DOCUMENTARY/ Orthoses for animals, created by pupils qualified for 2025 FIRST® Championship Houston

Pupils from 'I. L. Caragiale' National High School in Ploiesti who make up the Eastern Foxes team, recently qualified for the 2025 FIRST® Championship Houston, have created orthoses for animals with motor disorders because, they say, even animals need help.
A group of 15 pupils from rural areas with a passion for what they call 'the field of the future' are now the active core of the Eastern Foxes team, that qualified for the FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) of the 2025 FIRST® Championship Houston.
'At the moment, we are 15 active members in the team, and this year all our members come from rural areas. Basically we are a team gathered from several corners of this county and we all gathered at 'I. L. Caragiale' National High School to develop and achieve performance in STEM. It was by chance that we happened to be from different corners this year, but ambition proved that it can be done. The team was formed five years ago, in 2020, out of the desire of six kids who wanted to practically develop the STEM field and wanted to make an impact in the community and grow. And then, as time went on, more people joined and we reached the maximum number of people that the competition (FIRST Tech Challenge) allows, namely 15 people. STEM refers to the development of science, technology, engineering and math. Basically everything that encompasses this branch of exact sciences, the field of the future, as we call it,' Raluca Buzatu, a member of the robotics team, explained for AGERPRES.
The competition has two objectives, one of which is community involvement. That's how the team's 'Fox Aid' campaign was born, brainstorming to make the world a more accessible place for everyone.
'The competition has two goals. First, we have to make a robot each year based on the challenge we received, and the FIRST Tech Challenge is trying to somehow get us to use our skills and do something that would actually be useful in real life, and the other goal, besides the technical one, is to somehow impact the community, to contribute to the world we live in and basically, it stimulates us to give back what we know. I mean, we organize events such as workshops or events where we bring in specialists from different fields to help the youth connect,' said Iuliana Georgescu, another member of the team.
Within the component aiming at the impact on society, the team has developed two major projects, namely Paws Ability, which consists of the development of an orthosis for animals that lack motor function, and Vision Beyond Borders, which aims to develop a device to help disabled people.
'The device for the blind was designed and built by our colleagues in such a way that a small device is attached to a blind human, measuring through different sensors how far away objects are and telling him, in an earpiece, the size and distance and the object in front of him, so that it can help him move around with ease,' says Raluca.
In order to develop the system, the pupils contacted the Ploiesti Blind Association and specialists who will advise them on how to optimize the device so that it will provide a safe and comfortable experience for users.
The Paws Ability project was based on research, with the help of doctors from a veterinary practice, and the students designed and 3D-printed several of these orthoses which they are now perfecting. The mechanism can be modified according to the height and diameter of the animal's leg.
'We have developed the first prototype together with a veterinary practice, and we are now trying to improve this prototype as much as possible, so that we can implement it in the community. There are quite a lot of these types of orthoses that have been developed, only we have come up with a slightly different system. We want to be able to develop them as much as possible, because, after all, even animals need help. What's more, we want to offer them practically for free, we want to make them because we want to help. We use 3D-printed objects or objects that we make ourselves, which we use anyway in the realization of the robot or we can purchase and in addition we try to offer them for free to help, because we know that there are many problems like this,' explained Iuliana.
If all goes according to plan, the two projects could be completed in the next few months, with the children's wish being that their work will have a real impact in the community.
'We want these two projects to be 100% completed by early summer this year. However, depending on the advice we receive from the specialists and the optimizations that need to be made, the time may be shorter or longer. We want them to be well implemented and even to have an impact in the community, not just to do them for a limited time,' Raluca points out.
During this period, the 15 members of the Eastern Foxes are preparing intensively for the World Cup clash, and brainstorming sessions have resumed.
