ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS AROUND THE WORLD

 Exposure to different competitions around the world not only enables us to explore our potential but also expands our horizon of knowledge. I have had many opportunities to test my passion in robotics through various intra- and interschool robotics competitions. There are several competitions conducted globally at multiple levels, as listed below.

I) BEGINNER LEVEL:

1) WORLD ROBOT OLYMPIAD:  

 

The first international world robot olympiad was held in 2004 in Singapore. It uses LEGO Mindstorms manufactured by LEGO Education. It consists of 4 categories, such as ROBOMISSION, ROBOSPORTS, FUTURE INNOVATORS, AND FUTURE ENGINEERS. The competition is held for Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High levels (8-19 years). Official programming languages are C++, Java, and Python.

2) THE FIRST LEGO LEAGUE CHALLENGE: It is an international competition held globally and is organised by FIRST for elementary and middle school students aged 9-14 years. 

The students work as teams and are provided with a KIT called "Challenge set" which includes LEGO electronic and mechanical components and instructions for building a robot. The robot has two and a half minutes to complete the mission called " Robot game." Officially registered teams can also be nominated for the Global Innovation Award. Official programming languages include Scratch-based block coding and Python.

3) BOTBALL: It is an educational Robotics program that focuses on engaging middle and high school students in team-oriented robotics competitions.

 It is known for the sophistication and complexity of its robotics competition. The robots are autonomous and are not directed by any remote control. Students program the robots to recognize the challenges and attempt the objectives of the competition. The official languages used are C++, Java, and Python.

II) INTERMEDIATE LEVEL : 

1) VEX ROBOTICS COMPETITIONS: It is a popular and the most extensive robotics program, ranging from elementary school level through university. It is managed by the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation. ( RECF) . The two leagues designed for middle and high school students are :

a) VEX  V5 ROBOTICS COMPETITION: It is a metal-based robotic platform. The robot is controlled by the VEX V5 brain. Scratch-based block coding is the official programming language.

b) VEX IQ ROBOTICS COMPETITION: It is designed for elementary and middle school students. The exciting challenges enhance their STEM skills through hands-on, student-centered learning. Their current competition, Mix and Match, is a 2-robot game played in a 6ft * 8ft rectangular field, with each robot competing for 1 minute.  The programming language used is VEX code IQ, which offers both block-based coding and text-based coding options.

2) FIRST TECH CHALLENGE: It is a competition for students in grades 7-12. They work in teams to design, build, and program a robot to compete in an alliance format against other teams. The robot kit is Android-based. It is programmed using the Block programming interface and Java. The team has to develop a strategy and build robots based on innovative engineering principles with the help of their mentors. Teams design and build robots using a reusable kit of parts and compete with a standard set of game rules to play an exciting field game and compete in the specific season challenge.

3) ROBOCUP JUNIOR: One of the most prestigious competitions in robotics and artificial Intelligence. It is an educational Robotics program and competition for middle and high school students. 

     Three Main Leagues :

a) Soccer: Autonomous robots compete in a dynamic soccer-like environment.

b) Rescue: Robots navigate a simulated disaster scenario, identifying and rescuing victims.

c) On Stage: Robots are choreographed with music and costumes, showcasing creativity and performance.

Official languages used are C++ and Python.  

III) ADVANCED LEVEL :

 1) THE FIRST ROBOTICS COMPETITION: One of the most prestigious robotics competitions for International high school students. Every year, teams comprising high school students, along with their mentors and coaches, build robots. These robots complete game-specific tasks, such as scoring balls into goals, hanging on bars, placing objects in predetermined locations, and balancing robots on various field elements. Each team is given a standard set of parts required to build robots and is allowed to purchase additional specialized components.  

The culture followed by FIRST is "Coopertition," which emphasizes that teams can compete and cooperate at the same time. FIRST LEGO LEAGUE  is a competition for elementary and middle school students. FIRST TECH CHALLENGE is a competition for high school students.

The winning teams from each of these tournaments join the Global competition at the FIRST Championship.

2) BEST ROBOTIC COMPETITION: BEST ( Boosting Engineering, Science, and Technology) is a six-week robotics competition in the US held each fall. 

