Robot warriors cowboy up in Victoria

Young teams are waging robot wars at Save-onFoods Memorial Centre this week.

Students from B.C., Alberta and as far away as Mexico are putting their problem-solving skills to work at the three-day Canadian Pacific Regional First Robotics Competition, hosted by GSL Group. The contest aims to spark innovation, particularly in promoting development of artificial intelligence, robotics and technology.

First Robotics Canada, a registered charity established in 2001, says its goal is to inspire Canadian grade-school students to pursue careers in science, technology and engineering.

In the competition, teams are judged on the abilities of their robots as they go through an obstacle course picking up, carrying, balancing, and placing yellow cubes.

Nationally, the program engages about 20,000 young adults in competition-based robotics programs.

Final matches in the Victoria competition will be held today 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., and 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. The awards ceremony takes place 4:30 to 6 p.m. It’s all happening at Save-onFoods Memorial Centre, 1925 Blanshard St.

The event’s host, Vancouver-based GSL, is led by president and chief executive officer Graham Lee. The company, which has an array of companies, owns the arena.

Cowboy-hat-wearing members of Calgary’s Team Ghosts — from left, Jessica Rimes, Ian Riley, Martin Riley and Seth Hughes — manoeuvre their robot at the Canadian Pacific Regional First Robotics Competition at Save-on-Memorial Centre. The event winds up...

Volunteers help to reset the field of play at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre.

Shaan Mughal, left, and Jordan Di Raddo with Montreal’s Team Sonic Howl carry their robot onto the field during the Canadian Pacific Regional First Robotics Competition at Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre on Thursday.

Ten Tom Robotics Team, comprised of three schools from West Vancouver school district, work on their robot.