The ‘Sentinels’ of Tomorrow
Team Sentinels: Keegan Crasto and Mann Patel. Photo: Team Because
With a major national robotics win, two Mumbai teenagers take their creation to the World Robotics Olympiad. Their accomplishment could pave the way for more future leaders from India in the fields of science and technology.
The scientist Edward Teller was once known to say, “The science of today is the technology of tomorrow.” I encountered the technology of tomorrow, too, after witnessing the story of two students from Mumbai, whose team ‘Sentinels’ achieved national triumph at the 2024 India Nationals of the World Robot Olympiad (WRO).
16-year-olds Keegan Crasto and Mann Patel are now part of the only team which will represent India in the Senior High Category on the global platform at the WRO International Finals, scheduled on November 28-30, 2024 in Türkiye. In this thrilling competition, students from around the world build robots capable of solving complicated problems. Each participant faces new obstacles that would evoke real-life situations, creating skills far beyond the field of robotics.
The WRO is an international robotics contest in which participants compete through various levels of practical and critical tests. The Sentinels’ robot—which won the competition in India with its high-level programming and strategic design—was designed to navigate through the contest table that measures eight feet by four feet, marked in various colors and shapes. Adaptability to dynamic conditions along with a good understanding of its mechanics distinguished this robot from other competitors. The Sentinels duo spent two to three months building and programming their robot with precision and accuracy, perfecting it to react under pressure—all within the three-minute time frame.
The winning bot was compact, with a height of about 25 centimeters, and a width slightly smaller, around 20–21 centimeters, making it agile and easy to maneuver. Built using LEGO Mindstorms EV3, one of the robot’s key features was a medium-sized motor, which gave it enough speed to achieve the goal in record time. The designed chassis was well-structured to maintain stability and consistence, especially while making turns. A rack mechanism driven by a medium motor allowed for the precise vertical movement to pick up and place the blocks. The team used two colour sensors located at the front to detect some lines on the mat, and the top sensor of the grabber mechanism identified the colour of the blocks for proper placement.
Once fine-tuned, the system acted competently and the robot completed the challenges with minimal error. It is this combination of speed, precision, and stability that drove Sentinels to a triumphant finish.
News of this achievement reminded me of my own school days, when my classmates and I had learned the basics of science, and wondered what good it could bring to the world. At our time, such competitions and practical learning barely existed to help us understand its realistic applications. Now, the Sentinels’ achievement aptly reflects the scientific principles of today, which can help forge the technology of tomorrow. The children’s technical skills are more than mere innovation for the sake of technical competence, but can be applied on theoretical concepts as well as practical challenges, proving that the process of experimentation and problem-solving is at the heart of technological advancement.
The Sentinels’ robot was designed to navigate through the contest table that measures eight feet by four feet, marked in various colors and shapes. Adaptability to dynamic conditions along with a good understanding of its mechanics distinguished this robot from other competitors.
This interconnected worlds of science and technology tell us that if placed in the right hands at the right time, complex issues facing the world could be dealt with and we may soon see some remarkable breakthroughs capable of transforming industries and enhancing lives. A generation of youngsters can see science as not just abstract knowledge, but an underpinning for solutions of tomorrow.
“I started my journey in robotics about three to four years ago,” says Crasto, a student of R.N. Podar School (CBSE), Mumbai. “It was my father who encouraged me to dive into this field, leading me to participate in my first competition at the WRO Junior level. Ever since, I’ve been completely captivated by it.” Before he started on robotics, Crasto had learned to programme in different languages including Java, C++, and Python.
Patel, from Podar International School (IB & CAIE), Santacruz, Mumbai, has a journey slightly shorter in time but no less passionate. “I’ve been doing robotics for around a year and a half,” he says, “What drew me was the problem-solving challenge and creativity involved in designing and building robots.”