It is held for middle and high school students. This has an interesting thought behind its origin. Way back in 1993, when two Texas Instruments engineers, Ted and Steve, along with a group of high school students, were watching a video of freshmen building a robot at MIT, the students said to them, "Why don't we do this?" Thus, BEST was born. The first competition was held in 1993. Several games were conducted, such as Incision Decision, Off the Grid, BUGS, Crossfire, and 3D printing.

3) DARPA  ROBOTICS CHALLENGE: It is one of the most interesting and challenging robotics competitions. It was funded by the U.S Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

It aimed to develop semiautonomous ground robots that could perform complex tasks in dangerous, degraded human-engineered environments. The challenge focuses on disaster or emergency response scenarios. The initial task requirements are :

a)  Drive a utility vehicle at the site.

b) Travel dismounted across rubble.

c) Remove debris blocking an entryway.

d) Open a door and enter a building 

e) Climb an industrial ladder

f) Use a tool to break through a concrete panel.

g) Locate and close a valve near a leaking pipe.

h) Connect a fire hose to a pipe and turn on a valve.  

The winners will be eligible for funding. 

The programming languages are C++, Java , Python, and MATLAB.

MATLAB is used for simulation and DATA analysis.

So what are you waiting for !!!! Grab the opportunity and watch out for these competitions and unleash your inner potential .

See you all in the next blog... until then , stay curious and keep Roboting!!!

BREATHE SAFE WITH VOCTRACKER:MY SOCIAL VENTURE PROJECT

 Breathe Safe: How I Built a Device to Protect You from Hidden Car Air Toxins

We’ve all been there—stepping into a car that’s been baking under the hot summer sun. The blast of trapped, heavy air hits you first, followed by the discomfort: a mild headache, maybe a wave of nausea, or just that suffocating feeling that makes you want to roll down the windows immediately.

Growing up, I often noticed my parents’ ritual: before we got into the car, they would roll down all the windows, turn on the AC full blast, and wait a while before letting us sit inside. It was their way of “making the air breathable.” But later, when I often took cabs for commuting, I realized I didn’t have this luxury. I had to get in immediately, breathing that same heavy, stale, and oddly smelly air—often ending the trip feeling sick.

I started wondering: What exactly is in that air that makes us feel so unwell?

Discovering the Invisible Danger

My research led me to something both fascinating and alarming—VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds. These are gases emitted from everyday materials, and in cars, they come from plastics, upholstery, adhesives, and foams. Common VOCs found in vehicles include formaldehyde, benzene, toluene, styrene, and xylene.

In a sealed and sun-heated car, VOC concentrations can spike dramatically. The short-term effects? Headaches, dizziness, nausea, and skin irritation. Long-term exposure is far more serious—respiratory problems, hormonal disruptions, reproductive issues, and even damage to vital organs.

That was my “aha” moment. I realized if we could detect these harmful compounds in real time, passengers could take immediate action—like ventilating the car—before the air became dangerous.

Building VOCTracker: My Solution

I began working on VOCTracker, a portable, real-time VOC detection device designed specifically for cars. The goal was simple: monitor VOC levels, alert the user instantly, and help them stay safe.

The core of the system is the SGP40 gas sensor, chosen for its accuracy in measuring total VOC levels with built-in humidity and temperature compensation. This sensor feeds data to an ESP32D microcontroller, which processes the readings and communicates with a user-friendly interface via Wi-Fi.

The working of the system:

Power Supply: A safe 12V DC adapter designed for in-car use powers the device.

Sensor Data: The SGP40 detects harmful compounds like benzene, toluene, and xylene.

Data Processing: The ESP32D interprets the readings and determines if VOC levels are within safe limits.

Real-Time Alerts: Through the BLYNK app or website, the passenger gets instant notifications if VOC levels are high.

This way, the passenger can take timely precautions—like opening windows or stepping out—before the air quality affects their health.

The Challenges Behind the Build

The process was anything but smooth. Procuring the right components took time and effort. Wiring so many modules together often led to short circuits, which I had to carefully troubleshoot. Coding the device in Arduino IDE required multiple rounds of rectification, especially to ensure every component communicated on the right port.

Soldering was another hurdle—I was a complete novice. Thankfully, a family friend guided me through it, and I learned a skill I can now proudly call my own.

