Robots to do battle at the thrilla in Manila

A dozen UAE robots are preparing to do battle in the Philippines this weekend as part of the World Robot Olympiad International Finals.

Students from across the country toiled through the year to create the ultimate robotic fighting machine, and the top 12 teams were selected at the UAE Robot Olympics at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre on September 29.

A delegation from the Abu Dhabi Education Council (Adec) is accompanying the students, who come from six private and six public schools, to Manila.

"We are very proud of the hard work and success of our students who have been accepted to participate in this event," Mugheer Al Khaili, the director general of Adec, said. "Adec has embraced robotics as a fun way to interest students in the fields that are vital to the future of Abu Dhabi.."

Al Ain will send teams from Khalifa bin Zayed School, Al Salah School for Boys and Al Ghaith Boys School. Abu Dhabi will be represented by two teams from Al Mutanabbi Boys School and a team from Al Fateh Girls School.

Six teams from private schools sponsored by Gems education will compete, including Dubai's Our Own Boys School, Al Warqa'a.

Students prepared for the event by assembling and programming their robots to complete a set of missions during the competition.

There will also be one surprise rule that teams will be given this weekend to judge their ability to adapt.

The World Robot Olympiad was first held in 2004, and the UAE sent two teams to compete in 2008.

"We have been committed to actively training and building capacity of our UAE teams through workshops, training of both students and teachers, and distribution of robotic kits to schools," said Kerry Bailey, special advisor on school operations for Adec.

Next year, the international finals will be held in Abu Dhabi.