MASSEY UNIVERSITY News
Mehrtens matched by Massey’s metallic man
Many think legendary former All Black Andrew Mehrtens has super-human powers when it comes to kicking a rugby ball. But a special robot created by Massey University Albany engineering students proved itself almost as good as its human rival in a man versus machine kick-off in Auckland during Rugby World Cup last month.
Mr Mehrtens confronted three robots – one each from Massey’s Albany and Manawatu campuses, and another from Canterbury University – for the kick-off at Victoria Park. The fun event was part of the Rutherford Innovation showcase to highlight New Zealand’s innovative achievements in technology and industry during the cup.
Before a crowd of 100 or so onlookers and scores of international and local media, Mr Mehrtens tested his mettle against their metal in a series of conversion kicks over the goal posts using a Gilbert Rugby World Cup ball. The former Crusaders first five-eight player finally drew five-all with Massey’s Albany robot nicknamed ‘Robo Dan’ – a pneumatic-powered, muscular, metal leg attached to a human mannequin complete with swivelling robotic head.
Associate Professor Johan Potgieter, mechatronics lecturer at Massey’s Albany campus, says he was delighted with the performance of the robot designed and created by his students.
Creating a robot that could outdo an All Black legend took plenty of imagination and hard work. “It all starts with an idea, and how you innovate the idea. We look at nature, we look at some of the great rugby legends in this country and observe how they kick a ball. We realised it’s not just about power, it’s about timing too.”
Athletes honoured at Blues Awards
Olympics-bound canoe sprinter Lisa Carrington and Black Sticks hockey star Simon Child were crowned the BNZ Albany campus Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year recently.
Swimmer Amaka Gessler received the Extramural Students’ Society Sportsperson of the Year Award at a celebration dinner in the Sir Neil Waters lecture theatre in October.
The Massey University students were selected from 33 Blues Award recipients representing 20 different sports. Blues recipients are recognised for their performance in representing New Zealand in their chosen sport while successfully progressing in their academic studies.
Ms Carrington, (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga-ā-Māhaki), who is in her fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts in Maori studies and politics, recently won a gold meal in the women’s K1 200m and qualified for the London Olympics next year. She also won gold in the same event at the 2011 World Cup in Germany, and a gold medal at the 2011 National and Oceania Combined Championships in the women’s K1 500m and women’s K4 200m.
It is the second year in a row Ms Carrington has won the award and she congratulated all the nominees saying it was “awesome” to hear all their achievements over the past year.
Mr Child, a third year Bachelor of Business Studies student, was a key player in the Black Sticks team, which won bronze at the Commonwealth Games last year. He could not attend as he is currently preparing for a match against Australia in the Oceania Cup when he will receive his 150th cap. His father, Rick, accepted the award on his behalf, saying his son would be in the position next year where he had managed to complete a degree while playing hockey at top-level tournaments around the world.
“That is due to what happens here and what Massey puts in, it’s just great,” said Mr Child. “Simon will be absolutely delighted to win this award.”
Double Commonweath Games medallist Ms Gessler, who is in her third year of a Bachelor of Science, received her extramural award for achieving outstanding results in her studies whilst competing on the world stage. A member of the New Zealand swimming team, she won a silver in the 200m freestyle relay and bronze in the 100m relay in Delhi last year.
Speaking about her award she said: “I really wasn’t expecting to win this because there are so many amazing athletes here at Massey it is tough competition.”
Albany campus Blues Awards recipients were:
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Brendan Clark (AFL) |
Lucie Tait-Jaimeson (Alpine Skiing) |
Enquiries for 2012 entries contact k.evans@massey.ac.nz
Massey wildlife rescue team at Bay of Plenty oil spill
Aviaries to protect a “nucleus” population of 60 rare New Zealand dotterel birds have been built at the Oiled Wildlife Response Centre near Tauranga where Massey University vets are working to save as many oil slick stricken birds as possible.
Staff have been working around the clock to save in response to the oil spillage from the stranded ship Rena. A small village of makeshift tents and huts has been erected to accommodate more than 200 retrieved birds, ranging from little blue penguins to pied shags, from the Bay of Plenty coastline. Rescued birds also include 46 rare New Zealand dotterel, being housed in small aviaries being individually built for them, the University’s wildlife centre director Dr Brett Gartrell says.
New science degree to meet demands of changing world
Vice-Chancellor Steve Maharey is calling for the country’s top 30 aspiring young scientists to join the first intake for its Bachelor of Natural Sciences at the Albany campus next year.
Modelled on Cambridge University’s Bachelor of Natural Sciences, the degree is designed to educate students both in and beyond the classic science subjects, through project-based, research-oriented learning that encourages them to think broadly and creatively to find solutions to urgent, complex issues of our time, such as the obesity epidemic, pollution, climate change impacts, species extinction, and the demand for safe, healthy food and clean energy.
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