ISLAMABAD: Hundreds of foreign enthusiasts are attending a robot contest in China’s Henan province that offers insights into artificial intelligence and technological development around the world, with Pakistani participants describing it as a “great opportunity.”
The 2024 World Robot Contest (WRC), running from January 16 to 21 in Zhengzhou city, is being attended by robot enthusiasts from countries like China, the United States (US), Pakistan and Germany.
The competition covers more than 20 major events, 50 minor events and 100 competition groups, providing a broad competitive stage for robot enthusiasts from around the world.
Hira Syed, a Pakistani leading a team of foreign participants, said this was the first time they were participating in such a competition and it offered valuable insight into the world of technology.
“As the world is growing in technology and AI, I think it’s a great opportunity for all our students to come here and see what’s going on around the world,” she told Reuters.
“We need to understand the importance of technology.”
Syed said they had their hands on the robots and the controllers in the competition.
“I think they’re doing fantastic,” she said. “I think after the competition, when we are relaxed, we’ll go and interact with them. I think it’s going to be great.”
Hosted by the Chinese Institute of Electronics, the World Robot Contest has attracted over 100,000 contestants from more than 20 countries since 2015, according to the WRC website. It is widely acclaimed as the “Olympic Games” in the robotics field.
The event consists of two major competitions: Brain-Computer Interface or BCI Brain-controlled Robot Competition, and Youth Robot Design Competition.
“Basically, I attended this robotics event because it was the first time, I attended an event concerning technology and sciences,” said Gabriel Barakeel, a participant from Cameroon.
“I learned new things in maths and computer science by looking at all the projects around different robots, different students manipulating different robots. It really fascinated me. I learned a lot of things about robots, and I think I’ll search of even more things at home.”
‘Great opportunity’: Pakistani enthusiasts explore AI, tech advancement at China robot show
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‘Great opportunity’: Pakistani enthusiasts explore AI, tech advancement at China robot show
- World Robot Contest has attracted over 100,000 contestants from more than 20 countries since 2015 and is widely acclaimed as ‘Olympic Games’ in robotics
- The competition covers more than 20 major events, 50 minor events and 100 competition groups, providing a broad competitive stage for robot enthusiasts
India captain says will travel for Pakistan clash despite boycott
- Pakistan have announced they will boycott their match against India on Feb. 15 in Sri Lanka
- India need to be at the stadium on Feb. 15 to ensure they are awarded two points for match
MUMBAI: India captain Suryakumar Yadav said Thursday that his team would show up in Colombo for their T20 World Cup clash against Pakistan, despite their Group A opponents and arch-rivals boycotting the match.
“We haven’t said no to playing them (Pakistan),” Yadav told reporters at Mumbai’s Wankhede stadium, where India will begin their campaign against the United States on Saturday’s opening day.
“They are the ones who have said no. Our flights are booked and we are going to Colombo.”
India need to be at the stadium and ready to take the field for the February 15 match in order to make sure of being awarded the two points for a match forfeit.
The tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India, has been overshadowed by weeks of political posturing in the build-up.
Bangladesh were kicked out for refusing to play in India and Pakistan’s government then told its team not to show up at the clash of the arch-rivals as a show of support for Bangladesh.
Pakistan and India have not played bilateral cricket for more than a decade, and meet only in global or regional tournaments events.
India start the T20 World Cup on home soil with a great chance of retaining the title they won two years ago and Yadav agreed they were the side to beat.
“The way we have been playing, it looks like we are the favorites,” he smiled.
If that seemed like an overconfident statement, the India captain was quick to caution: “There are 19 (other) good teams in the tournament, though.
“On a given day, when you play, you have to bring your A-game and play good cricket.”
India know that their opening opponents, the United States, caused the biggest upset of the 2024 tournament when they beat Pakistan in a super over.
Yadav said no team would be taken lightly.
“I’m sure every game will be very important,” he said.
