InnovMind V3.0 | 1st Webinar
February 13, 2026 · 12:30 PM - 2:00 PM @ Online event
Description
InnovMind v3.0 was a multi-phase robotics initiative organized by the IEEE IAS Student Branch Chapter of SLTC with the aim of empowering undergraduates and school students across Sri Lanka through hands-on learning in robotics and automation. The program was carefully structured to combine theoretical knowledge with practical exposure, allowing participants to progressively build their technical skills. The first phase of InnovMind v3.0 was conducted as an online educational webinar on 13th February 2026 from 6.00 PM to 7.30 PM. The session was led by Mr. Ashen Fernando and focused on the fundamentals of the Micromouse robot, an autonomous robot designed to solve mazes. This phase was designed to provide participants with a strong foundation in robotics concepts that would support their performance in the upcoming phases of the competition. During the session, Mr. Fernando introduced the field of robotics and highlighted its importance in modern industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics. He explained how robotics integrates concepts from mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and computer science, emphasizing its growing relevance in today’s technology-driven world. The main focus of the webinar was the Micromouse robot. Participants were introduced to its structure, purpose, and functionality. Mr. Fernando explained that a Micromouse is a small autonomous robot capable of navigating a maze and reaching its destination in the shortest possible time. He discussed the essential components of the robot, including sensors used to detect walls, motors and wheels responsible for movement, the microcontroller that acts as the brain of the robot, and the power supply system. The session clearly illustrated how these components work together to enable autonomous navigation. A significant part of the webinar was dedicated to Arduino-based prototyping. Participants were guided through the basics of setting up the Arduino environment, connecting sensors and motors, and uploading simple programs to control the robot. They were introduced to fundamental programming concepts in C/C++ and learned how to read sensor data and control motor movements accordingly. The session also covered the basic maze-solving logic used in Micromouse robots. Mr. Fernando explained simple wall-following algorithms and briefly introduced more advanced techniques such as dead reckoning and path optimization. This gave participants an understanding of how logical decision-making is implemented in robotics. An interactive question-and-answer segment allowed participants to clarify doubts and gain further insight into robot design, sensor selection, and programming strategies. The session was attended by students from diverse academic backgrounds, including many beginners, making it both inclusive and accessible. Overall, Webinar 1 of InnovMind v3.0 successfully laid a strong foundation for participants. It enhanced their conceptual understanding of robotics, introduced them to practical Arduino programming skills, and prepared them for the advanced technical challenges in the subsequent phases. The session not only developed technical competence but also inspired students to explore innovation and problem-solving in the field of robotics and automation.
Agenda
6.00 PM – 6.05 PM Welcome Speech 6.05 PM – 6.10 PM Introduction to the Session 6.10 PM – 7.15 PM Main Session 7.15 PM – 7.25 PM Q&A Session 7.25 PM – 7.30 PM Vote of Thanks & Closing