Competition Between Talented Engineers
― Mitsubishi Electric Cup Automation Contest (MECA)

A diversity of creative entries reflecting today’s generation

This category is an extremely challenging one. It places weight on new technical applications, green & intelligent manufacturing, low carbon, and energy control, and requires applicants to submit innovative ideas based on such themes as intelligent manufacturing systems, energy saving applications, smart agriculture, and smart lifestyle. Considering that past entries have been marketed after acquiring a patent, it can be said that the quality of the entries in this category determines the value of this year’s MECA competition.

The contest showcased a diversity of entries, including an entry that appeared somewhat familiar, an entry that reflexively raised a smile, an entry that tackled a social issue head-on, an entry that could be useful in daily life, and an entry that incorporated a host of innovative ideas, among others. Seeing the 61 entries which made it through the selection process, and being exposed to the unique ideas of young engineers, provided an exciting experience for all involved.

Among the numerous entries, two submitted by different teams from Zhejiang University particularly captured the interest of the judges as they made their rounds of the venue.

“Light and Shadow” Zhejiang University team (Entry No. 8)

When an individual’s facial features are registered in a facial recognition system, a camera-equipped AGV continuously captures images of the individual from appropriate angles while tracking the individual’s movements. Many of the judges stopped in their tracks in front of “Light and Shadow,” a tracking application that was created for the popular TikTok camera. A video-shooting demonstration was being performed using this application.

The team leader’s explanation was to the point. “In China, 70% of all jobs are digital, and among them, live streaming is particularly important. However, not everyone can rely on a professional cameraman. We developed this solution because we have friends who do live streaming, and they told us they have trouble shooting good videos.”

She also said providing software that anyone can use to shoot professional-level videos without blurring and providing it on a common Cloud platform is an “eco-system.”

“How can anyone not buy it? The application may lack a sense of novelty, but its modern idea fully aligns with the given theme, and its level of perfection is amazing.”

Click here for the paper PDF (submitted upon application)

“Blue and White” Zhejiang University team (Entry No. 57)

Meanwhile, the entry “Blue and White”* attracted considerable attention with its high technical capability. A Mitsubishi Electric FA industrial robot skillfully wielded a paint brush and drew a sketch on a white porcelain plate using several different colors. The sight of painted plates being made automatically one after another was extremely impressive. The painting even displays subtle fadeouts and shades of color, such that the quality of the finish is nothing short of striking. There was not even a hint that a robot had done the painting.

The team leader said his father is an artisan of blue and white ceramics. He explained that, today, with the number of such artisans steadily decreasing, the team came up with the idea of a robotic painting system with the goal of reproducing traditional crafts using modern technology and to hand this down to later generations.

It is easy to imagine that even a slight change in the touch of the brushstroke was a difficult feat to achieve. An enormous amount of time must have gone into perfecting the system.

The entries from the two Zhejiang University teams were high-level. One of them was apt to win the Corporate Special Award.

* Blue and white refers to white porcelain decorated with pictures and patterns and fired at high temperatures of around 1300°C after applying a transparent coating of glaze. By adopting this underglaze method, pictures and patterns of various colors, painted beneath the glaze appear through the glaze and produce a soft impression. The technique began in 700BC and continued to be refined to this day to allow ever more beautiful pictures and patterns to be created.

Click here for the paper PDF (submitted upon application)

Announcement of results

On July 29, the second day of the contest, the venue of the award ceremony was filled with laughter instead of tension, arising from the humorous reviews of the judges projected on a large screen. It is characteristic of MECA to present an award to all teams that make it to the finals, but the judges’ evaluation of the team that received the third prize was particularly amusing. Even those with a little knowledge of Chinese, were able to enjoy a ceremony that was full of laughter and smiles.

Third prize: (Red) Systems Application category, (Blue) Creative Design category.

The winning teams went on stage one by one to receive their prize as the ceremony proceeded.

The Corporate Special Award that was the focus of attention went to the Zhejiang University team (Entry No. 8) that created “Light and Shadow,” and the leader of the team, Ms. Liu, delivered a speech toward the end of the ceremony representing all the participants.

Crystal prizes were given to all participating teams.

The Zhejiang University team (Entry No. 8) with a “Letter of Intent for Employment” in their hands were winners of the Corporate Special Award.

The “Blue and White” entry was beaten to the Corporate Special Award top spot by the team behind entry no.8. Their “Light and Shadow” idea was recognized by the judges because it answered the needs of the modern, video streaming generation. They also felt it would be in demand and could stimulate new products and services once it was commercialized.

However, while team “Blue and White” fell just short of the grand prize they did win the next highest first prize. Moreover, they were also awarded a “Letter of Intent of Employment” from Mitsubishi Electric Automation (China), meaning members of both teams from Zhejiang University who are currently sophomores, can join Mitsubishi Electric immediately after graduating from their courses.

Zhejiang University team (Entry No. 8).

Zhejiang University team (Entry No. 57).

Exchanging words of thanks

After the award ceremony, the leaders of the two teams from Zhejiang University were asked whether they were consciously aware of each other as rivals.

“The Blue and White team was our rival, but we had been working on our idea in the same laboratory. Unlike our “business” idea, theirs is an “aesthetic” idea. I’m extremely happy that our two differing ideas were both given such wonderful reviews.”

The leader of the Blue and White team nodded in agreement.

Lastly, the members of the two teams took a commemorative photo.

“Blue and White,” an aesthetic idea.

Industrial-academic collaboration in China

The professor who led the Zhejiang University teams notes the university is establishing a cooperative relationship with Mitsubishi Electric Automation (China) as a partner. “Our university not only purchases many Mitsubishi Electric products, but intends to further strengthen the partnership going forward,” he says, adding that a meeting has been scheduled soon with a representative from Mitsubishi Electric Automation (China) regarding the purchasing of Mitsubishi Electric products.

Lastly

The three-month-long contest, which began with regional preliminaries in May, finally came to a close, expertly organized and delivered by the Marketing Department team at Mitsubishi Electric Automation (China), who brought such a large contest to a successful conclusion with the active participation and support of many prominent universities and the local government.

Before leaving the venue, a college sophomore student whose team won second prize responded “We’re definitely going to try for first place again next year!”

The future they create will likely be bright.

As the slogan for this contest says, “智青春 創未来 (young wisdom will create the future).”