Robot may inspire young to change world

Jun 9 2009 By The Journal

THE world's most advanced humanoid robot is the top attraction at a show hoped to inspire students to become engineers.

A team attempting to break the land speed record and the technology that powers the world’s video games industry will all be featured in this year’s Youth Engineering Show, which rolls into the region on June 23 - 25 at Rainton Meadows Arena, Houghton le Spring.

Last year, YES provided an opportunity for 4,000 year 7 and 8 students to sample first hand the importance of engineering in modern day life. This year about 7,000 will visit the event, which provides an appreciation of the range of career options available in this diverse field.

YES is a fast-moving 85-minute event, featuring presentations, interviews, demonstrations and videos about the world of engineering – as well as a headlining visit from Honda’s robot Asimo, which made its UK debut at the event in Newcastle last year.

One North East manufacturing and productivity manager Dr Colin Herron said: "Engineering is an exciting, fast-moving career and applies to all industries, from designing satellites that will chart new worlds to creating something that will squeeze juice from an orange!

"The YES provides a fantastic opportunity for youngsters from the North East to see the diverse range of career options available, whether it’s in manufacturing, production or construction.

"The North East has a proud history of nurturing creative engineering talent – from the men who built our railways to the man who designed the iPod, the region has played its part in some of history’s great engineering feats. Hopefully, the YES will help inspire future innovators and demonstrate how engineering can change the world."

BAE Systems plans to demonstrate its new thermal imaging and heat seeking equipment and show how it is used during the day and at night. Subsea company Perry Slingsby will demonstrate remote-controlled machines used to maintain oil pipelines on the North Sea bed.

The vehicles perform many of the more dangerous tasks required by oil rigs and help submarines when they get into difficulty. Nissan will again attend the event. The Japanese motor giant will focus on the engineering skills used in car safety and the future challenges faced by the industry.

The Bloodhound SSC Team is attempting to break the world land speed record by reaching a speed of more than 1,000mph.