Distinction for four Greek teams in the 2021 World Robotics Olympiad

Four distinctions, which gave Greek color to the final of the World Robotics Olympiad – World Robot Olympiad WROTM 2021, were won by the teams that represented our country, in one of the most important institutions in the world for educational robotics. The teams emerged from the national competition organized by WROHellas with a strategic partner COSMOTE.

Greek teams competed with 200 teams from 65 countries at this year’s World Robotics Olympiad on Powerbots – the future of energy. They presented green energy robotic solutions that can help tackle the climate crisis.

The four teams from the Greek delegation that managed to win the distinctions and be in the top ten of the category in which they competed are:

– Minders, 5th place in the Open Lyceum category

– The Speeders, 5th place in the #FutureEngineers category – Autonomous Driving

– Autonomous: 9th place in the Open Lyceum category

– Airgenics: 10th place in the Open Lyceum category

In addition, the ROBOKS and Robotonio teams took 13th and 19th place in the category they competed in.

The Minders team, which reached the 5th place in the Open Lyceum category, told us about their project “Airfield”, their experience from the World Robotics Olympiad and their plans for the future.

The Minders team is: Giannis Gamaletsos, Dionysis Kanellis, George Klonis, Thanos Kotsokolos and Konstantinos Moustakakis.

What was the theme of your robotic project?

Dionysis Kanellis: Our Airfield project is divided into two parts. The first part presents an innovative way of generating electricity through a flying wind turbine. The second part proposes a way of consuming this energy in a fully automated and robotic greenhouse, which aims to maximize profits.

What do you think was the feature that made you stand out?

Giannis Gamaletsos: The special feature of our project was the innovation of the idea which was at a theoretical level. Another reason that in my opinion stood out our project was the fact that it was a complete project, without any weaknesses and very well developed in all areas (eg construction, program, business plan, etc.).

What is it like to participate in a digital Olympiad?

George Klonis: The fact that this year’s Olympics took place online did not allow us to have the “normal” experience. We lost the experience of the trip, the acquaintances we would make during the time as well as the feeling of feeling that you are part of the Olympics. On the other hand, the digital form of the competition helped us to have less stress, as we were at our school, where we are every day. Overall, the overall experience was positive. We learned many things and above all we came closer as a team.

How many times have you taken part in the Panhellenic Competitions?

Dionysis Kanellis: I have participated twice in Panhellenic Robotics Competitions. The first time I participated at the national level, I was mainly mentored and then at the Olympics we were ranked 9th. In the second year we won the 1st place in the Panhellenic Competitions and the 5th place in the Olympiad. These distinctions do not stop our Team from participating again in this year’s Competition!

Do you want to study / take up a technology-related profession in the future?

Thanos Kotsokolos: My goal is to study at the Technical University of Athens and more specifically at the School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. I am more interested in the construction and operation of robots on a professional level.

In total, to date Greece has won 6 medals and 13 places in the top ten at the World Robotics Olympiad. Regarding the distinctions of the Greek delegation, the President of the Educational Robotics Organization WRO Hellas, Ioannis Somalakidis said: “The distinctions of the Greek delegation in the World Robotics Olympiad this year are more important than any other year. They show the passion and zeal of our young people robotics and a better tomorrow and they fill us with pride. Their path was not easy. They had to face many upheavals. love robotics and STEM and compete with worthy countries with a long tradition. ”

Depi Tzimea, Executive Director of Corporate Communication and Sustainable Development of OTE Group, referred to the importance of developing digital and technological skills, stating in this regard, “Congratulations to the Greek teams for their distinctions. We are with young people who want to try new things and develop new skills.Through the educational robotics and STEM actions we support, we have managed to get many young people to get to know and get involved with robotics and technology and contribute to a better world. “For everyone. The future of our society is inextricably linked to technology and innovation. By investing in the development of young people’s digital skills, we are investing in the progress of Greece.”

COSMOTE & WRO Hellas for the development of digital skills of young people

COSMOTE through educational robotics and STEM contributes to the development of digital skills of young people, as a strategic partner of WRO Hellas. From 2015 until today have taken place:

– 7 Panhellenic Competitions of Educational Robotics with 25,000 total student participations

– Annual information seminars with 7,000 total teacher participation

– 4,000 downloads of specialized robotics training materials

– 600 free robotics training packages in schools

– 2 films on educational robotics, Robogirl and TheRealRobokids, which have exceeded 7 million views on YouTube. The films, created by COSMOTE, made educational robotics better known in Greece.

Through their involvement in educational robotics and STEM, young people learn to use all the possibilities of technology, to work as a team, to solve problems, but also to propose innovative solutions to address various contemporary issues.

Equal access of all citizens to the possibilities offered by the digital society, is a priority for COSMOTE, contributing to its vision for a world better for all through technology.