ROBOT BRINGS CHRISTMAS MAGIC TO THE CLASSROOM

As part of Fanuc's ongoing commitment to developing the future generation of robotic engineers, the company worked in collaboration with schoolchildren to design and create a Christmas message using the power of robots. The pupils interacted with the robot to co-create a card and video message, learning the rudimentary skills that provide the building blocks to a future career in robotics. Readers can view the video on You Tube – see link below. Headteacher Laura Woods said: "Having a robot in the classroom allows children to develop an understanding that ICT skills can be applied to a variety of different vocations. The fact that robotics is so exciting and inspiring could help to direct schoolchildren down that path in the future." Chris Sumner, managing director of Fanuc UK, added: "If the UK is to compete with competitor economies on the international stage, in fields as diverse as manufacturing and healthcare, it is vital that it improves its capabilities in robotics; and this starts in the classroom." "Interaction with robots from an early age is a great way to get kids excited about STEM subjects, and building this awareness and understanding is the first step in developing the robotics engineers of tomorrow." The International Federation of Robotics predicts that worldwide robot installations for 2014 will show an increase of at least 15% on 2013 and growth will continue on average by 12% per year until 2017. Technical training programs with FANUC robots and automation combine academic, technical and employability skills that will help companies overcome the current shortage of workers with STEM skills (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).