Micromouse contest set for Birmingham

A Technology Innovation Centre product story

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 17, 2003

The microrobotics competition known as Micromouse 2004 is to be hosted by the Technology Innovation Centre (tic) at Birmingham's prestigious Millennium Point on Saturday 19th June 2004.

The microrobotics competition known as Micromouse 2004 is to be hosted by the Technology Innovation Centre (tic) at Birmingham's prestigious Millennium Point on Saturday 19th June 2004.

Micromouse 2004 is the latest event in the world's longest running robotics competition.

Originated in the UK by the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE), it has run for more than 20 years and has been held most recently at Royal Holloway College, University of London.

The event consists of races against the clock between microprocessor controlled robotic "mice" programmed to search and solve complex mazes.

The fastest "micromouse" wins.

There are several technical standards in the competition, with senior and junior categories.

This enables individuals and organisations at different levels of technical skill to enter.

Individuals, clubs, companies, schools, colleges and universities have all competed in past competitions.

The design and construction of these robotic mice is often an element in final year projects for undergraduates studying robotics, electronic engineering and computer science.

This type of robotics competition is also popular in countries such as the USA, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

The many UK entrants can expect to be challenged by overseas competitors at the tic event.

The adoption of the University of Central England's tic as venue for Micromouse 2004 reflects its growing reputation as a leading UK university faculty of technology.

The contest will be overseen by Professor Martin Smith who recently joined the Robotics Group at the tic.

Prof Smith has been at the forefront of the popularisation of robotics which excites young people's interest in science and engineering as a career.

A regular judge on the BBC's Robot Wars and technical presenter for Techno Games, Prof Smith has supported the Micromouse competition in the UK for more than ten years during which the event has become a challenge attracting international interest.

His co-supervisor is Dr Tony Wilcox, who has not only developed the micromouse as a major teaching aid, but also expects to see several tic students competing in Micromouse 2004.

Having developed the tic micromouse platform and integrated this into the engineering curriculum, Dr Wilcox says: "It will be exciting to see our micromice, developed primarily for teaching at tic, compete against the best in the world at a major event hosted by tic.

There will be both staff and student entries.

It is attracting a lot of interest".

Professor Keith Osman, Head of Automatic Identification and Intelligent Systems at tic, says: "I'm delighted we have attracted Micromouse 2004 to the tic.

Mobile robotics presents an attractive aspect of engineering and technology and excites many people.

It also offers tremendous opportunities for involving young people in schools, colleges and universities in technology.

Its importance is recognised by governments around the world and is integral to the educational curriculum in the USA.

We are seeking to raise the profile of this important discipline in the UK".

The reigning British Micromouse champion is local man Dave Woodfield of Bloxwich near Walsall.

He will be pitched head-to-head with World Champion, Dave Otten from the USA at Micromouse 2004 which will be held in the thinktank theatre at Millennium Point.

Full details of the day-long event and how to enter are being sent to potential entrants.

Members of the public will have the opportunity to apply for free tickets to view the event in the new year.