learning by allowing children to develop their own robots.

For more information on robot competitions, visit the Robocup Junior website at http://www.artificialia.com/RoboCupJr/index.html)