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A spectacular robot or the right robot? That is the question.
A new session of the Emerson Summer School 2026 brought robotics to the forefront through a presentation delivered by Prof. Diana Popescu, PhD, Habil., from the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest.
Starting with a seemingly simple question—”What exactly is a robot?”—the young participants moved from basic operating principles to industrial, mobile, and humanoid robots. They explored various architectures, sensors, effectors, workspaces, payloads, precision, and repeatability—but above all, they learned how all these elements must be considered in relation to the specific application.
In engineering, we don’t choose a robot because it is spectacular, but because it is the right fit for the problem we want to solve. Sometimes the optimal solution is an industrial robot, a mobile robot, or a cobot; other times, it might simply be a well-designed mechanism. 😊
Then, theory met practice: working in teams, the participants analyzed real robotic cells. They sought to identify the robot and system components, understand how they work together, and—most importantly—argue whether the chosen robot was truly suitable for the application.
Thank you, Prof. Diana Popescu, PhD, Habil., for a session that challenged our young participants not only to learn more about robots but also to think like future engineers: to observe, compare, ask questions, and seek the right solution—not just the most spectacular one. ❤️…
🎶🤖 What do a piece of music and a robot have in common? More than we might think.
The meeting between the young participants of the Emerson Summer School 2026 and Cătălin Marius Blîndu began with the question: “Where do musical pieces begin, and how do we express our feelings through music?”
Step by step, tracing the journey from an initial idea and melody to the finished track, the discussion went beyond music itself. After all, whether you are working on a song or designing and building a robot, the final result relies on people who must learn to work together.
What do you do when frustration sets in? Or burnout? How do you handle perfectionism, impatience, or a lack of motivation? What is your team’s toughest challenge? What is something you could never accept from a teammate? How much do you trust others? What happens when an unexpected change occurs? Or when testing happens too little or too late? And—perhaps most importantly—what do you do after a failure?
Questions about music? Engineering? Robotics? People?
About all of them, actually.
Using the process of composing a piece of music as a starting point, the young participants arrived at a genuine exploration of teamwork, trust, responsibility, managing pressure and frustration, perseverance, and the courage to make mistakes, test ideas, and try again.
Thank you, Cătălin Marius Blîndu, for a session about music that turned out to be about so much more! ❤️…
1.”Win As Much As You Can!” But who has to win?
One of the Emerson Summer School 2026 workshops challenged our young participants to engage in a seemingly simple game—”Win as Much as You Can!”—led by Tibi Borza (co-founder of Adaptive Skills Lab) and senior trainer Bogdan Popescu.
Divided into teams and faced with a series of choices, the children tried to rack up as many points as possible. However, the outcome of each decision depended not only on their own strategy but also on the choices made by the others. 😊
So, they strategized, negotiated, and took risks; we all shared plenty of laughs and asked lots of questions.
Beyond the fun, the game taught us about trust, cooperation, communication, honoring agreements, and the consequences of our choices; about the allure of immediate gain and how easily trust can be lost; but also about the fact that, when we look beyond individual self-interest, we can discover solutions where one person’s gain doesn’t have to mean another’s loss.
2.How well do you know yourself? What about the people around you?
A new workshop as part of the Emerson Summer School 2026—once again led by Tibi Borza and Bogdan Popescu—challenged young participants to take a closer look at themselves and try to better understand others, too. 😊
This time, the session utilized DISC, a model describing four major behavioral dimensions: D – Dominance, I – Influence, S – Steadiness, and C – Conscientiousness. Each of us combines these behavioral tendencies in varying proportions, and the way they manifest shapes our unique style of communicating, reacting, and relating to others.
The young participants discovered why some people tend to be more direct and result-oriented, while others are more sociable and enthusiastic; why some are patient and cooperative, whereas others are analytical, detail-oriented, and focused on accuracy. 😊
They also realized that our differences shouldn’t drive us apart; instead, they should encourage us to seek understanding, enabling us to communicate more effectively, improve our collaboration skills, and ultimately build stronger teams.
After all, no single style is “better” than another. Knowing who we are isn’t enough; we also need to understand the other person—and why they might not think, communicate, or react exactly the way we do.
Thank you, Tibi Borza and Bogdan Popescu, for coming up with two amazing workshops where play, curiosity, and learning came together so beautifully! ❤️…
Emerson Summer School 2026 – bringing professional expertise closer to young people…
The Emerson Summer School 2026 program continued with presentations delivered by Robert Pieptan, Project Pursuit Manager for Romania and Moldova, and Florin Bobea, Sales Manager for Final Control (Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece).
