Student has eye on robotics

A Hawke's Bay expat is making a name for himself in the robotics business receiving a scholarship to help him realise his dreams of designing artificial intelligence.

Taradale High School old boy and 2008 dux, Sam Corbett-Davies, has been recognised for the second consecutive year for his potential to contribute to the future of the engineering profession in New Zealand.

He received a $3000 Beca Engineering in Society Scholarship for University of Canterbury students, and is hoping the scholarship will help fund his ambition to attend Stanford University.

The Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) specialising in mechatronics student said software design and computer vision have captured his interest.

"The artificial intelligence research lab at Stanford University has developed a car capable of driving hundreds of kilometres through America's biggest cities without human intervention," he said.

"By removing human error, the potential for autonomous vehicles to increase road capacity and decrease traffic accidents is staggering. This is just one application I'd like to work on.

"While many hope for personal robot assistants, I think we will see the use of robotics expand to industrial applications outside of the factory, especially, and most interestingly for New Zealand, in the agriculture industry."

For his final year project at Canterbury, Mr Corbett-Davies has been involved in a team developing a grape vine pruning robot for New Zealand's viticulture industry, designing the robot's artificial intelligence.

"There is clear potential for similar systems to be developed for automated fruit picking or dairy milking.

"I believe New Zealand research and development engineers could lead the world in developing these systems, work I would love to be a part of."

For 22 years engineering consultancy Beca has rewarded young engineers for their academic success, cultural and sporting achievements and community involvement and this year's recipients join an elite group of past winners who have appreciated the financial prize, totalling $15,000 each year, said South Island regional manager Craig Price.

"The winners are exemplary students and our engineering leaders of the future.

"I have no doubt they will make a significant contribution to the community as a whole and play a part in broadening the understanding of engineering and its significance in our society," he said.

The scholarships take into account academic results, communication skills, leadership qualities, contribution to university and community activities and the candidate's potential to add value to the engineering profession.