We had the chance to work with Roboticist Tomotaka Takahashi, creator of the Volta Robot, and his team from Japan in the Evolta World Challenge I: Hawaii Triathlon, held here in Kona.
The Evolta World Challenge is a yearly challenge that Takahashi takes on, building robots powered by Panasonic batteries. This partnership began the Evolta challenge. During each challenge, the robot must complete a challenge using the same three batteries throughout the entire race. If the batteries run out of charge, the robot must stop and recharge. These challenged proc the power of Panasonic batteries and bring publicity to Mr. Takahashi and his robot Evolta.
The Evolta World Challenge is a yearly challenge that Takahashi takes on, building robots powered by Panasonic batteries. This partnership began the Evolta challenge. During each challenge, the robot must complete a challenge using the same three batteries throughout the entire race. If the batteries run out of charge, the robot must stop and recharge. These challenged proc the power of Panasonic batteries and bring publicity to Mr. Takahashi and his robot Evolta.
The challenge Evolta has completed includes climbing the Grand Canyon and driving 24-hours non-stop around NASCAR raceway. The fourth Evolta Challenge was the most difficult triathlon in the world, the Ironman.
On October 23, 2011, the fourth Evolta challenge commenced. The Evolta Robot swam, bicycled and ran to victory. Three different Evolta robotics modified for each leg of the race was created by Mr. Takahashi, these Evolta robots completed the entire race. The only difference between and Ironman Triathlete and Evolta was their size. The robot measuring ten times smaller than a human, therefore the Evolta had ten times the amount of time; approximately seven days.
On October 23, 2011, the fourth Evolta challenge commenced. The Evolta Robot swam, bicycled and ran to victory. Three different Evolta robotics modified for each leg of the race was created by Mr. Takahashi, these Evolta robots completed the entire race. The only difference between and Ironman Triathlete and Evolta was their size. The robot measuring ten times smaller than a human, therefore the Evolta had ten times the amount of time; approximately seven days.
Over the course of seven days, the Evolta robot swam, bicycled, and ran the entire Ironman route, facing challenges on the way. Volta saw a lot of support from our community members and many touring the island. The race was broadcasted on the internet to viewers around the world. On the seventh day of challenge, nearly every person on the island knew about the challenge and was there to support Evolta at the end of the competition. We supported Evolta from the whole way. During the seven-day triathlon, we were able to invite Mr. Takahashi to give a presentation to a local FLL competition at Kahakai Elementary. |
The elementary and middle school students were excited to see two of the three Evolta robots in person; the third person was occupied in the running stage of the triathlon. Mr. Takahashi explained the Evolta Challenge as well as some of his previous robots, such as the first female robot and soccer bots. He showed how the robot followed a sensor to move. The young students were certainly awestruck.
On the last day of the triathlon, hundred of fans watched the robot make its way to the finish line. People were honking and yelling their supports for Evolta, cheering the small bot towards the end. Many people crowded the finish line chanting "Evolta!" until the team arrived at the finish lie. Once the bot complete the strenuous challenge, champagne was shot in the air, celebrating another completed Evolta challenge. |