The Gakuto Winter Cup

Get ready for a showdown at the Gakuto Winter Cup, a thrilling multi-activity hands-on industrial robotics competition starring the versatile Yaskawa MotoMini robot! We are thrilled to bring you an exciting update about the event and catch you all up to speed.

As participants in this year’s Winter Cup, you are at the forefront of a unique opportunity to challenge your skills, work alongside experienced engineers, experience the excitement of real industrial automation, and of course, win nifty prizes. We’re here to give you a sneak peek into the scope of the Winter Games and provide you with important details to prepare for the event.

Thanks to our sponsors, EPLAN GmbH, Rittal North America and ICR247, we are able to run this event for FREE and more than that: participants will also receive $1800 worth of invaluable training at Gakuto Club and their own beautiful desktop CNC router, which will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on their educational and career journeys. We truly hope those contributions make the journey all the more enriching and inspiring for our young STEM enthusiasts.

Gakuto Winter Cup is for Everyone:

The Gakuto Winter Cup is tailored to high school students who have a passion for STEM, regardless of your experience with robotics. We believe in nurturing potential and introducing you to the exciting world of industrial automation. The competition is designed to be inclusive and educational, and we’ll provide all the necessary training. You might be surprised to discover that industrial robots are more accessible and fascinating than they sound. The experience you gain here helps you stand out on college applications, forge new friendships, and gain valuable guidance and connections from professionals in the engineering industry.

Meet Your Robot:

You will be assigned to one of two teams of 4 students. Each team will be given a Yaskawa MotoMini, an industrial six-axis robot commonly used in manufacturing settings and small parts handling. This robot will be your partner in the competition, and we will guide you through the process of programming and operating it. You’ll also have the opportunity to work with automation peripherals such as machine vision systems and conveyors, expanding your knowledge and skills in this field.

Our aim is to make the Winter Cup an enriching experience for all participants, whether you’re a seasoned robotics enthusiast or new to the world of automation. You’ll have the chance to learn, collaborate, and showcase your abilities in a supportive environment.

Prepare for the Journey – Pre-Season Training:

Before the Winter Cup’s main event, we have an exciting pre-season training program lined up for you. This training will equip you with the knowledge and skills you need to excel in the competition. Pre-season takes place at our Wheeling facility Mondays and Wednesdays after school throughout December, typically from 4PM – 6PM. If some dates don’t work and you really really want in, don’t fret, let us know – we’re more than happy to work with you. Week 4 has a slightly different schedule, so please take note of that. When it comes to competition week, we will sprint to the finish line with three coding marathons!

The Main Event – Gakuto Winter Cup Showdown:

Your team will face through a series of activities that reflect real-world challenges in the automation industry.

The Winter cup includes challenges such as simulated welding, competitive conveyor sorting, speed palletizing—and fun games like robot cornhole. We’re going all-in to make this event a memorable experience! The Winter Cup will be documented, edited, and promoted in the style of a competition game show. Your remarkable achievements will be showcased for all to see on platforms like LinkedIn and other social media.

Friends and family are also invited the day of the event to witness the culmination of your journey. Be part of the excitement and cheer as you take on these challenges and showcase your skills. If you’ve made it this far, you have shiny prizes waiting for you at the end of the competition. Including a desktop CNC router you can take home.

Key Event Dates:

Informational Meeting (Virtual): November 20 @ 4:30 PM

Pre-Season Training: Mondays + Wednesdays in December 2023 (4 PM – 6 PM)

Week 1: Dec 4 + Dec 6, Week 2: Dec 11 + Dec 14, Week 3: Dec 18 + Dec 21, Week 4: Dec 27 + Dec 28

Competition Week: Jan 2, Jan 3, and Jan 4, 2024 / 9 AM – 5 PM

Gakuto Winter Cup: Jan 4 at 3PM

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the Gakuto Winter Cup. The ultimate hands-on industrial robotics competition for high school students! Ready to embrace the challenge and seize the opportunity? We have a limited number of openings. We want to make sure this event is amazing for everyone. Step into the first round of interviews to show us why you’re the perfect fit for our team!

Complete the form.     Register Now