From April 2 to April 4 2022, "Hydroncon 2.0" event was organized at Himalayan Hydro Expo 2022. The event, organized at Bhrikutimandap Kathmandu, had an objective to inform the investors of hydropower sectors about the prospects of robotics innovation and its practical application in hydropower. Competition was held on two categories Maze solving and Aqua-bot.
Khwopa Engineering College took part in the event with total 15 number of students in both the events. Two groups participated in Aquabot event and three groups participated in maze solving competition from Electronics and Communication Engineering Department. The team consisiting of Anoop Shreshtha, Gaurab Tamakhu, Subarna Poudel, Subin Shreshtha and Suman Kandel that participated in Aqua-bot secured second place. Bobby Maka, Gaurav Maharjan, Ranjiv Shreshtha, Smriti Shakya also took part in the same event. In this event, participants had to design and build two robots namely Maintenance-bot and Carrier Aqua-bot. The game arena represented a problematic situation that occurs in a dam or a hydropower plant. The primary task for the event was to clear the clogged tunnel and restore the water flow in shortest time period possible.
In maze solving event, the team of Shadev timilsina, Sanuj Kumar Shah and Rajal Baral secured second position. Another two groups of Gaurav Maharjan, Ranjiv Shreshtha, Smriti Shakya and Abiral B.C., Prasanna Dahal, Ram Kushma, Rojish Twati also participated in the same event. In this event, participants had to design a robot that can find its path automatically in the maze. Teams got points when bot reached certain area which had pre-allocated points. The theme of this event was to find path in tunnel to rescue workers in hydropower plant if and when they got stuck in tunnel after accidents.
Student from Electronics and Communication Department Sujan Lamsal took part in this event as member of event organizer. Er. Upendra Dhungana (Alumni of Khwopa Engineering College) led the organizing committee during the competition. HoD of Electronics & Comm. Department, Er. Yogesh Bajracharya was invited as the guest of honor in Certificate and prize distribution program.
Though it was an experimental event, students got to know the ways of linking innovation and robotics to hydropower sector. This type of event needs to be promoted so that student will get opportunity to show their skills and knowledge.