By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
The expertise of Deakin University’s robotics lab electrified a team of young whizzes from Croatia when they visited Geelong this week.
The Croatian Junior Robotic Team is no slouch itself, having scored second place medals at an Australian National Robocup junior competition in Adelaide last weekend.
Croatian Ambassador Dr Damir Kusen, who organised the team’s visit, said the young enthusiasts found it difficult to drag themselves away from Deakin’s Centre for Intelligent System Research, Robotics and Motion Simulation Lab.
“It’s a language kids understand. All kids are interested in robotics,” Dr Kusen said.
The team also put on a robotics demonstration and workshop for more than 50 students at Holy Family Primary School, even though its students were still holidays.
Dr Kusen said the team would participate in an Exhibition of Robotics at the Croatian Embassy in Canberra, together with high-tech educational institutions and companies.
“One of the highlights will be the first ever soccer match between Australia and Croatia, played by robots,” Dr Kusen said.
“We’ll also demonstrate a robotic competition of an equestrian chivalric tournament called Sinjska Alka, a 300 year-old tradition in Croatia.
“We’re keen to encourage student exchanges and use this as an opportunity to bring the two countries closer together through the culture of innovation.”