The Proud Moment

After countless trials, I had a working prototype. Seeing the device accurately read VOC levels and send alerts in real time was incredibly rewarding. It wasn’t just about the electronics—it was about building something that could make a real difference to people’s health and safety.

What’s Next for VOCTracker

This is only the beginning. My next step is to integrate safety recommendations directly into the app. For example, if the VOC level is moderately high, the app could suggest opening windows. If it’s dangerously high, it could advise leaving the vehicle altogether.

I also want to scale production to make VOCTracker cost-effective and accessible to the general public. Education will be key—I plan to use my blog and live demonstrations to show people exactly why monitoring car air quality matters and how VOCTracker works.

Why This Matters

We spend hours in our cars every week, often with the windows rolled up and the AC running. Without realizing it, we may be breathing in harmful compounds that could affect our health over time. VOCTracker is my attempt to make that invisible threat visible—and prevent it from harming people in the first place.

Because clean air should never be a luxury—it should be something every passenger can count on.

See you in the next blog....until then, stay curious and keep roboting.

SWARM ROBOTICS : INDEPENDENT ROBOTS UNITED BY TEAMWORK.

 Let's go back to the fascinating world of Sleeping Beauty, where the Seven Dwarfs worked as a team to accomplish incredible feats. Similarly, in the world of technology, hundreds of tiny robots work collaboratively in various fields today.

BIOLOGICAL ANALOGY: My passion and comfort with teamwork led me to the concept of Swarm Robotics. As a nature lover since childhood, I have always been in awe of the diligent and mammoth efforts put in by the ants, fish, and birds to carry out their daily tasks as a team, be it for building anthills, collecting food, or migration. Each individual acts based on local information and simple rules, yet contributes to complex group behaviour. So this swarm behaviour in nature has inspired the development of Swarm Robotics.

WHAT IS SWARM ROBOTICS?

It is the study of  how to design an independent system of robots without centralized control,

HOW DOES IT WORK?

• COMMUNICATION: The robots use Bluetooth, wireless LAN, infrared, and Radio to share information and communicate. swarmbot.org
• SENSORS: Robots use algorithms and sensors such as cameras and proximity detectors to perform tasks such as navigation, obstacle detection, collision avoidance, and proximity measurements.hokuyo.usa.com
• COORDINATION: The robots working as a team use multiple approaches, such as the behavioral approach, the leader following approach, and the fuzzy logic approach to coordinate their actions.sciencedirect.com

KEY FEATURES: 

       

• DECENTRALIZATION: Every individual robot is autonomous and follows simple rules based on local information. There is NO central control unit.
• SCALABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY: The swarms can scale their operations by working with any number of robots from a few to hundreds or even thousands. This scalability merges with flexibility to perform various tasks.
• ROBUSTNESS: Even if one robot fails, the entire system still continues to function effectively despite challenges.

REAL WORLD APPLICATIONS : 

      

• DETECTION AND SURVEILLANCE: Multiple robots can cover large areas without blind spots. With the advanced technology, they can detect and respond to intrusions and threats by quickly analyzing them.kash video blocks
• 
  AGRICULTURE: Robots can monitor crop health, soil conditions, and pest infestation, which can help farmers make decisions.VentureX-Future Tech 
  
  
  
• SEARCH AND RESCUE: Robots can reach disaster sites, search every corner and depth for people.Fields institute 
  
  
  
• ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING: Robots monitor pollution levels, study the impact of natural disasters, track wildlife, and give valuable data for conservation. Futuristic Tech and AI 
  
  
  
• SPACE EXPLORATION: Robots assist in constructing lunar and Martian habitats, creating landing spots, research stations, and shelters using local materials to minimize Earth deliveries. 
  
  
  

LIMITATIONS : 

• COMMUNICATION CHALLENGES: In environments such as dense forests, robots have limited communication capabilities, which compromises coordination and performance.
• SCALABILITY ISSUES: As the number of robots increases, coordinating action becomes more complex, thereby hindering the efficiency of a large swarm.
• ENERGY CONSTRAINTS: Limited battery life poses a challenge for long-duration missions. There should be effective energy management strategies.
• ETHICAL AND SOCIAL IMPLICATIONS: When swarm robots make decisions autonomously, it raises questions about accountability. Job displacement is a big concern. Misuse of the technology in the SECURITY AND MILITARY fields will lead to major disasters.
• SECURITY AND PRIVACY CONCERNS: Robots are prone to cyber attacks, including hacking. During surveillance or sensitive data applications, hacking can lead to misuse and a lack of privacy.

