In early May, I had the privilege of serving as a judge at the final round of the 2024 National Robotics Championships, hosted at the M9 – Museo del ’900 in Mestre.
The event brought together 30 selected teams, chosen from over 140 entries, each tasked with designing robotic prototypes to address real-world challenges across three key areas:
- Enhancing workplace well-being and safety;
- Improving citizen services;
- Supporting artisan professions through robotics.
The choice of the M9 as venue was especially meaningful: a museum of history and innovation that perfectly mirrored the educational spirit of the championships.
As a judge, I witnessed creativity and technical skill in action. Teams demonstrated how robotics can serve as a vehicle not just for STEM learning, but for solving societal problems—whether by supporting workers, streamlining public services, or enhancing craftsmanship.
Judging their projects was inspiring, and left me with the certainty that the future of robotics lies in the hands of a generation ready to combine knowledge with purpose.
