Gold and silver for Björknäsgymnasiet at the Robot Championship

Robot-SM is a national competition where participants build and program their own robots to compete in various disciplines, such as sumo, line following and freestyle. The events place demands on everything from precision and sensor technology to creativity and programming.

This year’s participation was the first for both the students, Björknäsgymnasiet and the association Maker Norr. Their involvement is part of a collaboration focused on developing young people’s interest in robotics, programming and hands-on technical work.

– For us, participation is not only about competing, but also about gaining experience, finding inspiration and laying the foundation for future local activities in robot sports and technology, say the organisers behind the initiative.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE

For the students, the competition provides an opportunity to put their knowledge into practice. By designing, testing and refining their robots, they work with real technical challenges and develop skills in areas such as electronics, programming, problem-solving and teamwork.

One of the projects that competed was Trygge, an AI-powered companion robot developed to reduce loneliness, particularly among older people. The robot is designed to hold conversations, provide reminders such as medication schedules, and help control simple functions in the home using voice commands.

PART OF A LONG-TERM INITIATIVE

The initiative is part of a growing collaboration between Björknäsgymnasiet and Maker Norr, with the aim of giving more young people the opportunity to work hands-on with modern technology and take part in projects that combine creativity, innovation and problem-solving.

The work has also received support through Meta’s Data Center Community Action Grants program, helping to further develop the initiative and create more opportunities for young people to engage in technology and robot sports.