SLIIT RoboFest 2024 uniting Sri Lanka’s best minds in robotics concluds on exciting note

The grand finale of SLIIT RoboFest 2024, organised by the Faculty of Engineering at SLIIT, concluded on 1 October at the SLIIT Malabe premises. 

The event marked the culmination of weeks of intense competition, showcasing the nation’s top young talent in robotics. The competition attracted over 150 school team registrations and 175 university team registrations, with 12 university teams and 22 school teams ultimately advancing to the finals.

SLIIT RoboFest 2024 pushed the boundaries of robotics, attracting outstanding interest from students across the country and showcased cutting-edge robotics projects. The enthusiasm highlights the profound impact SLIIT RoboFest has had on young minds over the years, forging a new path into the world of robotics.

Once again SLIIT RoboFest 2024 demonstrated the immense potential of Sri Lanka’s youth in the field of robotics. The innovation and creativity displayed by participants from the schools and universities were inspiring and contributed towards nurturing the next generation of robotics engineers.

SLIIT Dean – Faculty of Engineering Prof. Ayantha Gomes said: “We are extremely pleased at the standard of innovative projects showcased by the participants at SLIIT RoboFest 2024. The competition offers future tech leaders a platform to demonstrate their skills and SLIIT is committed to continue to advance robotics education in Sri Lanka.”

At the exciting finale, Team Mavericks from Badulla Central College emerged as the School Category Champion, while Team Phantom from SLIIT, clinched the title in the University Category. Dialog Axiata Group Chief Analytics and AI Officer Dr. Romesh Ranawana graced the event as the Chief Guest. Dignitaries from SLIIT and the IT industry were also present. 

SLIIT Head – Department of Mechanical Engineering Prof. Migara Liyanage stated: “As we conclude the exciting edition of SLIIT RoboFest 2024, the competition continues to play a crucial role in nurturing young talent in the field of robotics. With its popularity growing we are pleased it has become a platform to build innovation and creativity among students in mechanical engineering education.”

Prior to the finale of SLIIT RoboFest 2024, a series of workshops were conducted for over 30 schools nationwide, led by industry experts and SLIIT faculty members. These workshops provided invaluable insights, networking opportunities, and knowledge sharing among students, academics, and industry professionals in the field of robotics.

The winners in both categories received attractive prizes, certificate and trophies. The success of SLIIT RoboFest 2024 was made possible by the generous support of several sponsors including TV 1 and Sirasa TV, as the official Media Sponsors, GFC Waste Management Ltd. was the Platinum Sponsor, EWIS and SLAM Power Solutions Ltd. as Gold Sponsor, Ceylex Engineering as Silver Sponsor, MEU Labs the Technical Support Partner, the Bronze Sponsors were Voltas, AIA Sri Lanka and SLIR, while the Platform Sponsors were Cubemak Labs and ACCELR.

Assistant Professor Faculty of Engineering Dr. Hansani Weeratunge stated: “SLIIT RoboFest 2024 has sparked a renewed passion for innovation, inspiring the next generation of robotics engineers.” As SLIIT RoboFest 2024 concluded, it created legacy of innovation and a renewed enthusiasm for robotics among Sri Lankan youth, paving the way for future advancements in the field.