Altair, a leader in computational intelligence, has announced the launch of its 2024-2025 Global Student Contest, offering students worldwide the chance to demonstrate their engineering and design skills in robotics and mechatronics. With nearly $30,000 in cash prizes, the contest invites participants to use Altair software to optimise robotics systems and innovations.
Running from October 2024 to June 2025, the contest is open to students of all levels. They are encouraged to design and optimise any robotic application of their choosing, including competition robots, industrial robots, robotic arms, and battle bots. Projects can target improvements in various areas, such as electrical, mechanical, structural, and functional performance, with a particular focus on how data can enhance robot efficiency.
This year’s contest highlights Altair’s long-standing collaboration with the non-profit organisation FIRST, which has been running robotics programmes globally since 1989. Jim Ryan, Altair’s vice president of global academic programmes, said: “This year’s Global Student Contest places a special emphasis on robotics thanks to Altair’s extensive collaboration with FIRST over several years.”
Ryan emphasised that the contest offers students the tools to boost their portfolios, improve their technical skills, and collaborate more effectively. He added: “Our comprehensive technology offering is perfect for students of all levels, giving them the means to bolster their portfolio, sharpen their skill sets, collaborate more effectively, and become Real-World Ready™ by the time they’re ready to launch their careers.”
The contest encourages students to use a range of Altair’s software solutions, such as HyperWorks® and RapidMiner®, with a focus on optimisation tools like Altair® Inspire™, Altair® AI Studio, and Altair® PSIM™. Participants must submit a video explaining their project methodology and results.
At the end of each quarter, Altair will award prizes of $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third place. Additionally, three teams participating in the FIRST Robotics Competition will receive $5,000 sponsorships from Altair for submitting short videos explaining how they have used Altair’s tools and what they enjoy about them.
Altair will also award three student ambassadorships, each offering up to $1,000, for students who make significant contributions as ambassadors for the contest. More details about the ambassadorship programme are available on the contest’s webpage.
Scott Legasse, senior manager for corporate relations at FIRST, expressed enthusiasm for Altair’s ongoing support. “We are delighted to see one of our corporate sponsors offer a global student contest which includes encouraging our pre-university students to apply their skills to building next-gen robotics,” he said. “Altair strives to help students of all ages be real-world ready, and this is another indication that they are focused on that effort.”
FIRST, established in 1989, aims to prepare young people for the future through inclusive, team-based robotics programmes. The FIRST Robotics Competition, which began in 1992, operates in more than 28 countries and has reached over 3.2 million students worldwide.
Students interested in participating in the Altair Global Student Contest can find submission criteria and entry forms on Altair’s website.
