WorldSkills Robotics: The world champions come from MAPAL

Young robot programmers from eleven countries, including Austria, France, Hungary, Luxembourg, Poland, Great Britain, India, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan, competed in the competition. WorldSkills aims to promote vocational training for young people. The event is held in more than 60 vocational disciplines every two years.

The robot programming category was to be held in Shanghai, but because of the pandemic it was moved to Esch-sur-Alzette in Luxembourg. For four days, the teams dealt with the programming of a complex robotic application in warehouse logistics.

The participants from Taiwan set a fast pace from the beginning. "We thought they were going to make the race until the very end," recounts Marvin Schuster. It was also clear to Uwe Heßler, Head of Training and Development at MAPAL: "When it comes to programming speed, the Taiwanese team is in a league of its own." Philipp and Marvin could not afford any mistakes, which would have cost valuable time. Ultimately, the scoring key played into Team Germany's hands, says Heßler. Philipp and Marvin were clearly ahead in other disciplines, such as documentation and program design. Whether that would be enough for victory, no one knew. "It was a surprise for us," say a delighted Philipp Raab and Marvin Schuster, who always kept their cool despite the excitement. The two had prepared intensively for the competition. Martin Ernsperger, who works at MAPAL in the area of manufacturing technology and automation, and WorldSkills national coach Jens Mühlegg from FANUC Germany supervised the two. The Aalen Technical School also provided support.

Robotics has a permanent place in MAPAL's training center. The company's own equipment and instructors with the appropriate expertise teach the latest future technologies in the area of machining and automation. MAPAL relies on robotics and assistance systems in new manufacturing areas and on young trainees. In 2018, the company entered the dual training of mechatronics engineers. As it turns out, very successfully. The first trainees to become mechatronics engineers were Marvin Schuster and Philipp Raab.