Robotics enthusiasts and people fascinated by science and innovation will be able to indulge their passion at the upcoming Western Australian Agricultural Automation Games.
This year’s games feature the WA Robotics Playoffs, as well as an Innovation Competition that will use ag-tech and science to solve real world challenges facing WA’s agricultural sector.
The games are a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), Murdoch University and Curtin University.
A total of 28 teams from 20 secondary schools from across WA will compete in the Robotics Playoffs’ specially designed challenge, called ‘Crescendo’ – the musical term for gradually getting louder.
Foam rings used in the challenge will be used as a metaphor for ‘musical notes’, which will be collected by the robots from a loading bay and ‘amplified’ by launching them into slots of various heights and orientations.
The teams will get extra points if their robots end the game on a ‘stage’ suspended by chains from a frame.
DPIRD is sponsoring several pre-rookie teams, including Champion Bay Senior High School, John Curtin College, Kelmscott Senior High School, Lakeland Senior High School and Thornlie Senior High School.
Thirty teams from 13 schools will compete in the Innovation Competition, developing innovative solutions to one of three challenges – detecting exotic plant species, managing urban pests or collecting soil samples.
This is the third year the Innovation Challenge has been held, which includes a prize package for the winners to purchase STEM equipment for their school.
DPIRD workforce capability project manager Suzanne Hawkes said the games were a great opportunity to gain an insight into science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career pathways in primary industries.
“Ag-tech and digital technologies are becoming integral to sophisticated, modern primary industries businesses,” Mrs Hawkes said.
“There has been huge growth in the adoption of ag-tech and digital innovation across WA’s primary industries sector in recent years, as businesses become increasingly sophisticated and mechanised.
“For our primary industries to remain competitive, it is important we stay at the forefront of advances in ag-tech and digital technologies and cultivate the next generation of STEM expertise and careers.”
Curtin University STEM Outreach Manager Andrew Hannah said high-end robotics events played a crucial role in inspiring young minds to collaborate and innovate to “build their ’bots” – nurturing technical skills, teamwork and interpersonal abilities.
“This competition encourages participation from diverse backgrounds, including actively engaging young women, helping pave the way for an inclusive and innovative future and technology,” he said.
“These experiences often serve as a springboard for students to explore pathways to university where they can further harness their passion for robotics and technology.
“With these Robotic Games now in their fourth year, we’re seeing previous participants who’ve gone on to university or tech careers returning to pass on their expertise and passion to inspire the next generation of robotics enthusiasts.”
Pro Vice Chancellor of Murdoch University’s Food Futures Institute Professor Peter Davies believes a hands-free farm experience using high tech robotic automation could be the answer to economic and labour feasibility.
“Using robotic equipment on farms could see greater independence for farmers, and a chance for smaller farms to become cost competitive, with less need to employ backpackers for hard labour,” he said.
“Engaging the next generation with the latest technology helps them to see a viable future in agriculture and empowers them to make it happen.”
The WA Agricultural Automation Games will be held Saturday and Sunday, 24-25 August 2024 at Curtin Stadium. Entry is free. The WA Robotics Playoffs commence 8am on both days, while the Innovation Competition will run 8am to 12pm on Sunday 25 August.
Free, fun family activities will also be on offer 10am to 3pm both days, including a cuddly animal farm, face painting, Lego building and lots more.
