Agrinio, August 23, 2024 - A team of teenagers from Greece recently participated in the prestigious RoboCup competition in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, showing off their growing computer and engineering skills. Trained at MakerLab, Greece’s only robotics lab competing at this high level, the young innovators took on the challenges in the RoboCupJunior league.
RoboCup, the much-talked-about international robotics competition, has become synonymous with innovation, teamwork, and educational excellence since its inception in 1997. Designed to promote robotics and AI research, RoboCup's ultimate goal is to develop a team of fully autonomous humanoid robots capable of defeating the human world soccer champions by 2050. This ambitious objective sparks the imagination and creativity of inventors from all over the world - including a unique group of teenagers from Agrinio.
Practice, practice, practice…
The Greek team’s journey began at MakerLab, a robotics and STEM teaching lab for children, where they have been enrolled from young ages. The six students, aged 14 to 17, were selected based on their enthusiasm for the topic, their commitment, and previous participation in competitions like FIRA RoboWorldCup and IRO.
Before they could set off to Eindhoven the team and their mentor, the founder of MakerLab Panagiotis Theocharis, dedicated three months to hardcore preparations at the lab's Agrinio branch. Their work involved not only technical tasks such as designing, building and testing, but also crucial aspects like strategic planning and problem-solving. “We were eating, sleeping and breathing nothing but robotics for three months straight”, says Theocharis of the intense months leading up to RoboCup. “We were all exhausted, but the excitement of the project and our upcoming trip kept us going. It was clear to see that our kids were not going to show up in Eindhoven unprepared; they committed themselves 100% to the task”.
“We were all exhausted, but the excitement of the project and our upcoming trip kept us going. It was clear to see that our kids were not going to show up in Eindhoven unprepared; they committed themselves 100% to the task”
Experiences at RoboCup
At RoboCup, the Greek team suddenly found themselves in an extremely competitive environment. The challenges were hard, and there were a lot of nerves amongst all the participants. “Luckily, they know each other well, and understand what each of their roles are in a team. We have taught them the importance of being team players and taking responsibility, so they kept their cool and stuck to their assignments, even when the competition was tough. We were really proud of them”, says Theocharis.
One of the categories at RoboCupJunior was the Rescue Maze. The team was tasked with building a robot capable of navigating a complex maze while looking for victims in need of rescue. The robot gets points for each victim found, and for each rescue kit delivered. Although the robots sometimes got in trouble and did not always perform as expected, the team's careful planning and ability to adapt on the fly came in handy, and they managed to finish in good time.
An important aspect of the competition was scientific documentation. The Greek team’s efforts in documenting their processes and conclusions demonstrated their understanding of the underlying principles of their robot design. This showed their ability to communicate their work clearly and effectively, very important skills for future scientists and engineers, and they were proud to end up placing 5th in the competition.
More challenges coming up
The teens’ experience at RoboCup is a step toward more international competitions. They had a fantastic time, and are planning to participate in more events. They are also getting ambitious: at the next RoboCup, which is taking place in Brazil in 2025, they will
move a step up from the Junior competitions, and participate in the RMRC (Rapidly Manufacturing Robot Challenge) - an event that mixes high school students, university students, and professional engineers in interesting no-age-limit teams. This competition offers the teens a chance to work with, and learn from, experienced professionals, which will help develop their skills and broaden their view in the world of robotics.
Bitten by robotics
Participating in RoboCup has had a huge impact on the Greek teens. The experience has not only improved their technical skills, but also polished up on essential life skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, and mental stamina. These skills are important as they continue to shape their educational and career goals, with most now considering futures in STEM fields.
The team’s experiences have also created waves amongst their friends and within their local communities, inspiring others to learn about robotics and how this field is rapidly developing. Their story highlights the potential of Greek youth to make their mark on an international stage, and serves as motivation for others to follow their passions and enroll in STEM education.
About MakerLab
Founded by Panagiotis Theocharis and Vasiliki Pantoula, MakerLab is a leading center for young students who want to learn about robotics, engineering, coding, AI and other important STEM fields for tomorrow's workforce. The vision for MakerLab was clear from the beginning: to create an environment where students could deeply engage with technology and robotics from a young age. His motivation comes from a desire to tackle new challenges, and to encourage a community of individuals with shared interests in innovation and technology.
“What kids learn in schools now is not enough to prepare them for the jobs of tomorrow. We expand their curriculum with crucial topics, and keep them up-to-date on new technological advances,” explains Theocharis.
A fundamental element of MakerLab’s pedagogical approach is teaching students to think for themselves and learn computational thinking. Unlike traditional learning environments where students often follow predefined paths, MakerLab encourages students to explore, experiment, and solve problems independently.
Computational thinking involves breaking down complex problems into manageable parts, identifying patterns, and working out step-by-step solutions. At MakerLab, students are not just learning how to code or build robots—they are learning how to think systematically and solve problems with a logical mindset.