Cranbrook Robotics to Take Over Somerset Collection

Shopping at will be a bit different this weekend as more than 100 students from Cranbook Kingswood will convene at the mall to share their expertise in robotics with hands-on demonstrations for the public.

The second annual World of Robots will take place from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday in the mall's center court. Students from the Cranbrook Schools Robotics Club will show their latest creations across a broad spectrum of robotic engineering and allow passersby an opportunity to try out the controls.

In addition to club members, representatives from the club's partners, including Lawrence Technological University in Southfield, will be on site. The event, co-presented by LEGO, drew between 12,000 to 15,000 participants over a two-day period last year.

"We have very strong robotics clubs, and it really is one of the premier events these students use to showcase their talents and have a lot of fun," Cranbrook spokesman Clay Matthews said.

The event is open to children of all ages and offers a unique glimpse into the high-energy field of competitive robotics, he added.