Flying robots compete in Tokyo

Engineering students from around Asia have gathered in Japan to show off their flying machines.

They were competing to create the fastest, most accurate flying robots.

Forty-four teams from high schools and universities around Asia competed in creating the most precise and lightweight flying robots.

Competitors were required to build flying machines of under 150 grams that could be remote-controlled to pass through goal posts.

Sponsors of the competition, such as national carrier Japan Airlines and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, were out to build the foundations of a Japanese aeronautical industry.

Shinji Suzuki, Engineering Dep`t., Tokyo Univ., said, "This competition is backed by the aeronautical industry, and as Japan is entering an era when we are trying to build our own commercial airplanes, so I am sure they are looking to foster the aircraft engineers of the future."

The leader in Japan's aeronautical industry, Mitsubishi Heavy, is aiming to start production of small jetliners in 2012.

These jetliners will come in 72- and 92-seat versions, and will be part of a larger effort by Japan to develop aircraft that are more fuel-efficient and less noisy.

But not all students saw their future in the aeronautical industry.

Kunihiko Sato, Student of Univ. of Electto-Communications, said, "I am looking to develop a system where the robots will monitor indoor situations, either in a security capacity or to help check on senior citizens in need."

Other participants said they were hoping to build future national space shuttles or fly robotic spy planes.