The two speakers discussed Emerson’s solutions for distributed control systems and industrial rotating equipment maintenance, as well as measurement instrumentation (transmitters, flow meters, sensors, analyzers) and valves (control, isolation, and smart positioners).
They also offered a behind-the-scenes look at complex technological projects, providing concrete examples related to industry and automation trends, the management of complex technical projects, and corporate leadership and dynamics.
We are grateful for the time they dedicated to us, for their willingness to share their experience and knowledge, and—above all—for the openness with which they engaged with the young participants and answered their questions.
Thank you, Robert Pieptan and Florin Bobea, for joining us! 🤝
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Emerson Summer School 2026 has begun!
Today we officially started the first edition of Emerson Summer School, and this first day gave the young participants the opportunity to have a dialogue with Mr. Sebastian Ferecus, the Emerson General Director for Central and Southeast Europe.
Thank you for your support to this initiative, for your presence and presentation, but especially for your openness and patience with which you answered the many questions of our young people. Their curiosity confirmed, once again, how valuable are direct meetings between young people and professionals willing to share their experience.
To us, Emerson Summer School is all about: people, ideas, questions, experiences, and opportunities to learn beyond the classroom.
And we’re just getting started! 
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We are reopening registration for the Mechatronics and Robotics School!
Are you between 13 and 18 years old? Are you curious, do you love technology, or do you simply want to build extraordinary things? If so, we invite you to join the team at the Open for Business Association’s Mechatronics and Robotics School, developed in collaboration with the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest.
Throughout the program, you will have the opportunity to:
-🤖 develop your technical knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as your teamwork spirit, in a practical and friendly environment alongside mentors and students from UNST Politehnica Bucharest;
-🛠️ contribute to the design and construction of competition robots;
-🏆 be part of our team competing in the FIRST Tech Challenge and join us in other national and international competitions.
📅 Activities take place outside of school hours.
👉 If you want to join our team, fill out the following registration form.
📌 Registration deadline: October 1, 2026.
ℹ️ After the registration period closes, selected students and their parents will be invited to a meeting to learn more about the program and how the activities are conducted.
We look forward to welcoming you to the SMR team!
Check out the original post on Facebook.…
The first team-building activity for the SMR team took place on June 20th at Attitude Lounge in Urziceni. The event featured a karaoke session where each member performed a song of their own choosing.
The team also came together to sing in unison. The goal of this activity was to step out of their comfort zones and prepare for upcoming challenges, particularly those related to competitions.
The event was well-received by both the team members and the other guests present. We would like to thank the venue once again for hosting us, and we look forward to future team-building activities.
The journey of the School of Mechatronics and Robotics, an initiative of the OPEN for Business Association from Urziceni, continues.
As a result of the collaboration between the Association and the Gârbovi Town Hall, today, June 5, alongside Mayor Vasile Popa and Deputy Mayor Bogdan Oancea, and surrounded by the enthusiastic presence of the children, we inaugurated the mechatronics and robotics laboratory. The lab has been set up in one of the rooms of the Cultural Center, a space graciously provided by the local authorities.
Soon, we will organize a new edition of the Open Lab Day. This will be an opportunity to show the community, the authorities, and especially children and teenagers how play can spark passion and give rise to dreams that can later transform into successful careers in cutting-edge technological fields.
The original Facebook post can be found here.…
We are delighted to announce the signing of the partnership between OPEN for Business and the Gârbovi Town Hall—a collaboration that opens up new opportunities for the training and development of our SMR team.
Through this partnership, we are building more than just a workspace together; we are creating a place where a passion for technology, creativity, and team spirit will come to life.
We are deeply grateful for the Gârbovi Town Hall’s trust and openness in supporting initiatives that help young people learn, experiment, and transform their curiosity into real-world projects.
#OPENforBusiness #SMR #STEM #Education #Partnership #Robotics #Future #Community #Gârbovi
You may find the original Facebook post here.…
Following the visit to Cisco on April 8, 2026, all participants enjoyed the presentation given by our host, Mr. Corneliu, who discussed the vast opportunities within the IT industry, the career paths we can pursue for success, and the Cisco Networking Academy program.
Members of the SMR team also expressed their interest in taking further courses offered through the program. It was an exciting experience!
We are grateful for this opportunity and hope to participate in similar activities in the future.
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Exactly like that, with small steps, BUT determined and consistent!
Here is the original post.…
A new step for the School of Mechatronics and Robotics team!
Today, we took another important step toward our goal for 2026: participating in the FIRST Tech Challenge Competition.
Together, we visited the Sports Hall in Ploiești, where we watched the first day of the Romania South-East League Tournament. We experienced the thrill of the competition, met amazing teams, made new friends, saw robots in action, and soaked up the high-energy atmosphere—complete with music, supporters, judges, and sooo much enthusiasm.
