Cromwell College pupils (from left) Cheyana Wilkinson (18),
Duncan Pacey (17) and Katherine Aitken (17) explore the use
of computational intelligence to program a swarm of robots
to clean up oil spills. Photo by Jane Dawber.
Imagine this: a swarm of tiny robots scooting around
containing and collecting spilt oil in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sadly, it is not a reality. But it was an application
Cromwell College pupils Katherine Aitken, Duncan Pacey and
Cheyana Wilkinson devised for "computational intelligence" at
the recent 2010 Otago Technology Innovation Challenge in
Dunedin.
The emerging technology is an offshoot of artificial
intelligence, and is one of several new computer-related
technologies being researched at the University of Otago
information science department.
The other technologies for which the pupils found
applications were location-based mobile augmented reality
(overlaying computer-generated imagery over real-life
images), and telerobotics (micro-computers with
communications abilities).
About 25 secondary-school pupils from around Otago competed
in the event, which challenged them to develop innovative
applications for the technologies.
The day concluded with teams of pupils presenting their
applications to a panel of judges in a three-minute "elevator
pitch", similar in style to the television show Dragon's Den.
Information science department head Prof Martin Purvis said
the Dunedin-based competition had grown in popularity with
secondary-school pupils.
Since it was established in 2007, it has been expanded to
schools in Wellington (in 2009), and this year it will also
be held in Auckland.
"Our main goal is to expose students to emerging technologies
currently being researched by our department.
"By incorporating a business challenge aspect to the event,
it makes students think seriously about new, innovative uses
for those technologies."
• Results. - Computational intelligence: Bayfield High
School (Nick Millman, Jarrad Salmon and Chris Lam);
location-based mobile augmented reality: Otago Boys' High
School (Sam Dent, Jonathan Storm and Shaun Glassford);
telerobotics: Queen's High School (Kathleen Butterfield,
Taiahn Elia and Jacqui Margetts). Overall prize for best
innovative concept: Bayfield High School.
- john.lewis@odt.co.nz
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