The field of robotics is not only experiencing an increase in interest around the globe, but is also a forerunner in terms of technological advances and the use thereof. With this in mind the Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences recently joined forces with Binary Space, a technology, science and electronic art interest group in Vanderbijlpark.
According to Malie Zeeman, a lecturer in the School of Computer Science and Information Systems, this collaboration came to being in April of this year. “We are really happy to have Binary Space as a collaborator and supporter,” says Malie and adds that the agreement already saw a successful workshop on electronics hosted on the campus. The team from Binary Space also assists students in preparing for competitions. One such a competition was a recent programming competition that was held and sponsored by Liberty in Sandton, Johannesburg.
“Within three months Binary Space has committed themselves to our shared dream of empowering students in terms of innovation in technology,” says Malie and furthermore adds that it is relationships like these that not only benefit society at large, but also adds value to the NWU’s academic endeavours.
More about robotics at the NWU Vanderbijlpark
Robotics was first introduced in 2008 when a robotics interest group was founded on the campus. Since then the group have grown in leaps and bounds and today the campus boasts a fully equipped robotics laboratory and well established relationships with several local and international robotics organisations such as Robofest, Lego Mindstorm and Binary Space.
In 2011 the group achieved an overall third place in the Robotics Challenge for Engineering students held at the Robotics and Mechatronics Conference hosted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). The next year, 2012, the group took first place at the same conference. In 2016 a campus team took part in the national round of the popular Robofest Championships for students and again the team from Vanderbijlpark obtained not only a first place win but also a second place win.
In terms of community engagement – the team together with collaborators such as Binary Space – are actively involved in efforts to encourage members of the community, especially children, to take part in robotics activities. The NWU support these activities by hosting, sponsoring and serving as judges at local robotics activities, competitions and events such as the annual Lego Mindstorm Challenge and Robofest competitions for schools. During the annual GeeXpo event the group also showcases their projects while offering fun robotics activities to attendees. As from 2014 the campus also supports the organisers of the national Robofest Championships by hosting the event on campus.
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