Questacon Receives Robotic Gift from Japan

11 March 2009

Several robots were today presented to Questacon—The National Science and Technology Centre as a gift from Japan. Minister Masami Kinefuchi, Embassy of Japan, presented the robots to Professor Graham Durant, Questacon Director, to mark the end of Questacon’s 20th Anniversary celebrations.

The ceremony concluded the Japan-Australia Robot Festival in which Questacon visitors witnessed the robots being put through their paces by their Japanese creators. Local school children also participated in robotics workshops led by the creators of the robots and Questacon staff.

“We are delighted to celebrate the ongoing relationship between Australia and Japan and our special association with Questacon. The presentation of these robots is in recognition of Questacon’s 20th Anniversary as a joint Australia-Japan Bicentennial Project” said Minister Masami Kinefuchi, Embassy of Japan.

Professor Graham Durant reflected on Japan’s work with traditional and modern applications of robotics. “20 years ago, Questacon received a gift of two Karakuri dolls, examples of Japan’s earliest form of robotics, and today we are excited to receive these robots; created by Japan’s young innovators. We hope the Japan- Australia Robot Festival has inspired visitors to follow their own innovative path in science and technology,” said Graham Durant.

The robots presented to Questacon today were designed by Japanese students and are recent champions of ROBOCON, Japan’s annual robot design contest. The robots will feature in future programs and workshops at Questacon to demonstrate how different forms of robotics are used in everyday life.

‘Kurupon’ designed by Kitakyusyu National College of Technology and ‘Rolling Patchin Go’ designed by Oita National College of Technology were champions of the ROBOCON 2007 Samurai Robot Battle. Each team created robots to participate in a battle in which the winning robot captures more flags from the other team during a three minute contest.

‘Movement’ designed by Okinawa National College of Technology won the ROBOCON 2008 Robo-Evolution competition in which students were challenged to create a robot that could move like an animal through an obstacle course.

Questacon opened in 1988 as a joint Australia-Japan Bicentennial Project. The Japanese Government and business community contributed half the cost of the building, the hub for Questacon’s national and international activities.

The Japan-Australia Robot Festival was supported by the Japan Australia Business Cooperation Committee, NHK Enterprises, Japan Airlines and the Embassy of Japan.