The Bermuda National Robotics Team returned to the island this week after testing their mettle at the First Global Robotics Competition.

Students from 181 countries took part in the event last week in Panama and the Bermuda delegation left with some of its best results to date.

Team Bermuda competed in 12 matches and achieved a ranking score of 60.18, placing them 39th overall in the standings.

A spokeswoman said: “One of the standout moments of the tournament came during the team’s match as part of the alliance, where Bermuda partnered with Team China and Team Venezuela.

“Together, they scored 128 points, a record-breaking score at that moment in the competition and one of the highest heat scores seen throughout the event.”

This achievement showcased Bermuda’s technical skill, teamwork and competitive spirit against some of the world’s strongest science, technology, engineering and maths nations.

The Bermuda team’s competition robot, affectionately named Lo-Quat, was engaged in a sustainability-focused challenge.

Aleshka Urrutia Maurio, the team captain and a student of The Berkeley Institute, said: “The most stressful part was the human component, breaking down language barriers and having to direct not just my team but alliance teams as well.”

She was joined in Panama by vice-captain Joy Yammin and team members Ava Simons, Ryan Williams and Max Kempe.

Their efforts were supported by a “home team” of students including Aiden Herrick, Amouri Hollis, Axel Cardell-Naranjo, Finlay Currie, King Hunt, Max Pothumus, Nadia DeSousa, Ryan Mclean, Sage DeSousa and Zahari Burgess, who trained in collaboration, coding, engineering and strategy.

The spokeswoman said: “Our students proved once again that Bermuda belongs on the international robotics stage.

“Their skill, heart, and teamwork embody the future of Bermuda’s technology talent.”