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Given our previous experiences in Robocup Competitions both at home and
internationally, we had high hopes of achieving a top-ten finish at this
year’s World Robocup Finals in Atlanta. However, despite our best efforts
we failed to gain such success this time around. After an almost flawless
run at the Irish competition just weeks before the international, we were
confident that the robot would perform well. However, upon arrival in the
USA we discovered that some of the fundamental rules had changed and we
were not aware of some of these (thanks NCI!!) Be that as it may, we had
a day or two before the competition to alter the robot and to negotiate
the newly-designed course. But with such a complex task and little time
to prepare, it was inevitable that our first heat or two would be
difficult.
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However, as the days went by we solved most of the problems and gradually
increased our scores. In the end, the competition we faced from countries
like Israel, China, Japan and Germany was too much, and Ireland will have
to wit a little while longer for its first World Robotics Champions.
It wasn’t all work in Atlanta though, and we made use of the couple of
days we had after the competition to sample the sites of Georgia. Atlanta
is the world headquarters for Coca Cola as well as CNN, and both of these
have excellent guide assisted tours of their buildings. We were fortunate
enough to be there for the July 4th celebrations, which culminated in a
spectacular pyrotechnics display in a huge city park near our hotel. The
weather allowed us to use the hotel pool until late into the night, and
the city is an interesting one to just walk around and observe the people.
We also got to spend a day in Six Flags theme park, complete with its 7
high-speed roller-coasters.
Probably the highlight of our visit was when we went to Stone Mountain
Park, a huge expanse or forests and rocks about 40 miles from Atlanta. It
contains the world’s ‘largest piece of exposed granite’, a fact that will
surely amaze the Geography teachers of
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St Aidan’s. Carved into this granite are likenesses of former leaders of
the confederacy complete with horses, of such a scale that it makes Mount
Rushmore seem minute. A laser-light and fireworks extravaganza ended the
day there.
The entire experience was one that will remain with us for the rest of
our lives. We understand how privileged we were to be able to compete in
a World Final while in school, and for this we are very grateful. Without
certain people it would never have happened. Mr Duffy and Mr Reynolds
campaigned tirelessly to raise money for us. Mr Deneher organised the
fundraising, booked the trip and kept an eye on us in the States. Our
sponsors, listed below made it possible for us to attend, compete and
have the experience of a lifetime. We would urge you to support them as a
sign of our gratitude. The entire St Aidan’s community of teachers,
pupils and parents got behind us and helped out, whether with advice,
support or much-needed funds. Our sincerest thanks go out to you all.Your
generosity helped enrich our lives.
(Andrew Jordan, Aaron Kennedy, Eoin Mc Cormack, Kevin Reilly)
Sponsors: Omni Centre, Dublin City Counci, Caroutech Ltd, Paddy Power
Bookmakers, AIB - Artane
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St Aidan's CBS, Whitehall, Dublin, Ireland
