FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RoboSub 2026 Showcases the Next Generation of Underwater Autonomy
IRVINE, CALIFORNIA – The next generation of engineers put autonomous underwater technology to the test at the 29th annual RoboSub Competition, held July 11–16 at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatics Center in Irvine, California. The international competition brought together 58 student teams representing nine countries to design, build, and operate autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) in a series of complex, real-world-inspired missions.
Hosted by nonprofit educational organization, RoboNation, RoboSub challenges students to move their systems beyond the lab and demonstrate reliable autonomy in a dynamic underwater environment. Throughout the competition, teams put months of engineering, testing and iteration into action while demonstrating capabilities in perception, navigation, decision-making, object manipulation, and autonomous vehicle operations.
This year’s competition centered on RoboNation’s Storm Response: Technology in Action for Recovery and Relief theme, challenging teams to consider how uncrewed systems can support recovery, resilience and discovery following natural disasters. Missions reflected applications including restoring harbor operations, assessing underwater infrastructure and supporting exploration in challenging environments.
After several days of testing and competition, Bumblebee Autonomous Systems from the National University of Singapore earned first place in the 2026 Autonomy Challenge, followed by Istanbul Technical University’s ITU AUV TEAM and Nanyang Technological University’s Mecatron.
RoboSub 2026 Autonomy Challenge Final Standings
- 1st Place: National University of Singapore, Bumblebee Autonomous Systems | Singapore
- 2nd Place: Istanbul Technical University, ITU AUV TEAM | Türkiye
- 3rd Place: Nanyang Technological University, Mecatron | Singapore
- 4th Place: The Ohio State University, Ohio State Underwater Robotics Team | USA
- 5th Place: Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, AUV-IITB | India
- 6th Place: McGill University, McGill Robotics | Canada
- 7th Place: Arizona State University / Firewheel STEM Institute, Desert WAVE | USA
Bumblebee Autonomous Systems also earned the top overall Design Documentation award, as well as recognition for Top Assessment, Top Report and Top Video. Nanyang Technological University placed second in overall Design Documentation, while Indian Institute of Technology Bombay and The Ohio State University tied for third.
“RoboSub is ultimately about preparing students to step into the workforce ready to contribute,” said Alicia Gavin, Director of Communications and Marketing at RoboNation. “They are gaining hands-on experience with the technologies, systems, and challenges shaping the future of maritime autonomy, while building the technical skills, resilience, and ability to work across disciplines that employers need. RoboNation develops the workforce that will take this industry forward.”
Beyond competition, RoboSub serves as a meeting point between students and the government, industry and academic communities advancing autonomous systems. Through technical engagement, mentorship and hands-on problem solving, students gain exposure to the organizations and career pathways helping move maritime autonomy from research and development into real-world operations.
The 2026 competition was made possible through the support of organizations across the maritime, defense and technology communities, including the Office of Naval Research, Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC Pacific), Anduril, MathWorks, Blue Robotics, SOLIDWORKS, and additional partners and supporters.
About RoboNation:
RoboNation, a nonprofit organization, is on a mission to provide hands-on robotics education, empowering students to tackle global challenges. With a portfolio of nine educational programs spanning K-12 and university levels, RoboNation cultivates the next generation of engineers, manufacturers, fabricators, programmers, and more. Participants in RoboNation programs represent the highly skilled workforce of tomorrow. Learn more at robonation.org.
Media Contact:
Alicia Gavin
Director of Communications and Marketing, RoboNation
Email: agavin@robonation.org
Phone: 571-455-4156
