Curtin Sarawak team among top finishers at annual NXP Cup 2016

Miri – 12 October 2016 – Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently sent two teams, Jojox and Bobox, to participate in the annual NXP Cup 2016 held at Multimedia University (MMU) in Cyberjaya.

The NXP Cup, formerly known as the Freescale Cup, is an annual national-level competition for university students organised by NXP Semiconductors. The objective of the competition is for participants to design intelligent racing cars that are able to cruise on a challenging race track with intersections, sharp turns, and obstacles using NXP-made microcontrollers, motors, and sensors.

The track is revealed only on race-day and the competitors are assessed based on both completion time and their cars’ engineering designs.

Both teams managed to complete the race, with Jojox placing fifth. Jojox comprised Jonathan Phang Then Sien, Chiam Dar Hung and Tan Jiunn Cai while Bobox consisted of Alex Tai Yi Jiac, Tong Jia Zheng, and Ng Kay Li. All are students of the Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department, Faculty of Engineering and Science at Curtin Sarawak.

Accompanying them to the competition were ECE lecturers Dr Garenth Lim and Dr Raymond Chiong. The two teams from Curtin Sarawak were among 30 teams from all over Malaysia competing.

“Our students put in a great deal of effort and creativity in building their smart car,” remarked Dr Chiong. “The judges were clearly impressed with their unique design approach.”

According to Dr Lim, Curtin Sarawak started preparing for the NXP Cup late last year by attending relevant training workshops, including an ‘Introduction to NXP Freedom Development Platform’ workshop. Students who had a keen interest and potential were then selected to represent the university in the competition.

According to Head of the ECE Department, Dr Lenin Gopal, Curtin Sarawak encourages students to take part in national and international competitions as part of their learning experience.

“We are very proud of the achievements of the two teams, especially when the recognition is given at national-level. It is a testament of the strengths of our courses and teaching, as well as the quality of our students,” said Dr Lenin.

Team leader for team Jojox, Jonathan Phang, remarked that the NXP Cup is a great platform for students to learn, apply and elevate their technical and creative skills. Meanwhile, the team members of Bobox said participation in the competition helped them enhance their time-management and technical skills.

Curtin Sarawak students briefing judges on their design.

Teams Jojox and Bobox with their advisors.