'What helped us qualify was the robot's performance in terms of speed. We have the lightest robot, it is 10.5 kilograms, and a robot in the FTC competition averages between 12 and 13 kilograms. We were able to optimize it, to bring it up to this mass, so that it is the fastest. Also, its elevator is the fastest, extending in 0.6 seconds. It is recognized globally that our elevator extends the fastest, not only in Romania, and this has meant many hours of work at the headquarters (...) We are confident in our abilities, we know that there is always room for improvement, that's why we will develop and optimize the robot as much as possible. As for the non-technical side, we will continue to be actively involved in the community, organize events, develop new skills, help as many children as possible to get closer to robotics. And we believe that we are prepared for what our experience in America means and we will properly represent Romania,' said Raluca.
The team also won the Control Award at the national stage of the competition, for the best autonomy and robot programming.
Iuliana emphasized the important role of the coordinating teachers, including Lica Daniela, director of the Prahova County Center of Excellence, also known as the 'trainer of geniuses'.
'It is very important to have support and guidance, advice, because our mentors, Mrs. Lica Daniela Lica, who is also the director of the Prahova County Center of Excellence, and Mrs. Iulia Suditu, who is an English teacher and journalist and project coordinator in our college, help us a lot. Mrs. Lica Daniela Daniela helps us on the more technical side, on the programming side and this is very important for us, because she is a person who has a lot of experience, who shares her knowledge with us, and Mrs. Suditu on the marketing side, she helps us a lot with promotion,' explained Iuliana Georgescu.
As for the financial side, the team benefits from sponsorships from people who want to support the field of science, the cost of the robot that earned the 15 pupils the qualification to Huston, exceeding 10.000 EUR, as some parts were imported from America.
For the future, the girls want to stay in Romania and continue their studies in the field.
'Personally, I'm thinking of going into automation and robotics because I discovered this field and fell in love with it. In principle, I want to stay in Romania, even though most people tend to leave because yes, it's true, we don't necessarily have the greatest technology. I think that maybe if so far we, as a team, have managed to make an impact and do something, maybe I will be able to do that in college and afterwards, and to help others but also better myself,' says Iuliana.
Raluca hasn't decided which specialization she will pursue, but she will remain in the STEM field because she is passionate about everything involving mathematics, physics and computer science. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Anamaria Constantin; EN - writing by: Simona Iacob)
The content of the www.agerpres.ro website has the exclusive purpose of public informing.
All the information published on this website by AGERPRES is protected by relevant legal dispositions.
It is forbidden to copy, reproduce, recompile, decompile, distribute, publish, display, modify, create derived components or products or full services, as well as any exploitation of the site's content.
Details in the section Terms of Use. If you are interested in picking up AGERPRES news items, please contact the Marketing Department – [email protected].
The use of the Comments section entails your obligation to respect the AGERPRES terms and conditions in regards to the publishing of comments on the www.agerpres.ro.
Other news in category
Romania, U.S. sign memorandum on green energy storage through pumped storage hydropower plants
Romania's Hidroelectrica and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) - U.S. Department of Energy have initialled a memorandum that puts Romania at the forefront of Europe in the storage of green energy through pumped storage hydropower plants (PSH) throughout the Carpathian chain, Romania's Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja announced on Monday.
