(Press Release) The 13th ABU Robocon 2014 to be held in Pune, India 〜 18 teams from 17 countries and regions will compete ～ TOKYO, August 1st 2014- “ABU Asia-Pacific Robot contest (ABU Robocon)” will be held in Pune, India, on August 24th (Sun). The contest, which marks its 13th anniversary this year, is a unique TV program project originally proposed by NHK and launched in 2002. Students representing ABU countries and regions will compete with their own hand-made robots. This year, 18 teams selected from 17 countries and regions will participate. The theme for the competition this year is “A SALUTE TO PARENTHOOD.” A parent robot and a child robot will challenge four tasks which simulate playground equipment such as a seesaw or a swing. Nagoya Institute of Technology, who has just snatched their first victory in the NHK University Robocon on June 1st, will represent Japan. Will Japan be able to manage a consecutive victory from last year’s contest in Da-Nang, Vietnam? Tough Nagoya Institute of Technology, representative opponents are expected to come up, including Vietnam who of Japan (NHK University Robocon) was the runner-up by a narrow margin last year, Thailand or Indonesia. India with the home advantage has gained rapid momentum and will compete hard. No doubt there will be a heated and exciting competition for the championship. ABU Asia-Pacific Robocon 2014 in Pune, India Date: August 24th (Sunday) 9:00 A.M. - (Local time) Place: Pune, India Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex Participants (planned): Bangladesh, Egypt, Fiji, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, Russia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam Internationally co-produced TV coverage of the competition will be distributed and broadcast by the participating stations. NHK’s Broadcast Plan in Japan “ABU Robocon 2014, Team Japan’s road to the Championship” (working title) on NHK GTV September 23, 2014 (Tuesday/National holiday) ABU (Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union) ○ ABU consists of more than 260 member broadcasters across 64 countries and regions. NHK has served in the Administrative Council since ABU’s inception in 1964. ○ Members exchange news or program materials, programs co-production, co-host competitions or share technical information, etc. Based on NHK’s proposal, ABU sponsors “ABU Robocon” and produces “ABU Children’s Drama Co-production Series,” etc. ○ This year marks ABU’s 50th anniversary, and the commemorative general assembly will be held in October 22-28 in Macau. .