It has kicked off!! Robot army from 45 nations swarms Thailand to compete in RoboCup tournament and deliver industrial solutions

Mind-blowing smart cybernetic experience awaits from 13-17 July at BITEC Bangna Hall EH98-100

Bangkok, 13 July 2022: The Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES), the International RoboCup Federation and WHA Corporation PCL have launched World RoboCup 2022. 45 nations will battle it out with their diverse range of robotic solutions, showcasing various forms of cyber intelligence. There are new measures to promote robotics in Thailand to meet the needs of industrial investors, who also include Smart City projects. For instance, there is a 10-year break on Capital Gains Tax. Promoting robotic engineering courses and attracting talented and competent individuals to the robotics industry is the objective of staging World RoboCup 2022. The large event is composed of two major leagues, Major League and Junior League (RCJ). The Major League breaks down into four categories: a robot football tournament (RoboCupSoccer), a rescue robot competition (RoboCupRescue), a domestic robot competition (RoboCup@Home) and a contest for robotic arms used in industry (RoboCupIndustrial). The Junior League (RoboCupJunior or RCJ) is for youngsters aged from 14 to 19 to show off their inventions and innovations. All can be found from 13 to 17 July at BITEC Bangna Hall EH98-100.

Assoc Prof Dr Jackrit Suthakorn, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Mahidol University, and Chairman of the 25th edition of RoboCup 2022 announced, “World RoboCup 2022 has the objective of stimulus for the exchange and growth of research into cybernetic technology, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. We also aim to train expert personnel with capabilities in AI and robotics, by stimulating the domestic development of engineers, entrepreneurs, inventors, researchers and students. They are a new breed of engineer interested in problem solving and teamwork, with the wish to exchange knowledge, and transfer international-level technology. The event will run from today to 17 July 2022 at BITEC Bangna (Hall EH98-100). The first RoboCup League is the Major League, for competitors aged 19 and up from 13 to 16 July 2022 involving a total 130 rounds of competition. These are subdivided into the four categories RoboCupSoccer, RoboCupRescue, RoboCup@Home and RoboCupIndustrial. The Junior League (RCJ) is for youngsters aged 14 to 19 in 16 rounds of competition. It is part of an educational initiative to support robotics events at the local level up to the international level, for the aid of underprivileged students from primary and secondary level to bachelor’s degree.”

Part 2: Robotics & AI Exhibitions is a forum to showcase products in the categories of smart equipment, robots and electronic control systems, which also includes innovations in artificial intelligence and autonomous systems. At the event will be booths of robotic technology firms showing off their wares, such as robots to deliver medications in hospitals, robots assisting the elderly with mobility and electric wheelchairs to ascend staircases. There has also been innovation in AI systems to distinguish COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) with autonomous high resolution melt analysis. There will be demonstrations of robotic tech to make remote medical diagnoses from the Faculty of Engineering at Mahidol University. The event will also showcase updates of innovation in the logistics space alongside the development of industrial estates, public infrastructure and energy on digital platforms. WHA Corporation PCL will be giving information on innovation strategies and the application of 360 degree technology, from which visitors to the event can visit WHA’s industrial estates. Information will also be provided by virtual AI tech systems. There is special technology from the SCG Foundation and Seagate Technology (Thailand). There are systems to detect chemical residues in agricultural produce, test for contamination of medical equipment, and many other medical innovations from the Faculty of Medicine at Mahidol University. Part 3, Robotics Startup & Pitching, gives opportunities for startups to consult national-level experts, build networks of private sector firms, investors and leading universities, both inside Thailand and abroad, to promote the robotics industry. Finally, there is the RoboCup Symposium, an academic forum for international experts and academics to exchange ideas on various aspects of robotic technology.

Chaiwut Thanakamanusorn, Minister of Digital Economy and Society, commented that the development of “Smart Cities” is a key mission for the Ministry driven by the 20-year strategic plan. This has the goal to build modern cities which at the cutting edge of a new world reliant on digital technology. It applies solutions such as AI, cloud, high speed Internet and robotics to revolutionize travel, transportation, safety, employment and even quality of life and the environment. Robotics in particular are a crucial opportunity for Thailand to create startups of use in industry building huge economic value for the country, which can be an incentive for investment from all over the world. Thailand has now more greatly increased its potential in robotics, and must continue to grow from just the current prototype stage.

“The government has instituted policies to promote startups and give them the capabilities to compete internationally. The government has given a 10-year break on capital gains tax for both Thai and foreign investors investing in Thai startups in the 12 target industries. There is the smart electronics industry, the quality tourist industry, agriculture and biotechnology, the high-value-added food processing industry and the robotics industry. Tax breaks are just a part of our support for Thai robotics startups, to increase their ability to raise capital from investors. The Digital Council of Thailand forecasts that the Capital Gains Tax measures will attract increased investments in startups up to 2026 of 320,000 MB, causing both direct and indirect employment of over 400,000 positions, as well as strengthening the domestic economy with a value of 790,000 MB.”

Dr Danuch Tanterdtid, Deputy Minister for Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation noted that as the host of the 25th World RoboCup 2022, the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation was considering the potential of Thailand’s young people in terms of skills, know-how, capabilities, creative ideas and inventiveness, as the country’s concrete intellectual asset. This approach is consistent with the implementation of the government’s plan to develop 12 target industries according to policy. In particular, these industries include the deployment of robotics in industry and smart electronics, in which a target has been set for Thailand to enter the age of economics driven by innovation, or the Innovative Economy under the Thailand 4.0 model, which has the objective of sustainable economic development.

“The robotics industry is currently worth over 350,400 MB. The global market is forecast to grow over the next five years to a total worth of 1.7 trillion THB. Thus it is a golden opportunity to enhance the educational sector particularly with regard to engineering courses in robotics and associated technology, as well as Thai startup businesses, who will create career opportunities for the quality engineers driving Thailand forward in the future.”

Miss Jareeporn Jarukornsakul, Chairman and Group CEO, WHA Corporation Public Company Limited (WHA Group) said that enterprises now had the key role in developing the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), with the target of creating a cluster of high tech industry in industries of the future such as electric vehicles, aviation, biofuels, bio-chemicals, digital health, robots and robotics. These have come to play an increasingly significant role in developing Thai industries. World RoboCup 2022 can be an inspiration to the younger generation and help to power digital transformation in Thailand’s provinces, while establishing a more resilient and sustainable ecosystem. “As a supporter of policies to promote economic growth, and as a leader in the logistics sector, including integrated industrial estates with every amenity for industry, we have the goal to become a technology company by 2024, by applying cutting-edge technology to every sector of WHA Group’s operations. This will enhance our capabilities and accelerate transformation being fully digital. WHA is delighted to be participating as a headline sponsor of RoboCup 2022. We are confident that innovation in robotics and autonomous systems developed by the competitors from Thailand and another 44 countries will advance every sector, including manufacturing. Our goals also include stimulating interest in the robotics industry among the general public, the business sector and the state sector in general, in the social and economic context of a basis for innovation.”

Prof Dr Peter Stone, President of the International RoboCup Federation, explained that the World RoboCup organized by the International RoboCup Federation as an international robotics competition, originated from the objective to promote global research and development into robotics. Competitions started in 1997, and have run until the present. World RoboCup 2022 will feature teams with over 3,000 participants from 45 countries around the world including USA, Canada, UK, Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, China and Thailand. Finalists receive plaques and certifications of benefit to competition entrants by giving them international-level professional opportunities in the robotics industry. Interested parties can find more details at https://2022.robocup.org/index.php or make inquiries on the Facebook page www.facebook.com/RoboCup2022