Cuet abuzz with robotics and innovation festival

The academic corridors of Chittagong University of Engineering and Technology (Cuet) have transformed into a battlefield, though not one of human combat, but of robot-versus-robot duels.

Inside Academic Building 4, the crowd's eyes were glued to the ground where small robotic cars engaged in strategic football matches. Known as "Soccer Bot," this competition featured two autonomous robo-cars vying to score a tennis ball into a goal within four minutes.

The twist? Each time a bot flipped or malfunctioned, points were deducted. The match quickly became the focal point of Cuet's grand technology celebration.

The event is part of a nationwide festival titled "MIE Robolution 1.0," organised by the Department of Mechatronics and Industrial Engineering (MIE) at Cuet. Over 700 students from more than 41 universities and colleges across Bangladesh have gathered for this three-day celebration of robotics and innovation, which started yesterday (8 May).

The first day of the festival began with seminars led by invited industry professionals and researchers. Discussions centred on the application of robotics in industrial automation and emerging trends in technology. Attendees, mostly students, listened attentively and engaged enthusiastically.

Day two (9 May) brought the energy to its peak with hands-on events like the Soccer Bot challenge, Line Following Robot competition, and the much-anticipated Techathon — an on-site, hardware-software hybrid hackathon that tested both engineering and coding prowess.

The final day, tomorrow (10 May), will host project showcases, CAD modelling competitions, and even a chess tournament. The festival will conclude with a prize-giving ceremony and a cultural programme.

Participants have expressed excitement and appreciation for the event.

Sadab Jasim Hisham, a student from the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), shared that his fascination with motors during childhood led him into the world of robotics. "The competition is thrilling, and the overall organisation is impressive. I'm inspired to dive deeper into research and development," he said.

Saleh Zayed from Chattogram University said, "I grew up watching robotics videos online, and now I'm finally living it. This event motivates me to work on real-world robotics solutions in the future."

Among Cuet's own competitors was Touhidul Islam Emon, a participant in the Techathon. He said, "This is Cuet's first on-site hackathon combining hardware and software. It's been a challenging but fulfilling experience. I hope to see more events like this in the future."

MIE Department Head Prof Dr Prosenjit Das emphasised the deeper goals of the event, "We aim to spark interest in robotics and technology among young minds, encourage innovative thinking, and enhance problem-solving capabilities. This is more than just a competition — it's a platform of inspiration for the next generation of tech leaders."

A total prize pool of Tk3.30 lakh has been allocated for the winners across different segments. The event is supported by a range of sponsors, including CS Lab (title sponsor), along with Iconic, Sinks, Particles, Wyzen, Eclectic, Macro Construction and Engineering, and Factory Next.

CUETNews24, Gazi TV, and The Business Standard are serving as official media partners.