Two elementary school boys from Gunma Prefecture will put their skills to the test in the international competition called World Robot Olympiad 2018, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in November.
The two qualified to represent Japan by getting through preliminary contests and are now preparing for the international final.
The pair, Reia Hashimoto, 10, and Ayumu Takahashi, 10, of Hirosawa Elementary School in Kiryu, Gunma Prefecture, have attended the same robot school, Robodan, in the city since April last year and are learning how to make and program the machines.
The boys worked together to improve themselves, and formed the team they call REI & AYU.
Hashimoto’s main job is programming, while Takahashi handles the assembly duties.
They have formed a good team: When Hashimoto changes the program, the meticulous Takahashi works to have the adjustments reflected in the movements of the robot.
More than 60,000 participants from 74 countries and territories are set to appear in the WRO, which includes preliminary competitions.
Participants construct autonomous robots using materials made by the Lego Group, the worldwide brick toymaker, and program their movements to navigate a course 1 meter long and 2 meters wide.
Participants test their skills in making the robots properly carry and place blocks, each of which has a predetermined place according to its color, within the time limit.
After the pair won first place in the elementary expert division preliminary, held at the Kiryu campus of Gunma University on Aug. 5, they were awarded special-recognition status among 20 teams at WRO Japan 2018, held in Kanazawa on Sept. 9.
The boys earned the chance to take part in international final as Japan’s fourth team.
One strong point of the duo is the adaptability they display when a new rule is unexpectedly announced during competitions. In such cases, participants need to make drastic changes to their programs. The boys earned high marks for their bold arrangements at the WRO Japan.
The WRO international final is set for Nov. 16 to 18, and the boys leave Japan on Nov. 15.
Said Hashimoto: “We will practice more and more to adapt to the sudden rule changes and try to get into the top half of the standings in the first half of the competition.”
Takahashi expressed his determination, saying, “We will do our best.”
Their coach Yutaka Somekawa, 42, who keeps a steady watch over them, said: “Getting into the competition makes them stronger. I want them to build up some experience.