Changing the world with robots
Building a better tomorrow: (From left) Siow and Ling having a discussion with fellow participant Ting Chang Yik during the IYRC Asean 2025 held at the EduCity Sports Complex in Iskandar Puteri. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
ISKANDAR PUTERI: What started as a love for animated science fiction has evolved to passion for robotics for 14-year-old Ethan Ling.
The SMJK Nan Hwa student from Sitiawan, Perak said when he was younger, he would watch science fiction movies that have robots in them.
'I have always liked watching robot-themed animations because that is how I see the world will look like in the future.
'Since I am passionate about robots, my school teachers and family really encouraged me to try robotics when I was 11, and since then I have learned so much,' he said when met during the International Youth Robot Competition (IYRC) Asean 2025 at the EduCity Sports Complex here yesterday.
The competition saw over 800 young innovators from seven Asean countries taking part in the two-day event.
He added that he saw IYRC Asean 2025 as more than just a competition among fellow robotics enthusiasts from around the region, but a glimpse into a future he hopes to help build one day.
'Robots are already changing the world. I believe that they can be used to bring benefit to humans.
'I want to be part of that change, maybe as a programmer, but if that does not work out, I would love to be a 3D animator creating robot-themed animation,' he said.
Another participant is 13-year-old Abrielle Siow, from SMK Convent Teluk Intan, Perak, where creating a robot from scratch was a fun challenge for her.
'Learning how to build and code robots is fun. But sometimes it is really hard, especially when the coding part does not go right.
'Now, whenever I go to a bookshop, I will buy some books to learn more about programming, including for this competition where I spent two months in training as part of my preparation,' she said.
Abrielle added that she was looking forward to face other programmers in the competition as it was her first time competing at an Asean-level robotics event.
She said that this was her fourth robotics competition and had participated in several state-level competitions before.
'My dream is to become a doctor like my parents. But maybe one day, I can create robotic technology to help treat people, which would be really cool,' she added.
Meanwhile, IYRC Asean 2025 organising chairwoman Olivia Ooi said the competition was a celebration of science, technology, engineering, mathematics and talents across borders.
'IYRC Asean 2025 is more than just a contest as it ignites the imagination, nurtures friendships and shapes the region's future through collaboration and creativity,' she added.
Ooi also thanked the Johor government, sponsors, educators and parents for their unwavering support in making the event possible.
She said such cooperation has helped shaped future global citizens, where their unwavering commitment to youth development and innovation help drives such initiative forward.
'As Asean continues to emerge as a global hub for innovation and talent, IYRC Asean 2025 stands as a testament to the region's commitment to cross-border collaboration, digital readiness and investment in the next generation of problem-solvers,' she added.
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