Thailand’s first hosting of the World RoboCup’s 2022, welcoming 45 nations to compete between 13-17 July 2022 at BITEC Bangna, expecting to attract over 15,000 spectators

Bangkok, 16 June 2022 – The Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University has teamed up with the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau, in a cross-sector event involving a network of robotics and AI engineering agencies in both state and private educational institutions. Together they will battle for supremacy in the world-class robot engineering event, at the 25th World RoboCup 2022.

Get ready for colorful inventions in robotics and Artificial Intelligence, as well as other future tech between 13 and 17 July 2022 at Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC) Hall EH98-100. More details are available at https://2022.robocup.org/index.php or make additional enquiries at the Facebook page www.facebook.com/egmahidol.

Dr. Junpen Meka-apiruk, Inspector at the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation commented that to meet the needs of economic development and fulfil the development plans for 12 key industries under government policy, MHESI has supported state and private agencies, and institutions of higher education, to jointly host the world-class robotics contest, the 25th World RoboCup 2022. This event is a crucial opportunity to showcase the potential of Thailand’s robotic and AI tech on the global stage. It reflects Thailand’s readiness to host international events as the country reopens. On top of this, it will create confidence for the industrial sector, which needs to upgrade its offerings of products and services with high tech. This is accomplished by picking talented individuals to join the event such as students, startups or business innovators. For the event organization, no less than 3,000 contestants from various robotic leagues in 45 countries are expected to attend, and at least 15,000 spectators. Most vitally, there is confidence that the event will generate greater interest in the robotics industry from the general public, the business sector and the state sector, in the context of a society and economy based on innovation.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jackrit Suthakorn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, and Chairman of the RoboCup 2022 competition said that the competition will be held between 13 and 17 July 2022 at Hall EH98-100 of Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Center (BITEC). There are five categories of competition which comprise the RoboCupSoccer, the RoboCupRescue, the RoboCup@Home and the RoboCupIndustrial. There is also the RoboCupJunior, which is a competition for youngsters at both the provincial and international level giving the chance for Thai kids to learn about robotics and autonomous systems to train their concentration, analysis and calculation skills, as well as learning teamwork. The event will highlight demonstrations of smart robot capabilities by engineering students’ teams from Mahidol University, Kasetsart University and King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi. There is also the team of young people who took the top prize at the MUT RMRC RoboCup, a competition focused on disaster rescue organized by Mahanakorn University of Technology, and a demonstration of agricultural drone technology by HG Robotics Co Ltd.

“To encourage greater growth in the robotics industry, this year the Robotics Association of Thailand has been founded as an independent organization, with the goal of fostering study and manpower in robotics through different events including the World RoboCup 2022, to be held this July. We also have the objective to promote learning in artificial intelligence and robotics. We aim to be the central organization connecting and coordinating proposals or consultations on robotics. We want to upgrade the standards and capabilities of Thai robots, and we remain focused on giving technical cooperation to various organisations in both the government and private sectors, both domestic and international. We have determined policies to produce the industrial personnel required to be in line with the needs of the country and society as a whole.”

This event has been made possible by cooperation with the network of 17 educational and government sectors involved with robotic engineering and artificial intelligence. They comprise the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, Mahidol University, Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, Kasetsart University, Prince of Songkla University, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, King Mongkut’s University of Technology Ladkrabang, Rajamangala University of Technology Phra Nakhon, Rajamangala University of Technology Rattanakosin, Chitralada Technology Institute, Panyapiwat Institute of Management, Dhurakij Pundit University, Southeast Asia University, Mahanakorn University of Technology and the National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC). The event has been generously supported by private sector organizations such as WHA Corporation PCL, SCG Foundation and Seagate Technology (Thailand), with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society present as a witness, added Assoc. Prof. Dr. Jackrit.

Miss Ajarin Pattanapanchai, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society and Principal at the opening ceremony, said that it was a great honor for Thailand to host this large and international-scale competition in technical robotics. The event will promote, support and develop know-how, research and innovation, and also develop teaching faculty, personnel and students to have knowledge and skills in Artificial Intelligence and robotics. There is also operational collaboration, support with technical consulting and other pertinent activities to hosting World RoboCup 2022. Thailand being the host of this big international event in robotics is part of a national strategy to boost competitive capabilities. The goal is to promote and drive research in AI, develop the industrial sector, and promote the national robotics and autonomous systems industry in particular. A network of cooperation has been established to transfer and exchange technical robotics know-how between educational institutions at every level, including leading research organisations worldwide. Most crucially, it is a significant international event for the country after reopening, and will encourage other economic activity to help recover the economy and the tourist industry.

Miss Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairman and Group CEO, WHA Corporation Public Company Limited (WHA Group), the leader of complete solutions in logistics for industrial estates in Thailand, noted that, “Robots and robotics are taking a gradually increasing role and significance in Thai industrial development. This competition is an excellent opportunity to inspire the younger generation in helping push the country forward with digital transformation in the regions, while also growing the ICT ecosystem to be resilient and sustainable. WHA Group, as a supporter of policies to enhance economic growth, and as a leader in complete logistics and other facilities for industry, we are delighted to be part of World RoboCup 2022 as a main sponsor.

“WHA Group has the goal of becoming a Tech Company within the next three years, and we have continued to deploy cutting-edge tech in our business, as part of the SMART ECO Industrial Estates concept. This will promote potential in manufacturing and speed up the digital transformation of our customers. WHA Group is also giving support to many tech startups. We are extremely confident that innovations in robotics and autonomous systems which have been developed will help every sector, including industry, to make progress and have a key role in our future sustainable development.”

Exhibitions at the event will comprise demonstrations of robotic technology and autonomous systems, including the robots which will be competing in each league of the RoboCup 2022 such as Rescue Robots, developed especially for rescue following natural disasters. It has the capability to search for survivors or the dead trapped in destroyed buildings, in places inaccessible to humans. The robot is designed to be mobile on difficult surfaces such as steep slopes, different levels and rough terrain. RoboCup@Home is for robots providing personal services at home. The robots have the ability to interact with humans, and provide convenience for personal needs. There are also the robots which will take part in RoboCupSoccer, which are quite humanoid, and equipped with sensors, cameras and processors in the body of the actual robot, so they can communicate with each other without needing a computer off the pitch.

There will be many other Thai innovations on display such as the Tiger Drone, a pilotless aircraft for modern agriculture. Smart drone innovation is combined with powerful capabilities in the role of agricultural tech to reduce costs and control produce quality. Other systems to watch out for include robotic AI systems for industry, logistics robots, medical and pharmaceutical robots, robots for construction and inspection, and ICT tech. There are new camera and processing technologies for robots and many other things to see - more information can be found at https://2022.robocup.org/index.php or enquire at the Facebook page www.facebook.com/RoboCup2022.