Lawrence Tech University


Opening Remarks by Senator Gary Peters, April 28, 2001, LTU RoboFest

There is great excitement buzzing and whirring around the Robotics Lab at LTU. Students from all over the State of Michigan and around the world will soon have the opportunity to show off their creativity and their programming talent with their autonomous robots at Lawrence Technological University’s RoboFest Show & Tell.

Autonomous Robots are completely computer driven, in other words, once the program is started, the robot performs without any outside control. Teams of all age groups will demonstrate their robotics design and programming abilities by showing what their robots can do.

Each team will have complete freedom to create their own autonomous robot. This means that any robot kit/material/programming language will be allowed. However, the design, programming and debugging of the robot is to be solely the student’s work (not parent’s, teacher’s or coach’s).

There are no limitations on robot size or weight, if it can be seen with the human eye or carried into the auditorium, we want to see it!!

We stress originality and creativity in design and programming. Suggested ideas include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Robot Pets
  • Animal Robots
  • New Robot Games
  • Robot Artist(to create a "work of art" on a piece of paper with pens)
  • Practical Applications of Autonomous Robots
  • Dancing Robots
  • Storytelling with Robots (A Play with Robots)
  • Legged Robots
  • Scientific Experiments with Robots (such as data gathering)
  • ...

Each team will be provided with a table to "warm up" and test their robot, then they will provide the audience with an Official Demonstration/Presentation.

Winners are judged by several categories including, but also not limited to: originality, creativity, functionality, performance, teamwork, presentation, new technology used, and popular vote.

We are looking for sponsors to make this event happen. The sponsorship would be used for prizes and travel grants for those who could not otherwise afford to attend.