SPR robot team competes for the future

At first glance, the room looks like a chaotic mixture of factory and dormitory -- metals parts and electric wires scattered everywhere, instant noodle cups and empty energy drink bottles littered randomly on the desk or just on the floor.

One guy is sleeping at the desk, one group of several guys is squatting around a remote control car and another group is sitting around a computer, discussing things loudly and occasionally bursting into laughter.

The 120-square-meter room, officially known as the robot workshop, seems too crowded for the 40-plus member SPR team of China University of Petroleum-Beijing (CUPB).

On May 13, twenty-nine college teams competed in the north China division of RoboMasters 2017, a world-leading robot competition sponsored by Shenzhen-based DJI-Innovations, and eight, including the BKd team from Minzu University of China and the TDT team from Northeastern University, made it to the finals.

The gymnasium of China University of Petroleum-Beijing, the competition site of the north China division of RoboMasters 2017. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

"Great honor" on SPR team

"If we had enough funds, this could be a real company," said Gong Pu, responsible for doing the commentary during a match for his team.

"It's very hard to make it to the final," said Zhang Tanlin, current leader of CUPB's robot team.

"I first joined the team out of my own interest and now I choose to stay with it out of responsibility," said Zhang, who looks shy and speaks in a gentle low voice.

"We join robot competitions representing our school around the country," noted Zhang, "last year, we went to compete in many places such as Shandong and Shenzhen."

When asked about what competence -- technical skills or comprehensive leadership -- is more important for a team leader, Zhang answered quickly but in a very firm tone: technical skills.

Two students calibrate their robots based on conditions at the venue. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Zhang can focus on the skills of the team because he has a right-hand man.

"After retiring from the post of the team leader, I am responsible for most of the non-skills part, such as team publicity and logistics," said Gong Pu.

Gong said that he has a deep emotional connection with the team and each member is highly skilled.

"Even after a member has graduated from school, he or she often comes back to see us," added Gong.

"To be a member of the SPR team is really a great honor," said Zhang Hanwen, a CUPB freshman and volunteer for RoboMasters 2017.

"I think I can never join the team since it’s too hard," added Zhang, smiling with shyness.

"The atmosphere of the competition is hot and the arrangements are advanced," said Qi Shuodong, another volunteer.

Students watch the robot competition. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Future of SPR team

On one wall of the workshop, a red banner says "People working with one will can move Mount Tai. SPR is the best!"

"Most members of the team take just one month for both summer and winter vacations, leaving time for intensive training," said Gong Pu.

Before 2014, the team was not as strong as it is now, said Gong, adding that he hopes it will mature and become as innovative as that of the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China.

Members supply commentary for one of their team's matches. [Photo/provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

After graduating from college, members of the team can still work together for a common goal, said Gong. "It's just a new place to be together."

For Gong, the most important thing on the team is to gain some experience and he considers it as training for a future career.

"Some enterprises choose to sponsor the team with materials and equipment," said team leader Zhang Tanlin.

"As for me, the most important thing is to lead the team to compete and win honor for our university," said Zhang.

Ex-team leader Gong Pu, for his part, hopes the team will keep being innovative, produce its own cutting-edge products and grow to become an independent entrepreneurial firm.