The final of the 4th Hong Kong Underwater Robot Challenge 2009 organised by City University of Hong Kong (CityU) took place on 12 April. Finalists from 19 secondary schools competed in this unique event staged at the CityU swimming pool.

The competition theme this year focused on submarine rescue and promoted the development of technical, teamwork and critical thinking skills. The students negotiated their remote operated vehicles (ROVs) around a model of a stricken submarine and completed set tasks within a time limit to accrue points.

The Kwok Tak Seng Catholic Secondary School team took first prize, with Shau Kei Wan Government Secondary School named the runner-up team. Third place went to Maryknoll Fathers’ School.

Over several months, the teams took part in workshops at CityU where they were given a free ROV kit, shown how to design and construct it, before adapting the vehicle for use in the contest. The students applied their newly acquired knowledge in the basics of robotic technology during the exciting finale.

The competition was the regional stage of the Marine Advanced Technology Education International ROV Contest. Winners of the challenge event at CityU are eligible to attend the 2009 International Finals in Massachusetts, US, this June.

Members of the public enjoyed a close-up view of the robotic designs in action, with a huge 2,000-litre glass tank on site during the event. Visitors were also given a chance to operate the machines.

Dr Robin Bradbeer, Associate Professor, Department of Electronic Engineering, said interest in robotics was increasing among young students in Hong Kong. “There are many schools with robotics clubs now and hopefully CityU can play a part in helping Hong Kong move towards becoming a regional hub in the robotics industry,” she said.