Robocamp, an exclusive robotics event held by IIIT-H, was started with a vision of providing a creative platform for all aspiring robot scientists of the Country. And after the conclusion of the 3rd Robocamp, we have really progressed a lot. After all, who would have thought that students of 1st yr. B.tech would be able to build a Computer Interfaced Robot!

Making this possible was definitely not easy and to find more on how this was made possible, read on. Robocamp ’08, sponsored by Google, was held at the IIIT-H campus from 2-7th June. This time we had registrations from 550 students from 95 universities spanning the best in India. In fact, majority applicants were from outside A.P.

Experienced mentors provided help and advice all through the process as necessary. There was a mentor for almost each group so that students get personalized attention and learn much more than they could think of. Such was the enthusiasm of the mentors and students alike that not only they skipped their lunch but took 2-3 nightouts to complete their dream robot. The hostels of mentors were empty in the nights as they wholeheartedly dedicated their time to realizing the dreams of amateur students. 3 days of hectic building and tweaking and it was down to the last day when students showcased their effort. The last day, 7th June, IIIT-H’s main reception was a place to catch with media persons swarming the place and covering the event. Even they were amazed and awestruck to find what students had accomplished in mere 3 days! Then, it was justified to pay a small tribute to students’ efforts and it was amply done by awarding prizes to the winners. At the end, it was really comforting and satisfying for the organizers to hear great reviews and applause from all. Yes! Google sponsored Robocamp ’08 was a great success.

To look back and think of the past week, it really makes me think what we would have achieved if were able to help the 400 students who had applied but didn’t get to be a part of this event. So, we promise to bring you Robocamp ’09 next year, much bigger but with the same vision and enthusiasm. Keep waiting!!!

Event Pictures coming up @ Media Gallery shortly!

Ever wondered how to transform yourself into an Iron Man? Or construct an R2-D2? Even if your answer is No, Robocamp is a place where any interested person can find lots of stuff to work on and enjoy building robots!!!

Yes, my friends! We are back. IIIT-H is proud to present for the third time its annual robotics workshop Robocamp ’08 to be held from 2nd June to 7th June in IIIT-H campus. For the newbies, IIIT-H every year organizes Robocamp purely as a robotics event where the experienced as well as the starters can know about upcoming trends in Robotics and learn more about this challenging but amazing field. Let’s go into flashback and get a glimpse of Robocamp ‘07. Robocamp ’07 was organized from 17th May to 23rd May.

It had registrations from students of around 90 colleges from all over India spanning the IITs, NITs and BITS. With lectures given by eminent personalities such as Dr. Bipin Indurkhya (Founder – IIIT Robotics Club), Mr. Sartaj Singh from CAIR (Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Research), Bangalore, Dr. Prabir K. Pal ( DRDO) and many others, students got to know what Robotics is all about and how it is emerging as one of the vastly growing research areas of cutting edge technology. A wide range of topics from bio-robotics to Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Sciences were discussed.

Many workshops were held such as one by Mr. Amitabh Mukhrejee from IIT Kanpur which propelled creative thinking and applying simple fundas to build something useful out of junk. But the best part of every Robocamp held till now is that students get to build and tweak on their very own robots. Not only the experts but even the novices, with the help of experienced mentors, try their hands on mind-boggling but yet highly interesting and innovative stuff. Moreover, all the instruments are provided free of cost; then why not tinker and build something new? Last year the 125 participants were divided into groups and it was great to watch them work through the night to finish their bots within the timeline. The thought of having made such a thing work filled a cloud of happiness in their hearts. They could see the result of all their patience and hard work glowing right in front of them. It turned out as an experience which they would never forget.