   

Swarm Robotics is a rapidly evolving field with the potential to contribute significantly to various industries. By addressing its limitations through continued research and development, there is a high scope for realizing the full potential of this technology.

See you in the next blog .....until then, stay curious and keep roboting.

MISSION ROBOTICS ; An Ultimate Beginner's Guide For Young Minds

                                                  EXPLORING ROBOTICS: 

The FUTURE is here. The world is becoming technology-driven at a very rapid pace. Machines called robots are no longer just science fiction characters or something seen only in movies. They are becoming an integral part of human life. Terms such as Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning are set to become the norm of the future, driven by an interesting branch of technology that deals with the conceptual design, construction, operation, and application of machines, commonly referred to as robots. In simple words, a machine capable of sensing its environment, carrying out some computing calculations to make decisions, and performing actions in the real world. The term "robot" originates from the Czech word "robota," meaning forced labor.

WHY ROBOTICS???-Life lessons imparted  by Robotics:

Several lessons are learnt by students at an early age, such as:

1) Troubleshooting and Critical thinking: It equips students with the most essential attribute in life: questioning, analysing, evaluating, and decision-making. It teaches students to overcome challenges and find innovative solutions to complex problems.

2) Hands-on approach to STEM skills development: Complex theoretical concepts based on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) can become enjoyable and easy to understand through hands-on activities.

3) Thinking out of the box: It inspires students to think differently and stand out from the crowd. It motivates students to devise creative solutions to overcome specific challenges.

4) Teamwork: The most crucial character it builds in students is the ability to work as a team. This helps in better brainstorming and sharing each other's skill sets, as well as accepting different viewpoints.

5) Getting ready for future careers and jobs: Robotics can prepare students for future careers in Engineering, Programming, and other technology-driven fields.

Kick Start with Robotics:

A step-by-step approach can help students become engaged with Robotics and dive into the world. They can gradually rise from the budding stage and become professionals.

1)Books and Videos:

Age 3-5: a) Boy and Bot -By Ame Dyckman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpRE9NkwH4o

               b) Robots, Robots Everywhere -By Sue Fliess https://youtu.be/wu9AHYjnrsk

               c) Robo Sauce -By Adam Rubin  https://youtu.be/-8iDk1KEbEQ

Age 6-11: a) STEM Starters For Kids Robotics Activity Book, Packed with activities and Robotic facts. By Jenny Jacoby

b) Making Simple Robots: Exploring Cutting-Edge Robotics with Everyday Stuff by Kathy Ceceri

Age 12 and Above: 

a)Robots Kinematics: Robotics for Kids by Dr. S.S.S.R. Anjaneyulu

b) Introduction to Robotics By Oghuvive Blessing Edirin.

https://youtu.be/NRj6gzah7JA

2) Join your school Robotics Club or a Community Robotics club.

It helps students to come under the wings of experts. Mentors will expose them to beginner-friendly projects such as 

•  Line following Robots https://youtu.be/5jh-5HGvC-I
• 

•   Robo Race https://youtu.be/s2bIeA-lM8s
•  Obstacle avoidance Robots https://youtu.be/1n_KjpMfVT0
•  Basic Robotic Arms https://youtu.be/cWuJPlkmxCE

The students will have numerous opportunities to explore various kits available, and will be motivated to participate in competitions.

3) Beginner-Friendly Robotic Kits:

Students should have access to robotic kits that are age and skill-appropriate.

A few kits are mentioned below.

• MBOT- Ages 8 and above - Compatible with Scratch.
• Lego Mindstorms - Middle schoolers
• Arduino Startup Kit- Older children interested in Electronics and Programming.

4) Exposure to Programming Concepts:

      Students should become familiar with the following languages to gain a greater understanding of robotics.

