FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Maritime RobotX Challenge Returns to Singapore
International robotics competition will bring 25 teams from 12 countries to the Promontory at Marina Bay, 9–14 November 2026
SINGAPORE — More than a decade after the first Maritime RobotX Challenge launched in Singapore, the international autonomous robotics competition is returning to where it all began.
The Ministry of Defence, Singapore and the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR), in collaboration with RoboNation and the National University of Singapore (NUS), will bring the Maritime RobotX Challenge back to Singapore for its sixth edition. From 9–14 November 2026, 25 student teams representing 12 countries will compete at the Promontory at Marina Bay, placing the next generation of robotics and autonomy talent in the heart of Singapore.
The Maritime RobotX Challenge is a biennial competition that rotates between the United States and international venues with the most recent RobotX Challenge in 2024 being hosted in Sarasota, Florida.
“Twelve years later, we have an opportunity to celebrate how far this community has come while putting the spotlight exactly where it belongs: on the students who are working to become the engineers, researchers and technology leaders shaping what comes next,” said Daryl Davidson, President and CEO, RoboNation.
RobotX challenges teams to work across multiple domains, bringing together maritime surface, subsurface and aerial technologies while building expertise in autonomy, systems integration, engineering, collaboration and complex problem-solving.
Through RobotX, students apply years of research, design, fabrication, software development and testing in a real-world environment, developing a system of systems capable of operating in complex maritime conditions, this year themed after storm response. Competition tasks include perception, navigation, multi-vehicle coordination, obstacle avoidance, communications, and real-world engineering problem-solving.
RobotX bridges classroom theory with the practical experience students need to enter a rapidly evolving industry. Participating in the Challenge connects students with industry and academic leaders, helping build pathways into the future maritime technology workforce.
“RobotX gives students the opportunity to develop and demonstrate the skills needed to advance robotic and autonomous systems in complex, real-world environments. Experiences like this are an important part of building the technical workforce, creating pathways for emerging engineers and researchers to apply their knowledge, solve difficult problems and see how their skills can contribute to the maritime challenges of the future,” said Chris Buzzell, Program Officer, U.S. Office of Naval Research.
The 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge will take place 8–14 November 2026, at the Promontory at Marina Bay in Singapore. The event will be open to the public, and media are encouraged to attend. For media coordination, please contact Alicia Gavin at agavin@robonation.org.
Additional information about participating teams, competition activities and opportunities to experience RobotX is available at robotx.org.
About RoboNation:
RoboNation, a nonprofit organisation, is on a mission to provide hands-on robotics education, empowering students to tackle global challenges. With a portfolio of nine educational programmes spanning primary, secondary, and university levels, RoboNation cultivates the next generation of engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, programmers, and more. Participants in RoboNation programmes represent the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow. Learn more at robonation.org.
About ONR:
ONR was established in 1946 “…to plan, foster, and encourage scientific research in recognition of its paramount importance as related to the maintenance of future naval power, and the preservation of national security.” ONR is tasked with discovering, developing and delivering new technology and capability for the Navy and Marine Corps. Visit https://www.onr.navy.mil to learn more.
Media Contact:
Alicia Gavin
Director of Communications and Marketing, RoboNation
Email: agavin@robonation.org
Phone: 571-455-4156
