Thailand will host RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017, the region’s first-ever robot competition, in conjunction with Thailand Robotics Week 2017. Complementing Thailand 4.0 policy, these forums will pave way for Thai startups in the field of robotics and automation to pitch their ideas to Thai/foreign investors for venture capital. Famous experts will also join the events as seminar speakers. Both events will be held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC) from December 14 to 17, and at the Mahidol University’s Salaya Campus on December 18.

Asst.Prof.Dr. Jackrit Suthakorn, the General Chair organizing Thailand Robotics Week 2017 and RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017, says, “The International RoboCup Federation has organized the World RoboCup contest since 1997 to encourage robotics researches and development across the globe. This big international robot competition has successfully paved way for collaboration and exchanges of academic knowledge in the robotic field among educational institutes and reseach institutions at all levels. World RoboCup, in return, has fast won growing interest. Now, more than 3,000 contestants from 45 nations have joined this competition. The number of contestants has also been increasing every year”.

“Thailand first joined the World RoboCup in 2002. By now, Thai teams have already won RoboCupRescue and RoboCupSoccer championships in some years. Just as Thailand’s robotics has progressed significantly, the Thai government has also seriously promoted robotics development. The International RoboCup Federation, therefore, is confident that Thailand will be able to successfully host the RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017 (RCAP 2017) or the first robot competition in Asia-Pacific region. This regional competition is aimed at promoting research and development for robot and automation-system technologies, producing human resources for the fields, developing networks of robot inventors, and raising robot-industry standards in the region. The contest will be a part of the Thailand Robotics Week, which is scheduled to take place at the at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center (BITEC) from December 14 to 17, and at the Mahidol University’s Salaya Campus on December 18,” he continues.
 
“As the host of RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017, Thailand is encouraged to constantly develop its robotics research and development. The move goes well with Thailand 4.0 policy, which prescribes innovation-driven development for the country. Under the policy, robotics and automation system constitute one of five future industries or New S-Curve. The Thailand Robotics Week 2017, meanwhile, has a wider range of targets. Its targets cover not just students or government agencies but also startups, software developers, system integrators, entrepreneurs in various industries, as well as financial institutes, investors, or venture-capital providers. In all, RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017 and Thailand Robotics Week 2017 will be the stepping stone for Thailand to host World RoboCup 2021,” Asst.Prof.Dr. Jackrit continues.
 
Thailand Robotics Week 2017 will have four zones: International Robotics Exhibitions; Robotics Start Up & Pitching Forum; RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017 and RoboCup Asia-Pacific Robotics Symposium.
 
RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017, meanwhile, is expected to attract more than 1,000 contestants from across Asia-Pacific or from more than 25 nations. At present, more than 130 teams have already registered their participation. These participants are divided into two groups. The first group is for participants in the RoboCupJunior League or the contest for those aged no more than 19 years old. The RoboCupJunior League has four categories: RCJSoccer, RCJRescue, RCJOnstage, and RCJCo-Space. The second group is for participants in RoboCup Major League or the contest for those aged over 19 years old. The RoboCup Major League has four categories (RoboCupSoccer, RoboCupRescue, RoboCup@Home, RCJCo-Space and four new categories known as RCAP Challenges. Added at the RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017 are four new types of competions: CoSpace Logistic Challenge, CoSpace Grand Prix Challenge, CoSpace Recue Challenge and CoSpace Small Size League Challenge.

At the International Robotics Exhibitions, more than 20 system integrators from Thailand’s Robotics Cluster and educational institutes, both privately-run and state-owned, will join in as exhibitors. The world-class exhibition on the World Robot Summit will also be a highlight in this zone. The Japanese government is going to stage this important summit in 2020 - which is designated as the golden year for Japan’s robotics industry.
 
Another big highlight of Thailand Robotics Week 2017 surrounds its Robotics Start Up & Pitching Forum. Here, startups producing robots and automation systems will exchange their ideas with experts and take part in a pitching contest. Thai and foreign investors will listen to their presentation, offering them opportunities to access venture capital.

Asst.Prof.Dr. Jackrit says, “Between 30 and 40 startup teams are expected to pitch their ideas for the venture capital at our forum, as about 30 financial-institute representatives will likely show up for their presentation. To join the forum, startups must prepare ideas on how to use robots, automation, artificial intelligence or IoT (Internet of Thing) in improving industries or solving their problems”.

The Robotics Symposium is also a core part of the Thailand Robotics Week 2017. At this international conference, participants will exchange their information and knowledge. On stage will be internationally-recognized experts in the field.
 
“Designed to bring Thailand’s robotics industry to par with international standards, Thailand Robotics Week 2017 and RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2017 will take place through the collaboration of the private, government and educational sectors. The Mahidol University, N.C.C. International Events Company Limited, the Thai Robotics Society, and the International RoboCup Federation have joined forces in making these events happen. Support also comes from Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) Public Organization and various government agencies such as the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Ministry of Science, the Ministry of Industry, and the Department of Science Service. Several leading educational institutes have also made contributions to the events. Among them are Mahidol University, the Chulalongkorn Univerrsity, the Kasetsart University, the King Mongkut’s University of Technology Thonburi, the King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok, the King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, and the Prince of Songkla University,” Asst.Prof.Dr. Jackrit concludes.