Mehrtens matches the mettle of machines

Mehrtens matches the mettle of machines

Legendary ex-All Black and NZ2011 Ambassador Andrew Mehrtens’ mettle was severely tested as he took on the precision of three specifically designed robots in a man versus machine rugby ball kick off today at Auckland’s Victoria Park.

In front of over 100 eager spectators and dozens of cameras, Mehrtens showed nerves of steel as he kept pace with the team of robotic kickers.

The Massey University Albany campus designed robot, complete with a muscular leg and manikin features, managed to draw with Mehrtens after a series of conversion kicks.

While the other two robots competed well, Mehrtens’ proved too much for them on the day.

‘Woderwick’ the robot, which was designed by Massey University’s Palmerston North campus, struggled with both distance and accuracy, while Canterbury University’s robot did extremely well with drop kicks.

The three robotic kickers were designed and built by teams at the University of Canterbury and Massey University’s Albany and Palmerston North campuses with the generous support of pneumatics company SMC and NZICT.

NZ 2011 Office Director Leon Grice says the light-hearted contest during Rugby World Cup 2011 has a serious purpose. “It showcases the innovation of New Zealand’s engineering students and universities which will be increasingly important for our country’s economic success. Making science fun with challenges like this, helps promote engineering as a vocation and nurture future engineers.”

Massey University Associate Professor in Mechatronics Johan Potgieter says that it has been a fantastic challenge for students to create a robot that could possibly out-kick a guy many people believe is super-human.

The event is part of the Rutherford Innovation Showcase and precedes the inaugural Schools’ Robotics World Cup, which will be held in The Cloud during October 11-13 on Auckland’s Queen’s Wharf.

The Schools’ Robotics World Cup will be a three-day competition between 40 robotics teams representing schools and universities from New Zealand and Mexico.

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