Maltese students from Savio College showcased their outstanding skills in robotics by clinching the top three positions at the AI and Robotics Rome Cup 2024 held in Italy. The talented year 10 students were the only representatives from Malta in this prestigious competition, where they competed in the challenging Rescue Line category.
The competition required the students to design and build a robot capable of navigating through a complex obstacle course autonomously. Once the robot successfully completed the course, it had to identify and rescue ‘victims’ painted in silver while avoiding the ‘dead’ victims painted in black. This required precise programming and meticulous attention to detail, which the students had been working on since October.
The team, mentored by Charles Axisa, a dedicated Computing and Robotics teacher, put in countless hours of hard work and dedication to prepare for the competition. They worked tirelessly on their robots named Dave, Philip, and Luca, overcoming obstacles and fine-tuning their designs to perfection.
Out of the 23 teams competing in the Rescue Line category, the Savio College students excelled, with teams Dave, Philip, and Luca securing the gold, silver, and bronze positions respectively. The first-place team comprised Bradley Attard, Jaden Muscat, and Matthew Baldacchino, showcasing their exceptional skills and teamwork.
The runners-up, Benjamin Tanti, Jayden Hearn, and Liam Holt, along with the bronze-winning team of Isaac Curmi and Andrea Gambin, demonstrated remarkable talent and innovation in the field of robotics. Their success not only highlights their individual capabilities but also reflects the high standard of education and mentorship provided at Savio College.
The achievement of these students is a testament to their hard work, creativity, and perseverance. It also showcases Malta’s emerging talent in the field of robotics and technology, positioning the country as a hub for innovation and education excellence.
As the students celebrate their well-deserved success, they serve as an inspiration to aspiring young minds interested in pursuing a career in robotics and AI. Their accomplishments resonate beyond the competition, emphasizing the importance of STEM education and nurturing young talent in cutting-edge fields.
The future looks bright for these talented students, and their remarkable achievement at the AI and Robotics Rome Cup 2024 is a testament to their potential to make significant contributions to the world of technology and innovation. With dedicated mentors like Charles Axisa and Mary Jane Azzopardi Mifsud guiding them, the sky is the limit for these promising young robotics enthusiasts.
