Over 400 contestants are gathering at Taichung's Museum of Natural Science for the 2010 International Robot Olympics.

The winning teams will have the opportunity to represent Taiwan in the Philippines.

The time starts and the robots move forward. After hitting the ball, it must push an obstacle aside, and then grab the bottle and avoid two more obstacles. One misstep and the robot may be stuck or even flip over. The high school division was filled with the most missteps.

Some robots didn't have enough power to climb, while others didn't listen to their commands. Contestants from Wenhwa High School that successfully navigated the course spent NT$20,000 of their own money and used time after classes and school to build their robot. The robots, made of plastic parts, motors, and optical sensors, must be able to conduct various movements.

Besides the robot's physical design, the computer program is also very important. Over 400 junior high and high school competitors entered this contest. 9 teams will be chosen for the finals, for a chance to represent Taiwan at the International Robot Olympics in the Phillippines in November.