Atlas Copco supports robot competition team
July 2019
News
When Atlas Copco became aware that Hoërskool Waterkloof´s robotic team, known as Fifth Order, was looking for assistance to compete at the First Tech Challenge (FTC) in the US, the company came to the fore.
FTC is an international competition, which sees students from Grade 7 to 12, work in teams to design, build, program and operate a robot, that will contend in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance format. The programme aims to develop learners’ science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills as well as enable them to practice engineering principles.
“Atlas Copco is always eager to assist communities and encourage an interest in mathematics and science amongst learners, so what better way to do this than to support a team from South Africa to represent us at the international FTC competition,” says group human resources manager, Wendy Buffa-Pace.
In October 2018, Fifth Order began with their preparation, designing and building their robot, Phoenix, programming it within Java using the LinearOpMode, as well as marketing the team and competition in the local Pretoria newspaper and on Facebook and radio. Fifth Order utilised TensorFlow’s advanced machine learning algorithms to program the required autonomies functions.
The innovative robot features a single mechanised extendable and retractable arm that is fitted with a collection unit to collect the game items and score points. The arm is also used to latch the robot to a hook from where it is lowered onto and off the playing field at the start and conclusion of the game. This is achieved by using a smart servo attached to the arm that opens and closes a latching mechanism. In the build-up to the international competition the team replaced Phoenix’s motors controlling the wheels and mechanised arm with stronger versions and refined the design of the collection unit.
The 2019 competition saw 160 teams from all over the world battle for the coveted title. The Fifth Order team finished 37 out of 80 in the Ochoa division. This is a great result considering that this was Fifth Order’s debut at this competition which is widely known across America.
For more information contact Wendy Buffa-Pace, Atlas Copco, +27 11 821 9800, [email protected], www.atlascopco.com
Further reading:
RS South Africa shapes future engineering talent
RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa is demonstrating that nurturing future engineers goes beyond traditional classrooms or competitions. On STEM Day, the company shone a light on the full spectrum of its educational initiatives.
Read more...
ABB and Compu-Power bring high-efficiency UPS innovation to IS3 X-Change 2025
News
ABB recently participated in the 31st annual IS
3X-Change 2025 in Cape Town, alongside its long-standing channel partner Compu-Power.
Read more...
Meta and partners announce completion of 2Africa subsea cable system
News
Meta, in partnership with leading global and regional telecommunications companies, has announced the completion and activation of the core 2Africa subsea cable system. This marks a historic milestone in digital infrastructure, establishing what the world’s longest open-access subsea cable system.
Read more...
RS South Africa retains Level 2 B-BBEE status
RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa has once again achieved Level 2 B-BBEE verification.
Read more...
SEW-EURODRIVE unveils world class facility in Gqeberha
News
In a landmark event in the Eastern Cape attended by key customers and industry leaders, SEW-EURODRIVE officially opened its expanded state-of-the-art facility in Gqeberha, marking a major milestone in its strategy to strengthen regional support and deepen its footprint in the region.
Read more...
Africa’s brightest young battery innovators
Schneider Electric South Africa
News
Schneider Electric and Enactus, the international NGO dedicated to inspiring students through entrepreneurial action, have announced the winners of the 2025 Energy Transition Battery Innovation Challenge, funded by the Schneider Electric Foundation. It empowers young innovators to design battery solutions addressing the region’s most pressing energy challenges.
Read more...
Africa’s strategic role in powering the global clean energy future
News
The 2026 Africa Energy Indaba is to spotlight Africa’s mineral wealth, industrialisation potential and the urgent need for sustainable value chain development.
Read more...
Crash reconstruction tests advance vehicle safety research
News
The University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Scientific Multidisciplinary Advanced Research Technologies (SMART) Lab recently participated in a series of collaborative crash reconstruction tests held at the Toyota Test Track.
Read more...
Siemens and HD Hyundai to accelerate revitalisation of USA shipbuilding
News
Siemens Digital Industries Software has signed a memorandum of understanding with HD Hyundai to drive the revitalisation and modernisation of the commercial shipbuilding industry in the USA.
Read more...
Accelerating Africa’s smart manufacturing future
News
Automation Day, a dedicated one-day conference within the Manufacturing Indaba 2026, will bring together industry leaders, innovators and policymakers for an in-depth exploration of how automation is reshaping Africa’s manufacturing landscape.
Read more...
printer friendly version