This market will see major advances at affordable consumer prices and provide revenue opportunities for a wide variety companies, from small robotics-focused software companies and microcontroller vendors to larger semiconductor vendors and giants like Intel, Microsoft and the major automotive manufacturers. For industrial robots, China is expected to become the largest consumer with 32,000 units by 2014.

Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said at the World Robot Olympiad (WRO), which Malaysia is hosting for the first time said that robotics offered multiple pathways for those who pursued it as a career.

“Encompassing multiple industries and skills, robotics is definitely not a monolithic field with a single career path.

“Robotics is a major growth segment in the industry and there is a marked increased in demand for young and talented robotics professionals to work in the industry,” he said during his speech.

He added that this was what made robotics an effective teaching tool as well.

“Since the study of robotics cuts across several disciplines such as applied physics, mathematics and engineering, this makes it a popular and effective teaching tool for introducing students to the science, technology and mathematics curricula,’’ he added.

Co-organised by the ministry and Sasbadi Sdn Bhd, this year’s WRO hosts the largest number of finalists since its inception in 2004.

Muhyiddin said “the WRO was one of the best platforms to promote interest in science and technology among students through a fun and exciting learning experience”, he said.

During the competition, students have to build and programme robots to complete a series of tasks.

In one of the categories – GEN II Football – the robots have to be programmed to find and move a ball until the ball crosses the opponents’ end zone or goal line.

WRO committee chairman Eugene Zhang said Malaysia was a clear choice to host the competition this year.

“Malaysia is the country with the biggest participation in the competition and there was very strong support from the Government,’’ he added.