The 'big cheeses' in the world of mini robots will be racing to Birmingham's Millennium Point on 27 June to compete for the UK Micromouse 2009 Cheese Trophy.
The event, organised by the University of Birmingham's Faculty of Technology Innovation and Development (TID), will also feature mini-sumo, drag-racing and biped 'walking-robot' challenges.
The event is intended to inspire young people to consider careers in software and electronics, particularly as these sectors continue to experience skills shortages.
Dr Tony Wilcox, event organiser, said: 'While electronic and software systems power many of the consumer products prized by young people, the underlying technology isn't accessible and is taken for granted.
'Mini-robots, as featured at UK Micromouse, are a great way to get "hands on" and explore these technologies, which is the most effective way to spark new interest in these areas,' he added.
Micromouse championships have been held annually in the UK for nearly 30 years, with similar events also taking place in the US and across East Asia.
The top 'maze-solver' challenge sees autonomous mini-robot 'mice' racing unaided to the centre of a specially constructed maze.
Challengers utilise sensors, motors and software to enable their robots to negotiate the maze, map its surroundings and work out the optimum route to the centre over a series of timed runs.
UK Micromouse features a range of categories for senior and junior competitors, as well as competitions for school teams.
Robot competitors range from simple starter robots, capable of sensing and following a route marked with a line, to highly sophisticated maze-solving robot mice.
Other events include the drag race, which tests the speed and acceleration of the robots, and a robotic mini-sumo challenge, where contenders must first find their opponent before pushing them out of the ring.
UK Micromouse 2009 is free to attend and is open to the public from 10.00.
