Robohub.org
 

Future engineers build their own six-legged autonomous robots at Robot Camp


by
08 September 2016



share this:
Credit: RoboValley

Credit: RoboValley

By: Rob van Dorp

A room full of kids and it’s quiet. The only sound is an occasional question. They’re all deeply concentrated on one task. These kids are participating in the first Robot Camp organised by Science Centre Delft. At the end of the three-day long camp, they will have built their own Zebro, a six-legged autonomous robot inspired by insects.

Robot Camp is an initiative by Science Centre Delft, in cooperation with Delft University of Technology Robotics Institute. Meant for high-school students of VWO-level between the ages of 14 and 16, they build and program their own robot. On day three, their robots compete against each other. The robot is, of course, theirs to keep afterwards.

After receiving initial instructions and some background information about the robot, the kids were left with an instruction manual and the parts to build their very own robot. Helpful personnel from the Science Centre and Delft University of Technology are there to answer questions and assist where needed. Professor Chris Verhoeven was amongst them to help out as well.

Credit: RoboValley

Credit: RoboValley

The Robot Camp is an important event for Chris Verhoeven. According to Verhoeven, you can’t become an engineer, you’re born as one. “The Robot Camp is meant to help you realise that you are an engineer.” It’s extremely important that kids of this age that have been taught to think on an academic level, realise that. This helps them make the right decisions for their future education.

Zebros everywhere

While we were there, Chris Verhoeven showed us various Zebro models that are currently being built by the Robotics Institute. There was the familiar smaller Zebro, which we have seen before. We also got to see a very large Zebro, strong enough to carry a person once it’s finished. One of the other Zebros was programmed to be controlled with a tablet. With the press of a button, you can guide the robot in the right direction and turn its sensors on or off. This is the Zebro that’s also being built by the kids at the camp.

Pretty soon, there will be a lot more Zebros walking around. Not just because of the summer camp, but because the university is ramping up production. The Zebro has a lot of capabilities. Due to the various sizes they come in, Zebros can be deployed in a wide array of environments and situations, from exploring the surface of the Moon or Mars to walking around buildings.

But for now, the participants of the Robot Camp are still building their Zebro. Soon they will compete to see who has built the best one. Keep an eye out because these kids are the engineers of the future and will eventually be building robots of their own design.



tags:


RoboValley is a new centre for robotics powered by TU Delft and the Robotics Institute.
RoboValley is a new centre for robotics powered by TU Delft and the Robotics Institute.





Related posts :



Robot Talk Episode 128 – Making microrobots move, with Ali K. Hoshiar

  10 Oct 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Ali K. Hoshiar from University of Essex about how microrobots move and work together.

Interview with Zahra Ghorrati: developing frameworks for human activity recognition using wearable sensors

and   08 Oct 2025
Zahra tells us more about her research on wearable technology.

Women in robotics you need to know about 2025

  06 Oct 2025
This global list celebrates women's impact across the robotics ecosystem and globe.

Robot Talk Episode 127 – Robots exploring other planets, with Frances Zhu

  03 Oct 2025
In the latest episode of the Robot Talk podcast, Claire chatted to Frances Zhu from the Colorado School of Mines about intelligent robotic systems for space exploration.

Rethinking how robots move: Light and AI drive precise motion in soft robotic arm

  01 Oct 2025
Researchers at Rice University have developed a soft robotic arm capable of performing complex tasks.

RoboCup Logistics League: an interview with Alexander Ferrein, Till Hofmann and Wataru Uemura

and   25 Sep 2025
Find out more about the RoboCup league focused on production logistics and the planning.

Drones and Droids: a co-operative strategy game

  22 Sep 2025
Scottish Association for Marine Science is running a crowdfunding campaign for educational card game.



 

Robohub is supported by:




Would you like to learn how to tell impactful stories about your robot or AI system?


scicomm
training the next generation of science communicators in robotics & AI


 












©2025.05 - Association for the Understanding of Artificial Intelligence