March 13, 2023: Pune, InfinityX STEM Foundation and COEP Technological University organised FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship 2022-23, the largest Robotics Competition for School & Junior College Students at Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Badminton Stadium, Mhalunge – Balewadi from March 10-12, 2023
The competition was inaugurated on March 10th in the presence of dignitaries Mr. Ashvin Savant – Chairman of InfinityX Stem Foundation, Mr. Samuel Plasmati – International Field Operations Manager FIRST USA (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology), Padmashree Shri Pramod Kale – Ex Director ISRO, Dr. Sanjay Chordiya – Founder Chairman of Suryadatta Institute, Mr. Mahesh Masurkar – Director John Deere, Mr. Aakanksha Sane- Head HR, PTC, Mr Nilesh Shah – Lead Mentor Team R Factor 6024 & Managing Director, MESCO Springs, and other dignitaries.
Team Lab Fusion from India won the most prestigious “Inspire Award” and Team Autovortex from Romania won the “Winning Alliance Captain Award”. Team Lab Fusion will represent India at the FIRST World Championship in Houston, USA from April 19-22, 2023. The organizers will provide mentorship to the FTC India winner to prepare them for FTC USA championship.
The semi-finals, final round and the Award Ceremony held on March 12th in presence of dignitaries like Professor Padmakumar Nair- Vice Chancellor Thapar University, Prof Mukul Sutaone- Vice Chancellor COEP Technological University, Dr. Sanjay Chordiya- Founder Chairman of Suryadatta Institute, Dr P. A. Inamdar- President of Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education society, Mr Mahesh Masurkar- Sr Director , John Deere and Mr Ashvin Savant, Founder and CEO, InfinityX and others.
FTC India National Championship had 71 participating teams from across India, including Pune, Leh, Lakhimpur, Mumbai, New Delhi, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam. Eight International Teams from countries like Romania, Kazakhstan, Russia and Israel too participated in the competition.
FIRST Tech Challenge, a theme-based robotics competition is presented by FIRST, USA (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) which was founded by Dean Kamen and Woodie Flowers in 1989 to inspire young people’s interest and participation in science and technology.
It is a not-for-profit, public charity designs accessible, innovative programs that motivate young people to pursue education and career opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM), while building self-confidence, knowledge. Its philosophy is expressed by the organisation as coopertition (co-operation and competition) and gracious professionalism (that encourages teamwork with high-quality work, emphasizes the value of others, and respects individuals and the community).
FTC competition was introduced by PTC in India 2009-10 in collaboration with NRB Bearings Ltd and since 2011-12, FTC is being organized every year for students in grades 7-12 (age group of 12 to 18 years). Teams, with the guidance of coaches, mentors and volunteers, are required to develop strategy and build robots based on innovative, sound engineering principles.
The theme for this year’s competition was ‘Power Play’, where teams build robots to build energy grids and maximise the efficiency. The competition combines science & technology with the excitement of sports. Teams play a series of high energy, thrilling 2min 30 sec matches based on Alliance Team format which test the limits of performance, efficiency, and endurance of their robots. After a series of qualification matches, high ranked teams choose their Alliance Teams to play in the elimination matches for the semi-finals and finals
Participating teams included special teams from several rural schools, corporation run schools, state run schools as well as international schools. This year’s competition included a team from school for deaf children in Mumbai, a team from the slums of Dharavi, Mumbai and teams from Municipal Corporation schools from Bangalore, Chennai, Pune and Delhi respectively. A team from remote area of Kurnool, a team from rural village near Delhi, teams from remote locations in Ladakh highlighted the diversity of the competition which is designed to be “More Than Robots”
Each team was provided with a robotics kit by the organizers at the competition and since the building of robots requires knowledge of mechanics and electronics, there were mentors who guided the students in understanding the theme of the competition and build the robot accordingly. Similarly, Qualcomm, John Deere and Dow along with InfinityX STEM Foundation, a not-for-profit organization sponsored 20 robotic kits to the students from lower strata of society to encourage their participation.
“With 30 teams participating in 2019, and 47 teams in 2020, and now whopping 71 teams and 10 international teams, the objective of FTC is to promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education among students in India” said, Mr. Samuel Plasmati International Field Operations Manager, FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology).
This year a total number of 71 Teams participated in the FIRST Tech Challenge India Championship 2022-23.
It is observed that students participating in FTC perform better in their educational career as it helps them build their self-confidence, knowledge and life-skills,” said Ashvin B Savant, Founder and CEO, InfinityX.
FTC is supported by Qualcomm as Presenting Partner. It has been also supported by NRB Bearings Ltd., PTC, John Deere, BVG India, Travwold, FIAT India, DOW, Bajaj Auto Ltd, Capgemini, Maharashtra Cosmopolitan Education Society, and other corporates joining the event. FTC has been endorsed by ARAI, STPI, SEAP, SAE India, COEP Technological University, Vishwakarma University and Savitribai Phule Pune University.
