MISSION accomplished
Thailand’s Independent Team poses with its rescue robots after winning the World RoboCup Rescue 2006 competition.
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King Mongkut team does Thailand proud in world robot competition
Thai-made Rescue Robots have emerged as the champions of the World RoboCup Rescue 2006 competition, beating other competitors by a wide margin. The robots from the Independent Team, the only Thai team in this international contest's Rescue category, earned a score of 109 in the final round while the first runner up was way behind with about 80.
Held in Germany's Bremen, the competition attracted 22 teams from various countries including the United States, Japan and South Korea.
"We are so proud and we are so glad," Pinit Khueansuwong, a member of Independent, said yesterday. He said his team would love to present this award to His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej who is now celebrating his 60th year on the throne.
Other team members were Thongchai Photsathian, Nati Namwong, Adisak Duangkaew and Suchat Junlee. All team members are either alumni or students at King Mongkut's Institute of Technology North Bangkok. They are aged between 21 and 28 years old.
It was the first time Thai inventors had claimed the World RoboCup Rescue Championship.
RoboCup Rescue project's main goal was to promote research and development in rescue operations that efficiently integrate robotic elements. In hostile environments, the Rescue Robots have many benefits.
Thai Robotics Society adviser Dr Jackrit Suthakorn, who coaches the Thai team, said the prestigious award had proved that Thai abilities were up to international level.
"We hope to pass on our knowledge to younger generations," he said.
Siam Cement Group (SCG) sponsored the Independent Team's trip to the World RoboCup Rescue 2006 after it won the Thailand Rescue Robot Championship last year.
"We have given priority to innovation policy and we want to give international experience to young Thais," SCG corporate communications chief Mattana Luangnakthongdee said.
The Independent Team's rescue robots were Independent Robot and Inpulse Robot. Equipped with sensors and hi-tech equipment, both can determine the location of victims and automatically report the route to rescuers.
Last year, they made it to the semi-final round at the World RoboCup Rescue 2005 Competition in Japan.
In the World RoboCup Soccer category this year, a Thai team from Chulalongkorn University emerged as the second runner up.
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