Wins the ABU Robocon 2004

PRESS RELEASE<br />

Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam)<br />

<strong>Wins</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>ABU</strong> <strong>Robocon</strong> <strong>2004</strong><br />

Tokyo, September 13, <strong>2004</strong> - The third <strong>ABU</strong> Asia-Pacific Robot Contest (<strong>ABU</strong><br />

<strong>Robocon</strong>) took place at <strong>the</strong> Olympic Gymnasium in Seoul on 11 th September. This<br />

international robot contest was realized by <strong>the</strong> <strong>ABU</strong> (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union)<br />

membership organizations at <strong>the</strong> call of NHK, to cultivate young engineers and<br />

promote international friendship between <strong>the</strong> countries as well as to enhance quality<br />

of program production in <strong>the</strong> Asia-Pacific region. The first contest was held in 2002 in<br />

Tokyo, and <strong>the</strong> second one in Bangkok. This year, 20 teams from 19 countries/region<br />

of <strong>the</strong> Asia-Pacific competed for <strong>the</strong> performance of <strong>the</strong>ir robots, <strong>the</strong>ir ideas, and <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

teamwork. More than 3,000 people ga<strong>the</strong>red at <strong>the</strong> contest and supported <strong>the</strong> teams.<br />

At <strong>the</strong> opening ceremony, <strong>ABU</strong>/NHK President, Katsuji Ebisawa said,<br />

“I hope this Robot Contest will help raise people’s interest about science and<br />

technology, and contribute to <strong>the</strong> improvement of each country’s technical level. I also<br />

hope that, through <strong>the</strong>ir robot-creation and contest participation, youngsters can<br />

fur<strong>the</strong>r promote mutual understanding among cultures.”<br />

The Grand Prix went to Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (Vietnam). Mr.<br />

Yun-Joo Jung, <strong>the</strong> President & CEO of KBS (Korean Broadcasting System),<br />

presented <strong>the</strong> Grand Prix.<br />

The <strong>ABU</strong> <strong>Robocon</strong> Seoul <strong>2004</strong> Award, which is presented to <strong>the</strong> team that won <strong>the</strong><br />

most appraise from <strong>the</strong> jury members, went to<br />

Mongolian University of Science and<br />

Technology (Mongolia), who efficiently and<br />

effectively utilized limited resources to create<br />

<strong>the</strong>ir robots. NHK President Katsuji Ebisawa<br />

presented <strong>the</strong> Award and praised <strong>the</strong> team’s<br />

efforts.<br />

The University of Tokyo (Japan) was given<br />

<strong>the</strong> Best Artistic Design Award.

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The <strong>the</strong>me of this contest was based on “Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo,” derived from <strong>the</strong><br />

well-known Asian legend of Vega and Altair. A couple called Gyeonwoo and Jiknyeo<br />

are forced to be apart from each o<strong>the</strong>r in each side of <strong>the</strong> Milky Way. They get<br />

reunited only once a year by crossing <strong>the</strong> “Ojak Bridge” formed by magpies and crows<br />

on July 7 th of <strong>the</strong> lunar calendar. The aim of this contest was to compete for<br />

accomplishing “Reunion” by completing <strong>the</strong> unfinished bridge and carrying Golden<br />

Gift by Automatic Machine from “Gyeonwoo Zone” to “Jiknyeo Zone.” Each match<br />

lasts for three minutes. The gymnasium was filled with excitement and enthusiasm<br />

throughout <strong>the</strong> event.<br />

Next year’s event will be held in Beijing, China.<br />

NHK conducted a live broadcast of this contest on its satellite channels—BS2 and<br />

BS-hi (Digital Hi-Vision).<br />

NHK will also broadcast a documentary focusing on Japan team’s efforts. It will air on<br />

NHK General TV on September 23 rd (8:35 - 9:48 a.m.) and on BS-hi on September<br />

25 th (2:30 - 3:43p.m).