Softec’s 8th Annual Student Robotics EXPO moved to the Alex Madonna Expo Center in SLO this year after 7 years of bursting at the seams at the Elks.
No counts were in by the end of the day but they anticipated 700 to 800 attendees in roughly twice their usual space.
As always the event featured local high school, junior high, and elementary robotics teams to demo their projects as well as representatives from educational leagues, includeing – F.I.R.S.T, First Lego League, VEX, Arduino, and M.A.T.E. – that’s submarines.
Cal Poly folks and robotics enthusiasts from several local businesses and the SLO Maker Space hosted activities for kiddos, but the big idea was the installation of a with prizes judged by sponsor Norcast Telecom Networks.
Cal Fire Station 21 also provided hands on support with a water rank fresh off the chimney fire for the submersible robots to swim around in.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office’s Bomb Squad robot got put trough it’s paces as well, even dancing with R2D2!
With some sponsorship from PG&E as well this year the organization managed more than $7,000 in scholarships to student clubs at the event.