CQUniversity hosted the 9th Annual Central Queensland Junior Robotics Competition and many competitors dressed for success, coordinating their costumes and decorating their robots...

Students from Eimeo Road State School in Mackay perform their routine

Competitors in the 'soccer', 'dance' and 'rescue' categories had to pre-program the computer software in their brick-size robots, which are usually constructed from Lego.

"There's no radio control involved and, while they have mentors, competing students have to do everything for themselves on the day, learning from break-downs, rebuilding robots and collaborating to achieve innovations," says Organising Chair Jason Bell.

"Spectators could attend and there was plenty of opportunity to cheer along our bright young minds. Not only are there costumes for the dancing robots but the kids also bring props and costumes and join in on the dance routines."

Mr Bell said only four points separated the top four teams in the primary dance challenge. One of the semi-finals for soccer not only went into extra time, but it came down to a single 'robot versus robot' phase to determine a winner. The finals of the soccer also went into extra time.

LINK HERE for the full results

Visiting robotics specialist Dr Damien Kee with students from Mackay Christian College 
Organising Chair Jason Bell