  

•    Scratch - A visual Programming language for young students 
•    Python - Beginner-friendly text-based language used in Robotics
•    C/C++ - Useful for Arduino for more advanced projects

By following the steps as mentioned above, young minds willing to explore the futuristic world of Robots can embark on an incredible journey of discovering their inner robot enthusiast and pursuing a promising career path.

See you in the next blog. Until then, stay curious and keep Roboting!!!

A WALK THROUGH THE EXCITING WORLD OF ROBOTICS---THE JOURNEY OF A PASSIONATE TEENAGER

 

            LONELINESS TO LIVELINESS-THE JOURNEY BEGINS…

Revisiting one of the toughest phases of humankind-Covid 19 lockdown when active and enthusiastic teenagers like me were going through the most challenging times ever of staying at home the whole day. The entire world had resorted to gadgets for online mode of everyday tasks be it education, job, shopping and many more. As a high schooler I was exposed to a novel experience of online classes but along with it came a bunch a distractions like gaming with friends, chatting and social media.  My parents and I could sense the wastage of time and hence decided to explore constructive activities. We came across interesting flyers on robotic kits that caught my attention. As a child I too got to lay my hands on Lego blocks which I am sure is not something unusual because manykids do that. What fascinated me was the idea of constructing and programming those blocks to do some action. My parents gifted me a LEGO Mindstorms Kit . Little did I realize that this decision would open up a whole new world of Robotics and ignite my passion for going deep into the field.

BABY STEPS TOWARDS ROBOTICS….

           The LEGO Mindstorms is a great way to dive into the world of Robotics. It introduced me to    various components such as motors, bricks, sensor and coding. What better way to start than to build my favorite animal in a machine form a “ROBODOG” that could sit, wag its tail , bark and even lift it’s leg to pee. Next came the ROBOARM and the COLOR SORTER Robot. Thus I entered into the world of BLOCK coding.

INDUCTION INTO MY SCHOOL ROBOTICS TEAM

Progressing steadily with my passion saw me getting inducted into my school robotics team. My school threw ample opportuinities at me  and I was always quick enough to grasp them .I took part in various competitions ,First being the Interhouse ROBORACE.  I went on to represent my school in many interschool competitions like the Monarch Tech Fest where I along with me team designed and programmed  LINE FOLLOWING ROBOT and clinched the Bronze medal.

BUILDING THE DREAM TEAM

OurRobotics team was built with enthusiastic and passionate students who shared the same frequency with me. Each one of the team member was unique in their own way. Some excelled in strategic planning ,some in coding while the mechanical design was handled by me. We as a strong team embarked on a journey of challenges in designing ,building and coding robots for the FIRST TECH CHALLENGE ( FTC )-INTO THE DEEP. This journey was not easy ,we had to overcome many hurdles such as limitations in time, deadlines to be met, design flaws, technical gliches which led to depression ,frustration and desperation. Every single hurdle gave us life’s most valuable lessons like teamwork, Resilience, consistency, trouble shooting and perseverance .

EMERGENCE OF A VICTORIOUS TEAM

           On the competition day our team entered the Big Arena with a never give up attitude and a high soaring spirit .We competed with 14 best school teams from the country and emerged victorious as bronze Medalists.

BIG TAKEAWAYS FROM ROBOTICS

1)       Critical thinking and trouble shooting;  Robotics requires a step by step approach to solve a problem. It teaches us to come up with a innovative concept and analyze critically its feasibility and design . We also learn how to brainstorm and trouble shoot to come up with solutions.

2)       Teamwork: The most important aspect is that it exposes you to the humane side of yourself that is to work together as a team by overcoming ego and accepting each other’s strengths and weaknesses . We learn to develop interpersonal skills and create a conducive environment to work.

3)       Perseverance: Every failure makes students mentally strong and take it positively as a stepping stone and accept every challenge as a growth opportunity.

4)       Creativity and Innovation: It helps you to explore and come up with new ideas, troubleshoot designs and find unique ways of problem solving.

REALISING MY FUTURE ASPIRATIONS:

Active participation in Robotic competitions has sparked my passion for STEM to such an extent that I strongly believe I can become a good engineer. I am confident that my experience so far in this field will definitely guide me down the right path and lead me to the next chapter in my academic and professional journey.

 See you all in the next blog... until then, stay curious and keep Roboting!!!