SA robotics youth team does us proud
28 June 2023
News
Team Texpand, a Cape Town based community robotics team aged from 13 to 16, has represented South Africa at the FIRST World Robotics Championships in Houston running from 19-22 April. The team won first place in the THINK award which is awarded to the team that demonstrates the best solution to removing engineering obstacles through creative and scientific thinking.
This international event is an annual celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) for all youth and results in fun preparation for young people looking towards a career in these fields. The competitions centred around a game that is played by robots, with each team scoring points by their programmed robot picking up cup sized cones and placing them on poles of different heights. In each match, two teams were randomly chosen to collaborate and devise a strategy on how their robots would play the game to win against the other two opposing robots.
In both the Western Cape regional and the SA national competitions, Texpand won the top award for the best team. The criteria included:
• Creative engineering and problem solving.
• Innovative design of the gripper system.
• Multiple sensors to improve robot control.
• Volunteering more than 60 hours of training disadvantaged students in programming, mechanics and mathematics.
The team of Texpand did the country proud by being ranked 25th out of 192 championship teams. Ethan Buckle, the founding member of Texpand, explains their philosophy: “From the start we had our sights set on being the best SA team and qualifying for Worlds. We spent years watching the best teams in the world compete and showcase their robots. It was incredible to get the opportunity to see our hero teams compete in person and to meet and learn from them. Our initial goal was to make sure that we didn’t embarrass ourselves and look like we didn’t belong there.”
The Durban branch of the SAIMC made a donation towards Team Texpand’s costs, and challenges all other branches of the SAIMC to do the same in 2024. Texpand is always looking to partner with companies that are committed to expanding STEM skills in South Africa.
Further reading:
RE+ South Africa 2026: From strategy to execution
News
Taking place at Gallagher Convention Centre in Johannesburg from 02 to 04 June 2026, this new addition to South Africa’s energy landscape introduces a focused commercial and industrial energy event within a proven exhibition platform.
Read more...
Africa Energy Indaba announces 2027 dates
News
Following the continued success and growing global impact of the Africa Energy Indaba, organisers have announced the dates for the 19th edition of the Africa Energy Indaba 2027.
Read more...
RS South Africa named master distributor for the Arduino UNO Q
RS South Africa
News
RS South Africa announced that it has been named Master Distributor for the Arduino UNO Q SBC platform across South Africa and the broader African region.
Read more...
Engineering in a world that cannot assume connectivity
Technews Publishing
Editor's Choice News
Across industrial automation, networking, and defence systems, engineers are rediscovering the importance of resilience and autonomy in an increasingly connected world.
Read more...
IOT secures major industry partnership
IOT Electronics
News
IOT Electronics has announced a new strategic partnership with Powell Electronics, becoming an Official Authorised Reseller in South Africa.
Read more...
Successful Proteus training conference
Dizzy Enterprises
News
Dizzy Enterprises recently hosted two hands-on Proteus Training Conferences, bringing together electronics professionals, designers, and enthusiasts to explore the latest capabilities of the Proteus Design Suite from Labcenter Electronics.
Read more...
Hitachi reinvents asset management solution
News
Hitachi Energy, in collaboration with Microsoft, is accelerating the digital transformation of essential infrastructure - from electricity networks and transportation corridors to heavy industrial operations - by reinventing how critical assets are managed and maintained.
Read more...
Mycronic releases mixed Q4 results
News
Mycronic reported mixed Q4 results for the year ended January to December 2025, while delivering record full year order intake and net sales.
Read more...
AGOA: Businesses should diversify or face significant exposure
News
Cross-border payments platform Verto has called on South African and African businesses to accelerate their transition toward a “post-AGOA” trade strategy following President Donald Trump’s signing of a one-year extension to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Read more...
European components distribution growing
News
European electronic components distribution returned to growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, according to newly released figures from DMASS Europe.
Read more...
printer friendly version