SWIRL robotics competition returns

The Southwest Washington Independent Robotics League returned to action after a three-year hiatus last week with Naselle High School hosting.

Each school in the league gets to make up their own competition and rules, publish them, and invite other schools from around the area to come compete.

Naselle chose to host a "Demolition Derby" where each robot runs the figure-eight course attempting to avoid being knocked-out by the other robots. Definitely a crowd-pleaser. Only one robot was knocked totally out of the running onto its backside.

The second place robot had speed control issues, driving fast but nearly out of control most of the time. The first place robot drove precise, steady and slow, keeping close to the ground, staying underneath other robots as necessary, and won by nearly a quarter of the track. Look for more SWIRL events beginning next fall.