GEORGE the super-strong robot is set to do battle with others from around the world thanks to his dedicated student inventors.

Colchester Sixth Form College students Edward Hale, Hannah Rouse and James Pearson, have spent months tweaking the 18ins tall metal warrior.

Their success has earned them a chance to compete in the VEX Robotics World Championships in Kentucky, USA.

George is a force to be reckoned with.

The wheeled robot has an extending arm which can lift cubes up to more than three times his own height.

He can also pick up things and build towers with them.

Edward, 17, of Colchester, said: “We started in early September with the design. We came up with basic ideas for the chassis, lift systems and intake systems – what he would be able to pick up.

“They were some simple ideas and we built upon them.

“Tournaments go on through the year leading up to national and world level. We entered the first tournament we could find and won that.”

After each tournament, Team Rouse went back and modified George, which can now lift three hollow cubes at once.

George has now won three regional tournaments, fighting off 20 or more competitors each time.

In each competition, he had to drive himself for 15 seconds, before the team could take over the controls and help him score points by grabbing cubes and placing them on posts.

There are 440 teams entered into the World Championships, which will run over three days from April 15.

Edward added: “There are teams from all over the world and the only way you qualify is by winning a national tournament.

We came high up in the semi-finals, but there are special places to be given out and we put our name forward.”

Over the next few weeks, Team Rouse will be doing all they can to make sure George’s wins in Kentucky.

VEX Robotics competition rules state the robots have to fit into a 18ins cube and must not have more than ten motors. It is up to their creators to decide which functions they perform.

“After we make improvements, we think we might have a chance,” said Edward, who plans to study robotics or mechatronics at university.

“We are coming up to the Easter break and basically spending the time making changes to everything, he is going to be rebuilt.”

Edward and Hannah, 16, and who also lives in Colchester, are looking for sponsors tomake the £2,500 trip to Kentucky.

  • If you wish to support them, email vexteamrouse@gmail.com