The Western Australian Robotics Playoffs and Innovation Challenge have brought together high school students to build industrial-sized robots and establish alliances, underlining the role of technology and automation in modern agriculture.
The State Government-sponsored Innovation Challenge required students to offer solutions to real-world primary industries concerns.
“Just like the mining sector, primary industries are increasingly adopting cutting-edge technology like automation to improve efficiency, safety, productivity and sustainability,” Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis said.
The tasks for this year centred on lowering the impact of depredation in the fishing sector (a term used when a marine predator steals the vessel’s catch) and establishing viable technologies for remote monitoring of sheep on farms.
“We want to encourage bright, enthusiastic and curious minds into the industry, with events like this showcasing the diverse and contemporary opportunities that exist in the agriculture and food sector,” Minister Jarvis stated.
The Minister presented the Innovation Challenge Trophy to Cap-A-Village’s Hudson Donn for his project involving dropping seeds from drones to combat deforestation and climate change.
The weekend event, which drew over 250 students from over 20 schools, is a collaboration between the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Curtin University, and Murdoch University.
“The Western Australian Robotics Playoffs and Innovation Challenge is helping young people make the connection between primary industries and meaningful careers they may not have previously known existed,” Minister Jarvis added.
