Activity Report of Open Application Program 2022 vol.17 (Course C)
Technical training for practical robot creation to participate in robotics contests
Report from National Institute of Technology (KOSEN), Miyakonojo College
From December 2 to 9, 2022, we invited nine students and two teachers from three Mongolian Kosen (Mongol Kosen College of Technology, New Mongol College of Technology, Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) Kosen College of Technology) that are participating in the Asia−Pacific Robot Contest (ABU Robocon) and KOSEN Deep Learning Contest (DCON) for technical training as part of the Sakura Science Program. During the training, three students participating in ABU Robocon and six students participating in DCON were involved in technological exchanges with students entering robotics contests from our school as they worked towards the contests.
The students participating in the robotics contests made use of machining facilities in our school that are not available in the Mongol Kosen, focusing on creating robot parts. In Mongol Kosen, there aren't enough facilities for training in the production of machine parts to be used in robots, so using our facilities during this exchange program will lead to following up on production training in Mongolia. The students were really in their element, forgetting the passage of time and focusing on machining robot components. We believe that the students who experienced the process of manufacturing in Japan were able to spend a meaningful time here.
The students participating in DCON made use of a laser beam machine, 3D printer, and other equipment, experiencing the work involved in making an idea into reality with high effectiveness. Currently, the time needed for prototype creation in the manufacturing field is shortening, so using laser beam machines and 3D printers is a natural choice. The Mongol Kosen don't have laser beam machines, and the students were surprised at their processing speed. We feel that being able to use cutting−edge equipment really stimulated the students from the Mongol Kosen. The experience of creating devices that use AI with a single board computer surely gave the students great confidence.
In principle, technical guidance for the training was given by our staff, but after the sessions, our school's Robocon students also got involved and provided support while carrying out exchanges with the Mongol Kosen students. The Mongol Kosen students took Japanese classes, and using the knowledge they gained in these classes, did their best to communicate in Japanese. At first, it seemed there was some distance, but with time their Japanese became free−flowing and we saw active student exchanges.
The program had a tight schedule, but during this period the Mongol Kosen students, who hadn't seen the sea before, toured the factory of a local company and enjoyed the beautiful sea off Miyazaki. Graduates of the Mongol Kosen work at the company the students toured, and the students who hope to find employment in Japan listened closely to their accounts. The factory contains rows of machinery for meat processing, which were developed to order, and the design developer was faced with repeated questions from the students, who demonstrated their interest.
The Mongol Kosen students' trip to the unknown world of the ocean started with a dolphin show. They were overwhelmed by the dolphins' jumps, which exceeded their imaginations, and the dolphins' abilities to communicate with humans. The students also got to meet the dolphins, and got to feed and pet them. We think their first experience meeting a sea−dwelling creature was an irreplicable memory for the students. They also visited Udo−Jingu Shrine in the picturesque area of Nichinan and prayed together. Udo−Jingu Shrine was badly damaged by a violent typhoon that struck Miyazaki Prefecture last year, and the after−effects remained when the students went to pray. They were able to learn about the damage from typhoons, which do not happen in Mongolia, and were shocked at the great power of the natural world. We feel that the company tour and sea visit were good experiences for the Mongol Kosen students.
Afterwards, we were thrilled to receive a notification saying that the team from the Mongolian University of Science and Technology (MUST) Kosen College of Technology that participated in this Sakura Science Program was selected to appear in the finals of DCON2023, which is taking place in Japan in April. They are the first team to be selected for the finals from a Mongol Kosen. This was proof that the technological exchange through Sakura Science has a clear effect. In the future, we hope to push technological exchange with international students through Sakura Science, and look forward to working with the program in the future.
