Robotics competition happening this weekend in the Northland

Robots and robotics are fascinating! Thinking about how they work and what they can be made to do is remarkable. If robotics interests you, the DECC is the place to be. The 2022 Minnesota First Duluth Regional Robotics Competition is happening Friday, March 4th, and Saturday, March 5th at 9:00 a.m.

Teams from parts of North Dakota and Chicago joined local teams to battle it out for this year’s championship. Local teams competing are Duluth, Cloquet, Esko, Babbitt, Barnum, Bigfork, Chisholm, Proctor, Two Harbors, and Virginia.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, organizers say it is good to see the kids back, enjoying what they love to do. Watching them drive, program, and build the robots is a sport to them, says Mark Lawrence, the Chairman of Minnesota First Robotics Planning Committee.

“They drive the robot from behind the drives station. They are programming the robots and building them. They did not play live last year because the schools were shut down. This is their chance to finally get back and play with other teams and have real live competition.”

The excitement is high from the students as well. They are happy to be back at the DECC this year. For many, it’s like coming back home after time spent away. “It means a lot to have this here, and the team is ecstatic! After what is like two years of no competition, to have it here means a lot to me. It means a lot to the team too,” said Duluth East Senior and Fabrication Captain Qasim Mutjeba.

The event will be happening on Friday, March 4th, and Saturday, March 5th starting at 9:00 a.m. It is free and open to the public. To learn more information, visit the First Duluth Regional Robotics Competition website.