Supporting the International Robotics Competition Team Hanabi from Kamiyama Marugoto College

GIKEN LTD. (Head Office: Kochi-shi, Kochi; President and CEO: Atsushi Ohira; hereafter “GIKEN”) has announced that it will provide financial and technical support to Hanabi, the team from the private technical college Kamiyama Marugoto College in Tokushima Prefecture, as they participate in the international robotics competition FIRST Robotics Competition (hereinafter FRC).

FRC is an international youth robotics competition with a world championship held annually in the United States. In the previous competition in 2023, about 3,800 teams and over 95,000 participants from 35 countries around the world took part. In addition to building robots, teams are required to engage in outreach activities such as promoting STEAM education^*1 and community service, and to independently secure their own funding.

GIKEN supports the school’s philosophy of developing individuals with “the power to create things that bring about change” as a future-focused educational institution. We have contributed to its education by donating and providing technical guidance for the installation of our movable bicycle parking system Mobile Eco Cycle^*2. As a development-based company that has continuously created new machinery and construction methods to address issues in society, we believe that Hanabi will help develop the next generation of engineers and the growth of manufacturing in Shikoku and Japan. For this reason, we have decided to increase our support even further.

In March, Hanabi will aim to win the Impact Award at the regional qualifying round to secure their spot in the world championship. This is the first time that a company has provided Hanabi with continuous financial and technical support. To help them take the step towards the future on the international stage, and to further advance manufacturing and STEAM education^*1, GIKEN will leverage our technical expertise and provide the highest level of support possible.

On January 27th, a ceremony to unveil the completed Mobile Eco Cycle was be held at Kamiyama College of Technology.

Each year, in January, the competition rules are announced, and teams have about six weeks to design, build, and program a robot weighing around 50 kg before the regional qualifying round. Teams must also engage in outreach activities and fundraising as part of the competition, allowing participants to develop practical skills needed in the future society.

Reference: FRC Website (https://www.firstinspires.org/robotics/frc)

Under the slogan “Get it, Give it, Hanabit!”, the team aims to contribute to society by supporting the local community and future generations by learning and sharing technology. In its debut season, Hanabi competed in the 2023 regional qualifying round. While they did not qualify for the world championship, they received the Rookie Inspiration Award, which is given to first-year teams that demonstrate outstanding contributions compared to other newcomers. Now, they are fully focused on securing a spot in the 2024 world championship.
Reference: Hanabi Website (https://9494hanabi.com/)

■Profile of GIKEN Group
GIKEN developed the SILENT PILER™, the world’s first reaction-based, non-vibratory hydraulic pile driving machine that operates with minimal noise impacts. The GIKEN Group now actively promotes its press-in technology worldwide and contributes to the construction industry by proposing and implementing innovative solutions. The innovative press-in technology provides a unique solution and the adoption of this technology has spread to over 40 nations and regions.