UTAR Robotics teams stand out at 2024 U-ROCK Competition

Two UTAR teams from the UTAR Robotic Society made a significant impact at the 2024 U-ROCK competition, held from 27 to 29 November 2024, by winning the Top 6 spot in the semi-finals and securing 4th place in the national stage.

Despite time constraints and limited preparation resources, the students demonstrated exceptional technical prowess and resilience, achieving commendable results in their first-ever participation in the prestigious event.

The competition, known for attracting top talent from universities across the country, provided a platform for students to test their engineering skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork in various categories. The two teams delivered impressive performances, highlighting the university’s commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in robotics.

One of the teams competing in the Legged Robot category, composed of Liew Kai Hin, Tan Yong Ji, Charles Toh, Chang Zhin Wei, Luai Jia Hao, and Lim Yee Jia, exhibited remarkable ingenuity and achieved a Top 6 spot in the semi-finals—a testament to their dedication and technical capabilities. Their robots showcased advanced design and engineering concepts. Liew Kai Hin led a team that built a legged robot featuring a Jansen’s linkage mechanism for smooth, efficient legged motion. “This competition taught us that overcoming challenges is a rewarding journey, teaching us teamwork and valuable lessons,” he shared. Meanwhile, Luai Jia Hao introduced a shuffle drive robot inspired by the Monkfish combat robot, equipped with Arduino IR sensors for precise line-following. “We learned the value of innovation, drawing inspiration from existing designs, and using technology like Arduino sensors to enhance precision,” he said.

The Rope Climbing Robot team, consisting of Mervyn Then Jun Hie , Sim Buo Jian , and Tiew Mang Kit , achieved an impressive 4th place, securing a cash prize of RM150, along with a trophy and a winning placard, reflecting their perseverance and hard work. Team leader Sim Buo Jian explained, “The rope-climbing robot is powered by a Raspberry Pi 5 and uses vision control via the OpenCV library. This project provided valuable exposure to the techniques and innovations of other universities, broadening our understanding and inspiring us to refine our own approaches.”

The teams’ achievements are particularly commendable, given the challenges they faced. With short notice from the organisers, preparation time was significantly reduced, and the lack of a proper testing environment further added to the hurdles. Nevertheless, both teams rose to the occasion, showcasing their problem-solving abilities and adaptability in high-pressure situations.
Student mentors also expressed their pride in the teams’ accomplishments. Ooi Soo Jack, who mentored the Legged Robot Team, remarked, “I am proud of our teams’ achievement in the UROCK 2024 competition, despite it being their first time building robots from the ground up.” Similarly, Lim Zi Quan, mentor for the Rope Climbing Team, commented, “In their very first competition, they delivered an outstanding performance that stood out among all the participants. I hope they continue to carry this incredible spirit into all upcoming competitions and strive to achieve the very best.”

The teams were advised by Dr Hau Lee Cheun, whose guidance contributed significantly to the teams’ preparation and performance.

Reflecting on their experience, the students expressed pride in their achievements and gratitude for the opportunity to compete on such a prominent stage. Their success is not only a personal triumph but also a milestone for UTAR, reinforcing the university’s position as a nurturing ground for future innovators and technology leaders.

In addition to their outstanding performance, the competition provided an invaluable learning experience, allowing students to interact with peers from other institutions, exchange ideas and gain insights into the latest advancements in robotics technology. It also served as an excellent opportunity to strengthen teamwork, leadership skills and strategic thinking, which are essential qualities for their future careers in engineering and technology.