Larry Labuyo is a robot that can move around and dunk as many balls in a given time.

This may seem ordinary to some who have gotten accustomed to far greater tricks robots can do in films, TV shows and science museums. But what makes Larry Labuyo extraordinary is its young, brilliant creators and the fact that Larry will debut in a prestigious international competition soon!
Yes, this robot was actually a product of the brilliant minds of a bunch of 16-year-old students from the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) and it will represent the country in the FIRST Robotics Competition (FRC) Hawaii Regional slated March 26 to 28 in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Although it is not PSHS’s first foray in the science of robotics, this major feat still scores a first for Philippine Team Lagablab, a 32-student group who will be competing with the brightest young minds from Brazil, USA, Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Israel, Mexico, and Turkey.

The group will be accompanied by their three coaches from PSHS, eight mentors from the University of the Philippines and the De La Salle University.

Inventor Dean Kamen established the US-based FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) organization in 1989 to boost young people’s interest and participation in science and technology. One of its activities, FRC was created as a unique varsity sport of the mind designed to help high-schoolers discover the interesting as well as rewarding life and career of engineers and scientists.

Science Education Institute (SEI) director Dr. Ester Ogena is confident that through this international tilt the students will be able to learn from play with the ‘pros’ of the science and engineering world; apply math and science concepts in the design, building, testing and competition of robots; gain hands-on experience in solving real-world problems and discover the excitement and rewards of science and technology careers.

LARRY LABUYO IS HOT!

The event requires participants to solve a new game every year by building a robot using a common kit of parts and based on the rules of the game.

Thus, Larry Labuyo was designed using a special kind of wheel rolling over regolith (a material that is almost frictionless), to be able to engage in a “Lunacy” game, the theme for this year’s competition.
The objective of the game which simulates the conditions of the moon, is to place as many moon rocks into the trailer of the opponent in two minutes and 15 seconds.

Team member Cat Angangco says they had to go through a lot of challenges while making the robot which was completed in just five weeks.

“It was trial and error. Just like in engineering, we think that this thing is going to work but when you try it out, it actually does not. So we have to redesign all over again. But the entire experience made us more knowledgeable and determined to come up with a lot better than what we really thought,” Angangco explains.

When asked what sets Larry Labuyo from the rest of the 34 robot entries in the tilt, she says it would have to be the weight, for one thing.

“We tried to make it pretty light, its weight placed near the bottom because then the gravity is low. It can really maneuver well, and even if there’s a collision, it will still be pretty stable,” she adds.

TJ Mora, head of the electronics group, shares that Larry Labuyo is also fitted with a camera, a non-touch sensory device that can detect colors and do something based on the arrangement of colors; and an imprint sensor which can detect fingerprints a meter apart.

TEAM EFFORT ALL THE WAY

JJ Paz, head of the mechanics group, on the other hand, points out that each team member has a crucial responsibility in ensuring the success of their robot’s performance in the tilt.

“Nakasalalay sa lahat; mechanical, electronics at programming divisions ang successful operation ni Larry Labuyo. Kung sira yung programming, hindi maayos yung pag andar niya. Meron ngang structure pero hindi naman maganda ang galaw niya sa kaliwa, sa kanan, yung pag dunk niya kasi yung programming po ang nagpoprogram kung gaano katagal yung pag move niya. Tapos kung electronics naman yung may sira, paano masesend yung program dun sa robot? At kung mechanical yung sira, paano gagalaw yung robot? So kailangan na working lahat ng three functions at importante na we should continue to work as a team,” Paz stresses.

For Team Lagablab, the opportunity to represent the country in the tilt is already a big honor for them.
“Even if we don’t win in this competition, we hope to show to people in other countries that we are as brilliant as they are and capable of what they can do. Just because we come from a Third World country doesn’t mean we’re less or inferior. We’re still one big youth community with common interests and talents,” Angangco emphasizes.

Dr. Ogena echoes the same sentiment and is hopeful that the team will reap awards in the competition.

“We are confident that Team Lagablab and their robot are at par with the students and mentors in the international community. Our ingenuity and versatility as a team will help us win in the FRC,” she says. (With interviews by Theresa Arriza)