Engineering students compete on Robot Wars

A team of HND Engineering Systems students will have their TV debut on Sunday 2nd April and reveal their robot, Rusty, in the latest episode of Robot Wars.

Glasgow Clyde College students, Cameron Dale, Nicolas Hough and David Shields, were inspired by their lecturer Tony Smith, who has previous experience of competing on Robot Wars.

Rusty, who is orange and dark grey, was built, fabricated and painted by the team. The wedged-shaped robot has a titanium flipper which features a steel scoop that can lift-up to 1200kg. Rusty is a refurbished robot that is highly reliable, easy to run and maintain.

Cameron, from Maryhill, said: “It was an amazing experience to be a part of Robot Wars, the atmosphere was really great and we couldn’t have asked for a better day. Everyone who took part was incredibly passionate about their creations, many of whom did not have a background in engineering which is impressive.”

Nicolas, from Knightswood, said: “Studying an HND in Engineering Systems has helped me understand how engineering elements combine. My course had a big input in how we designed the robot and helped us narrow down the essential elements in the creation, such as the weight. It combined all facets of electrical and mechanical engineering.

“My experience of building Rusty has exposed me to different ideas and ways of problem solving that will have a valuable impact on my future career.”

Team mate David, from Battlefield adds: “This has been an incredible experience for all of us, from starting off with an idea, building and creating it, to working together as a team, there are so many different elements that we have learned from. It is a day I’ll always remember and will have a positive impact on my future studies and my career in engineering.”

The HND Engineering Systems course is designed to enable engineers to develop their skills and competence across a wide range of modern engineering systems, including electrical, mechanical and mechatronic systems.

Alistair Rodgers, Head of Curriculum for Engineering at Glasgow Clyde College said: ‘”Having undertaken the HND Engineering Systems programme at Glasgow Clyde College, David, Nicolas and Cameron have managed to build on their learning experiences in both Mechanical and Electrical Engineering in the manufacture of Rusty.

“The College puts great emphasis on ensuring that students gain a suitable balance of both practical and theoretical knowledge within all of the programmes which helps to fully engage students with their own learning. Their appearance on the show is testament to the hard work that David, Nicolas and Cameron along with the Engineering staff have put into their programme.

“Moving forward the College would hope to build on the Robot Wars experience with the introduction of a College version of Robot Wars to better engage with learners as a more innovative way of promoting STEM as a good career choice.”

Tony Smith, Engineering Lecturer at Glasgow Clyde College, said: “This group of students joined Glasgow Clyde College a few years ago, new to the world of engineering. It’s great to be able to see their passion for this project to the point where they were chosen to compete with their creation at the highest level and on prime-time television. I’m sure that their experience at Robot Wars has only made them more excited about the promising career in engineering that they each have ahead of them”

Robot Wars will air on Sunday 2nd April on BBC 2.

Picture shows Nicolas Hough, Lecturer Tony Smith and Cameron Dale with Rusty.