Mountain rescuers recover four Ukrainian citizens from Maramuresului Mountains
Four Ukrainian citizens who crossed the border into Romania through the Maramuresului Mountains and who asked for help from mountain rescuers were recovered from the mountain on the night between Sunday and Monday and handed over to the authorities, informs the head of the Maramures County Mountain Rescue Public Service (SPJ), Dan Benga. 'This was a search
Pope Francis funeral/Medal of Pope's 2019 visit to Romania placed in his coffin
The medal of Pope Francis' 2019 visit to Romania was placed beside him during the coffin-closing and sealing ceremony held on Friday evening. The ceremony included the impressive ritual of the covering of Francis' face with a white silk cloth. A bag containing coins and medals minted during his pontificate was placed in the coffin, including the medal
Groundbreaking ceremony for Prut River 'Flower Bridge', with Romanian and Moldovan authorities attending
Romanian and Moldovan officials are to attend on Saturday the groundbreaking ceremony for the first motorway road bridge across the Prut River in the last 60 years - the Ungheni Bridge, an event symbolically called the Flower Bridge Festival. The new bridge will connect the commune of Zagarancea in the Republic of Moldova's Ungheni District with the Golaes
Pope Francis funeral/National mourning day for the late pontiff, Romanian flag flown at half-mast
Romania observes on Saturday a day of mourning in honor of Pope Francis, following a government decision to this effect. 'We approve a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of His Holiness Pope Francis, to be observed on Saturday, April 26, the very day of his funeral at the Vatican. It is a decision that shows our deep respect for his complete ope
EU on high alert over Russia's hybrid offensive on Europe's democracies (enr)
Hybrid threats, in particular from Russia, have flooded Europe in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine. EU officials and intelligence reports warn of a surge in attacks designed to destabilise European democracies - with national elections, infrastructure, and public trust in the crosshairs. The European Union has become increasingly concerned about Russian int
Romania to remember Pope Francis on April 26, day of national mourning
The Romanian government on April 24, 2025, approved declaring April 26, 2025, a day of mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, on the very day of the pope's funeral at the Vatican. 'A spiritual and moral leader, Pope Francis stood out for his active involvement in the life of contemporary society, a profound personality, also appreciated by the
President Bolojan: Marking 20 years since signing of EU Accession Treaty, opportunity to focus on consolidating European path
Interim President Ilie Bolojan conveyed a message on Friday, on the 20th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Accession of Romania to the European Union. 'We are marking today 20 years since the signing of the Treaty of Accession of Romania to the European Union on April 25, 2005, a key moment that paved the way for our integration, which was finali
'Cindrelul - Junii Sibiului' folk ensemble to represent Romania at EuropaFest in Germany
According to a decision adopted on Thursday by the Sibiu County Council, the professional folk ensemble 'Cindrelul - Junii Sibiului' will represent Romania at the EuropaFest cultural festival running May 17 - 20 in the German city of Landshut. 'The artists will present folk dances representative of Romania's major ethnographic areas and of Sibi
Romania and Moldova to launch construction of first road bridge over Prut in last six decades
The Republic of Moldova and Romania will jointly mark, on Saturday, the launch of the construction of the first motorway bridge over the Prut River in the last six decades - the Ungheni Bridge, through a symbolic event generically called the 'Flower Bridge' Festival. The bridge will connect the Zagarancea locality in Ungheni district (the Republic of M
Cohesion and common agricultural policies, of major interest, says PM Ciolacu at meeting with Commissioner Serafin
Romania will play an active and constructive role in the consultations for the post 2027 Multiannual Financial Framework so that it results in a balanced proposal, able to respond to the objectives of the European Union and to the political, economic and security changes, said Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, at the meeting with the delegation led by the European Commissioner
Gov't approves day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu has announced that Saturday April 26 will be a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, saying that this is a 'decision that shows deep respect for the total openness and warmth permanently shown to Romanians.' 'We approve a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of Pope Francis, on Saturda
Public invited to see election technology at Cotroceni Presidential Palace on weekend
The gates to the Cotroceni Presidential Palace will open to the public again, and this time it is the turn of the Special Telecommunications Service (STS) to delight visitors of all ages. From Friday to Sunday, 10:00hrs-18:00hrs, STS will conduct interactive activities for children and adults alike, an exhibition of special vehicles and special telecommunicati
PM Ciolacu signs condolence book at Apostolic Nunciature to Romania
Bucharest, April 24 /Agerpres/ - Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu wrote a message on Thursday morning in a condolence book opened at the Apostolic Nunciature to Romania in memory of the Pope Francis. He spent a few minutes in the embassy headquarters. A condolence book for officials is open inside the diplomatic mission, and all those who wish to c
Commemorative march in footsteps of Romanian heroes fallen on the Western Front arrives in Oarba de Mures
The commemorative march titled 'In the footsteps of the Romanian heroes fallen on the Western Front - Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic', organized by the Ministry of National Defence, through the National Office for the Cult of Heroes, on the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, arrived on Wednesday at the Heroes Cemetery in Oarba de Mures, where several tho