For our young high school students (and the youngest member of the team, a 7th grader), it was exactly the kind of experience that makes you want to step into “the ring” as soon as possible.
We returned home with fresh ideas, new contacts, badges, and small keepsakes, but above all, with the excitement and conviction that we are embarking on one of the greatest adventures for our kids.
The journey is just beginning!
Find the original post here, on Facebook.…
Yesterday, Saturday, January 17, 2026, marked the inaugural edition of the “Open Doors Day” event, organized by the School of Mechatronics and Robotics, a project by Open for Business.
In front of parents, coordinators, and guests, the members of the SMR team—Raluca, Tudor, Mircea, Fane, Cristi, Alex, Victor, and the youngest members, Rareș and Robert—students ranging from 7th to 11th grade and the true protagonists of the event, presented their work from the first three months of activity.
Although the meeting marked a first milestone review, we wanted yesterday to be, above all, a working session: an opportunity to analyze what we did well and what can be improved, so that the young participants are even more motivated, strive for excellence, and develop both professionally and socially.
We all appreciated the children’s hard work, dedication, and results, the involvement of the coordinators, and last but not least, the constant support of the parents and all the team’s backers. It was emphasized that this is just the beginning of a long road ahead, full of challenges, but given the enthusiasm and energy of these young people, it is already shaping up to be a unique journey, meant to bring joy, purpose, and unforgettable memories.
Our thanks go out to our hosts and partners, the “Iordache Zosima” Technological High School from Armășești, Ialomița, who have stood by us with great enthusiasm, from the management team to the Board of Directors.
#OpenForBusiness #Mecatronică #Robotică #EducațiePentruViitor
You may find the link to the original Facebook post here.…
Today concluded the third edition of the O4B workshop dedicated to entrepreneurship. Under the title ‘Entrepreneurship and Sustainability’, participants from different generations and fields of activity met to discuss and analyze what responsible entrepreneurship means.
Alongside the members of the Association were students of the Urziceni Mechatronics and Robotics School, university students, PhD candidates, and guests with experience in sustainability, entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence, and AR/VR/XR technologies.
Workshops, roundtables, and applied discussions were organized, naturally blended with informal conversations, meant to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences. From Green Makers and sustainability as a common mission, to cultural and editorial entrepreneurship, each day brought different perspectives and real dialogue.
We thank all participants for their presence, involvement, and openness to building meaning and direction together!
Our sincere thanks go to Mihaela Andreea Șuteu – handmade artisan, George Deac – IT expert & AI music maker, Irina Lazar – Prof. Dr. eng., Director, Department of Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy, University College London, Ec. Ioana Botezatu – CSR expert, BRD Societe Generale Global Solution Centre, L. M. Aria – historical fiction writer, Ciprian Lungeanu, InkStory Publishing.
#entrepreneurship #sustainability #education #creativity
You can find the post on facebook here.…
🌟 In the process of educational and personal development, the support of children and youth must be constant and achieved through joint efforts. Only in this way do the results become sustainable and bring emotion and pride, to both children and parents. 💫
The Open for Business Association from Urziceni, which launched the Mechatronics and Robotics School project for children aged 10 to 18 on October 1, 2025, has set off on this journey alongside the Department of Robots and Production Systems within the Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Robotics – UNST Politehnica Bucharest.
🤝 Starting Saturday, October 31, the coordinating team was joined by the “Iordache Zossima” Agricultural High School and the Armășești City Hall, which provided a classroom to organize the laboratory of the Mechatronics and Robotics School.
💙 We thank the enthusiastic partners, parents, and children who make the existence of this wonderful place possible — a space where technology blends with fun, and dreams take shape. The children learn, play, and prepare themselves, step by step, to become great and skilled adults! 🤖✨
You can find the post on facebook here.…
Yesterday, October 11, 2025, after two introductory sessions with the students and parents, the first official meeting of the Open for Business Association’s Mechatronics and Robotics School took place, in partnership with the Department of Robots and Production Systems from the University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest. The event was marked by an open and enthusiastic atmosphere, and the directions set are ambitious and oriented towards both the professional and personal development of the students.
You can find the post on facebook here.…
Dear parents and young tech enthusiasts,
Thank you for your interest in the Mechatronics and Robotics Training School program, launched by the Open for Business Urziceni Association in collaboration with UNST Politehnica Bucharest! We would like to inform you that the preliminary meeting with all those enrolled will take place:
🗓️ Saturday, 11:00 AM
📍 Attitude Lounge, Urziceni
This meeting will be an opportunity to get to know each other, to clarify the program and potential future activities, and to answer your questions. We warmly welcome you, ready for an interactive discussion and to begin our adventure together in the world of mechatronics and robotics!
