Mikhail Surkov is a 10th grade student at Lyceum № 1580. He has just won the Moscow Robotics Olympiad. Now Mikhail is representing Russian Federation at the Exhibition for Young Inventors in Japan. The scientific event starts on July 26. The young inventor spoke through with the correspondent of the newspaper «Na Varshavke. Nagorny” about his preparation for the exhibition, emotional experience, advance in robotics and plans for the future.
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- Mikhail Surkov
I am a self-taught inventor
I started getting involved in programming and robotics right after my dad took me to «Robofest 2012» for the first time. In the beginning I constructed robots only for myself. But it has become an important part of my life after I won the MIPT contest (Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology). I started to create a lot of robots. Now I am participating in various competitions, exhibitions and scientific conferences. For example, I am taking part in the 8th International Exhibition for Young Inventors in Japan.
I am enjoying robotics at home. I have all the necessary tools for this: 3D printers, soldering irons and other things.
At first I was doing robots side by side with my dad. And in winter of 2016 I made the very first robot myself. And this is how I won my first robotics competition. With my very first work.
I’m not afraid of competition
Of course, I want to create robots in the future. I plan on getting a degree, later on I would like to work in the robotics sphere as engineer or to do freelancing. I’m not afraid of competition.
I have achieved a lot and also I received many awards, so in my opinion the employers’ choice is pretty much obvious.
I am not a star in robotics
Yes, I do have many victories. For example, I participated in the Moscow Team Robotics championship in 2017, also took part in Robofest, after that All-Russian Robotics Olympiad in Innopolis Kazan and etc. I do not show off with my achievements, but if people ask – I always answer in detail.
I only know that in class and at school I am considered as a famous and professional creator of robots, and this is enough. Well for me, of course.
«Device for visually impaired people»
«Device for visually impaired people» is a device which brought my victory during Moscow Team Robotics Championship. I participate in the nomination «Creative category. PRO Advanced Group. Personal IRS for a Comfortable Life». Those devices are made specifically for visually impaired people.
There are two kinds of such devices: those that are worn on a hand. They help to locate obstacles around in radius of 10 to 150 cm.
And the one which is worn on a neck. Second type is designed for long distances: up to 400 cm. Moreover, the inside components are almost the same, so it is possible to create a unique external design if you want. I design them using plastic material by a 3D printer.
It is clear that such devices have been created by other technicians for a long time already, there are many analogues, but the biggest advantage of my robot is that it is an easy-to-use and priceless device. Such a gadget is very easy to assemble, so it is much cheaper than the rest.
In order to do it, you need, of course, knowledge in programming, robotics, electrical circuits but I want to make an accessible description which I put online on Robof.ru. Moreover, I pay great attention to design, so that a consumer would be pleased to wear it. Everything for a user.
Now I’m developing myself as a professional inventor. I would like to increase quality of my work, add something new to my devices. For example, to invent more accurate recognition and warning systems to increase locator radius.
For the exhibition I will make three new robots
I’m going to the International Exhibition for Young Inventors to see how other scientists work. I really want to know how Russian and foreign robots differ.
Now I’m working hard to create new robots. There will be three new devices. I will certainly add oral functionalities to them: the description, self-presentation and answers to possible questions. New robots like the «Hand» help the visually impaired people but they have a bit more functions.
Of course, I am nervous before the trip. I worry about the quality of materials and robots, because unfortunately I’m doing everything right before the trip. But I want my devices to be as qualitative as other works presented at the conference.
Believe in yourself, try hard and never give up
I would like my robots to help people with disabilities. My goal is to help everyone who is in need.
I am trying to make devices which are very easy to use. Also they have to be affordable for the buyer. Of course, all of that would have been impossible without my personal involvement. Therefore, if you just start getting interested in robotics, then you should really enjoy what you do. Otherwise, all of that will quickly become boring.
Robotics is difficult. You face many fails, it is necessary to break through the problems step by step. It is important not to show off your first victories and after losing to be ready to fight back again and again.
Summing everything up, I would like to advise young inventors not to chase everything at the same time. It’s impossible to do many works simultaneously. You must believe in yourself and never give up.
Метки: International Exhibition for Young Inventors, Mikhail Surkov, Robotics, Schoolboy
