The Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) has announced the triumphant team set to represent the UAE in the esteemed 4th Kibo Robot Programming Challenge. Emerging as the national victors, the AUS-IEEE-RAS team from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) will proudly carry the UAE’s banner in this annual international robotics competition. The announcement of the winners, handpicked through a meticulous selection process, was gracefully delivered by astronaut Sultan AlNeyadi, who relayed the news from the International Space Station (ISS).
This collaborative event, co-hosted by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and NASA, offers students a global stage to showcase their advanced programming prowess by maneuvering the Astrobee, a free-flying robot, within a simulated environment. The spotlight will shine on the grand finale this coming September, as competing teams remotely pilot the robot within the Japanese Experiment Module (Kibo) aboard the ISS. The culminating moment will feature the revelation of the top three achievers, culminating in a distinguished award ceremony.
Adnan AlRais, Mission Manager of the UAE Astronaut Programme at MBRSC, resonated with pride and accomplishment, affirming, “This triumph underscores the remarkable talents and innovation our youth possess. As we broaden our presence on the cosmic frontier, events such as the Kibo-RPC emphasize the integration of space science into our education system. We are nurturing not only future astronauts but also contributing to the formation of a knowledge-driven society poised to confront tomorrow’s challenges.”
The selection journey for this year’s Kibo-RPC commenced in February 2023, welcoming participation from multiple universities across the UAE. Among the contenders vying for the coveted position were the victorious AUS-IEEE-RAS team, a constellation of space enthusiasts from Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, a distinguished unit from UAE University, and an accomplished faction from the American University of Sharjah. Each team brought forth a distinctive blend of innovative thinking, problem-solving acumen, and programming expertise.
Following the preliminary stages of application and self-study, the competition shifted gears to the program development phase in April 2023, granting the teams access to a simulated environment for programming purposes. Following a preliminary round in July and subsequent program refinement, the AUS-IEEE-RAS team cemented its place as the UAE’s standout representative.
In the face of the challenge, teams confronted a scenario involving a suspected ammonia leak within the ISS emanating from Kibo’s control systems. Entrusted with safeguarding the astronauts’ well-being, the teams adeptly programmed the Astrobee to locate and mend the leaks, demonstrating their problem-solving prowess within the high-stakes simulation of outer space.
The Kibo-RPC forms part of the larger collaborative endeavor between MBRSC and JAXA, encompassing the Kibo-ABC initiative that empowers students to program free-flying robots aboard the ISS. This partnership builds upon the successes of prior collaborative ventures, including an educational project featuring Emirati astronaut Hazzaa AlMansoori and the Int-Ball, a camera robot stationed within the ISS, in addition to seminars on space robot technologies and spacecraft attitude control.
