Young innovators display skills at robotics event

Young Chinese have joined more than 200 teams in a robotics competition in Canada, showcasing their country's growing dominance in robotics and artificial intelligence.

Among the standout competitors in the Federation of International Robot Sports Association event in Markham, Ontario, were Sophia Wang, 13, and Luca Wang, 16, two Chinese participants who demonstrated their technical expertise in different categories.

Sophia's team competed in DRC Explorer and Autonomous Driving, bringing two specialized robots.

"One robot transports objects to designated locations, while the other interprets traffic signs and navigates a path accordingly," Sophia said.

The process was not without challenges, she said.

"Programming errors were the biggest issue. Sometimes it takes hours to figure out exactly where the problem is."

For Luca, adapting to last-minute rule changes posed the greatest challenge.

"We spent three months building our robot, but then the competition regulations changed, and we had to redo two months of work."

His team's robot was designed to transport objects precisely to specific destinations.

Despite the challenges, Luca said he saw the event, from March 15 to 16, as a defining moment in his robotics journey. "This is my last robotics competition before I graduate. For many of us, this is our final chance to compete together, so we were aiming for first place."

He plans to pursue a degree in engineering, and he credits the competition with strengthening his skills in problem-solving and programming.

"China has a long history of excellence in FIRA competitions," said Maria Sun, vice-chair of FIRA Canada.

China's influence on robotics continues to expand, she said, Northeastern University in Shenyang, Liaoning province, once the FIRA world champion, being a great example of this.

Chinese teams have been part of FIRA since 1996, and their participation continues to grow each year.

"FIRA is huge in China," Sun said. "Last year I visited China and built strong connections with FIRA's Chinese organizers. We have Chinese teams participating actively in both China and Canada."

This year five Chinese teams competed in Canada, with participants ranging in age from 5 to 18.

"Most of the Chinese competitors were in the 10 and 14 age groups; they arrived in Toronto from cities like Vancouver and Montreal, as well as from China.

Top competitors

"Chinese teams are strong in programming, engineering and handson robotics. They have always been among the top competitors, and we hope to see even more participation in the future."

FIRA Canada is rapidly cementing its place as a global robotics hub, attracting international teams and fostering local talent. Sun talked of the competition's role in advancing STEM education.

"FIRA directly promotes AI and robotics education; it trains students in programming, mechanics and electronics while also strengthening teamwork and leadership."

The top three teams from the event will qualify for the FIRA RoboWorld Cup in Daegu, South Korea, in August.

Beyond competition, she said, the event serves as a platform for education and skill-building.

"FIRA is not just about winning, it's about inspiring the next generation of engineers. Many participants start from scratch, assembling circuit boards and designing their robots entirely by hand. Watching their focus and dedication is truly inspiring."

With AI and automation shaping the future, Sun said she believes events such as FIRA provide a crucial foundation for young engineers.

"This is the AI era, the robotics era. For students, competitions like this not only improve their skills but also help them gain entry into top universities and prepare for careers in technology and innovation. This is not just a competition. We are pioneers, and we represent technological innovation."

gaoyang@chinadailyusa.com