You can find the post on facebook here!…
How We Built a Team Before Building a Robot
The School of Mechatronics and Robotics is a project of the Open for Business association, carried out in partnership with the Politehnica University of Bucharest, addressed to students in pre-university education.
For our team, however, this project meant more than just a simple learning opportunity. It represented the beginning of a “building” process. Our journey began, first and foremost, with the desire to learn and to build something together, step by step.
Team formation
On September 27, 2025, the first meeting of the project took place, a moment that played an essential role in defining our direction. This meeting was dedicated to getting to know each other and establishing a common ground among students, parents, and coordinators. The objectives of the program, the structure of activities, and the perspectives for development were discussed, but, more importantly than all of these, a framework of trust was created. After this meeting, we committed to a long-term process that requires involvement, consistency, and collaboration. Although we did not yet have experience or concrete results, this meeting laid the foundations of a team, and this would become one of the most important advantages of our team.
“In the process of educational and personal formation, the support of children and youth must be constant and achieved through joint efforts. Only in this way do the results become sustainable and bring emotion and pride, to both the children and the parents.” – Open for Business Association
From enthusiasm to structure
Shortly after this initial stage, on October 11, 2025, the first official meeting of the School of Mechatronics and Robotics took place, at which point the project transitioned from the introductory phase to an organized working framework. Held in partnership with the National University of Science and Technology Politehnica Bucharest, this meeting laid the groundwork regarding the direction of the project. During this stage, we began to understand that our participation implies more than just being present at activities. It was about committing to a continuous development process, in which each of us had an active role. The initial enthusiasm began to be accompanied by responsibility, and the idea of a “team” started to gain real meaning.
The laboratory and workspaces
A defining element of our journey was the organization and functioning of the laboratory, the place where theory was to be transformed into practice. Unlike a classic, stable environment, our activity took place in several locations, namely: Armășești, Politehnica Bucharest, and later Gârbovi.
This mobility represented a real challenge, because each change of location involved reorganizing, adapting, mobilizing, and resuming activities in a new environment. Nevertheless, the team did not lose its rhythm. We learned to work regardless of the conditions and to focus on the process, not the context. Over time, it became obvious that the laboratory is defined by the people who make it up. This stage demonstrated to us that progress does not depend on stability, but on consistency and involvement.
Our progress and rhythm
Once the working framework was established, we entered a stage of constant activity, where weekly meetings became the foundation of our progress. These meetings aimed at organizing the team, as well as technical discussions, necessary to maintain the team’s coherence.
During this period, we started effectively working with components, testing circuits, and understanding the mechanisms behind the functioning of a system. The process was not a simple or linear one. There were difficulties, errors, and moments of uncertainty, but each of these contributed to the accumulation of experience. Progress was not the result of a single moment, but of a constant effort, sustained over time. This stage was essential because it taught us that real development is built through discipline and continuity.
Understanding and deepening of knowledge
An important moment in expanding our perspective was participating, on December 21, 2025, in the workshop dedicated to entrepreneurship and sustainability, organized by Open for Business (O4B). This event represented an opportunity to step out of the strictly technical zone and understand the role of technology in a broader context.
Workshops, roundtables, and applied discussions were organized, naturally combined with informal conversations, meant to facilitate the exchange of ideas and experiences. From Green Makers and sustainability as a common mission, to cultural and editorial entrepreneurship, each day brought different perspectives and genuine dialogue.
We began to understand how to approach problems in professional ways and generally developed our experience. This change of perspective played an important role in the team’s maturation.
The first moment of reflection
On January 17, 2026, the “Open Lab Day” took place, held at the “Iordache Zossima” technological high school in Armășești, an event that marked the first moment of evaluating our activity. Each member of the SMR team presented their work from the first three months of activity.
We had the opportunity to identify the strong points, as well as the aspects that require improvement, which allowed us to adjust our direction and build our own path forward.
Stepping into the competitive domain
Participating, on February 7, 2026, in the South-East Regional held in Ploiești, marked a huge step for the team. For the first time, we came into direct contact with the FIRST Tech Challenge competitive environment.
The experience was a complex one, offering us a clear perspective on the level at which the competition takes place. We observed professional teams, analyzed functional robots, and understood the complexity of organizing such an event.
This experience transformed our objective from an improbable idea into a concrete target. We returned with increased motivation and a much clearer understanding of the steps necessary to get there.
Team consolidation
Over time, the team progressed little by little, began to function more efficiently, and responsibilities became better defined.
We learned to collaborate, communicate, and manage tasks in a structured way, a result of the work we put in and the experience gained.
Thus, we transitioned from a group of students