Now, the boys are gearing up for the global stage, where teams from over 72 countries will be participate in the WRO International Finals. This year, the challenge involved building houses, fixing water pipes, and collecting debris after natural disasters. “WRO encourages students towards STEM through the challenges that are generated against reality,” Keegan says, “The more tasks we completed, the more points we earned, and ultimately, with the highest score, we ranked at the top of the leaderboard.”
Crasto and Patel, who both honed their STEM and programming skills at the RFL Academy, believe that their combined strengths made them a formidable team. Crasto’s programming skill was instrumental in ensuring the robot’s speed and consistency, while Patel contributed his coding knowledge and logical thinking. The boys began their preparation three months before the competition, but their busy schedules often limited their time. “Initially, we spent one to two hours a day because of exams and other commitments,” Crasto recalls. As the competition drew closer, their dedication intensified. “A month before, we committed to around six hours a day, and two weeks before, we were at the lab for 11-12 hours daily,” says Patel.
It was a complex juggling acts for the youngsters to balance school obligations and robotics. “I studied at night after coming home, which was challenging but necessary,” says Crasto. Patel echoed this sentiment, noting the late-night study sessions before exams. This says a lot about the boys, who increased their hours of work on the project that demanded not only technical skills but also high degrees of time management and discipline.
Coordination also proved to be a significant hurdle, given their differing school schedules. “We had to find common ground to meet and work on our project,” Crasto explains. Additionally, the design process required them to refine their robot multiple times before arriving at a final version. During the competition itself, unexpected tests arose. “All our values changed during the competition, making our bot inconsistent,” says Patel.
“During the first day,” Crasto recalls, “we faced a surprise rule—a completely new challenge that none of us had prepared for. We couldn’t solve it, but we still secured maximum points.”
Despite the obstacles, their efforts culminated in a triumphant victory. “It feels amazing to represent India on an international stage,” Crasto says.
Memorable moments from the competition included receiving an additional award for the best robot design, something neither of them anticipated. “We were shocked to win the best design award; it felt surreal,” says Patel. Crasto adds, “It represents the most optimal construction for the challenge—not based on appearance, but on how effectively it solved the problem. Our robot was also the fastest one there.”
The boys oozed with excitement for the opportunity to represent their country on an international platform. “[This experience] has taught me the importance of teamwork, critical thinking, and the relevance of STEM—science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in Indian education,” says Crasto. “Career-wise, it will greatly enhance my resume and profile, aiding in admissions abroad. Additionally, I’ve gained valuable skills in programming and construction.”
As role models for younger students aspiring to follow in their footsteps, Crasto and Patel have clear advice. “Start robotics at a young age,” Crasto urges, “Logical reasoning and critical thinking are invaluable. It’s important to at least give it a try, as it significantly aids in profile building for college applications, jobs, and internships. The skills you acquire are beneficial, even if you choose a different path later.”
Patel adds, “Participating in competitions like this opens doors and builds your profile for future opportunities. Such experiences enhance your ability to think quickly, while also deepening your understanding of coding technology through practical application, as you bring your own robot to life.”
As the excitement builds for this year’s championship, the tournament in Türkiye will be more than a test of skills; it will be a celebration of the rise of Indian talent in this field of robotics that shows how technology and education must be entwined to make a better tomorrow. By equipping students with the critical skills including creativity, collaboration, and problem-solving skills that are needed to navigate an increasingly complex world, the competition will help offer solutions for larger global challenges such as climate change, healthcare, and infrastructure development.
Challenges remain at home, however. Other aspiring youngsters will have to succeed despite not always having the resources in a country like India. They will require a good time management policy to balance the academic strain especially in the Indian education scenario. Overcoming these roadblocks will play a key role in their success, to help our nation create more future leaders in the fields of science and technology.
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Bushra Satkhed is an Indian journalist and author pursuing a Ph.D. in Journalism and Mass Communication from Somaiya University. She has worked for Times Network, NDTV, and The Indian Express. She has self-published four books, and her latest novel, Amaranthine will be launched soon by Saga Fiction Publication. You can find her on Twitter: @BushraSatkhed and Instagram: @BushraSatkhed.
