What Can Nature Teach Us? Join the Natural Robotics Contest!

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SUMMARY

The Natural Robotics Contest invites participants to submit designs for nature-inspired robots aimed at solving real-world problems. The contest is open until the end of June and encourages creativity beyond traditional engineering boundaries. A team of professional robotics engineers will transform the winning design into a functional, open-source robot. This initiative aims to promote biomimicry and engage the public in robotics innovation.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of biomimicry principles
  • Basic knowledge of robotics design concepts
  • Familiarity with open-source project frameworks
  • Ability to conceptualize solutions to environmental challenges
NEXT STEPS
  • Research biomimicry applications in robotics
  • Explore open-source robotics platforms like ROS (Robot Operating System)
  • Learn about the design process for functional prototypes
  • Investigate previous successful robotics contests for inspiration
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for roboticists, engineering students, environmental innovators, and anyone interested in applying creativity to technology for ecological solutions.

robjds
Hi!

I'm a roboticist / university lecturer, and I'm running a design contest together with several other universities that I thought might be a great place for all the scientists in this forum! It's called the Natural Robotics Contest: www.naturalroboticscontest.com

All you need is drawing of a nature-inspired robot, that can do something to help the world. And a team of professional robotics engineers will be turning the winning drawing into a real, working (and open-source) robot this summer!

Our main aim is to foster interest in biomimicry, and to let in some creativity from outside of engineering research offices - I often get some great impromptu pitches when I’m talking to the public / visiting schools, so this is a chance to take something off the drawing board that might not otherwise get made. You don't need to be an artist to enter, we're looking for ideas, not drawing ability!

The contest is open for submissions until the end of June. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like to know more!
 

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robjds said:
I'm a roboticist / university lecturer, and I'm running a design contest together with several other universities that I thought might be a great place for all the scientists in this forum! It's called the Natural Robotics Contest: www.naturalroboticscontest.com

Welcome to PF. Interesting project -- have you done this kind of contest before, or is this the first time?
 
I've done this sort of contest in small settings (student classes, public events etc.), this is the first time I've opened it up to the public. And there's now a full team of roboticists on board and we've also been awarded some funding to build the winning design into something very cool!
 
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You must be really confident in your abilities. ( or not care that much if the final result kind of sucks :D) very cool.
 

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