“The minute I had a chance to walk into the tent, I could just feel the energy…it’s a wonderful [representation] of all the best that is in science and research.”
– Rear Admiral Kurt J. Rothenhaus, Chief of Naval Research
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
International Robotics Teams Excel at RoboNation’s 2024 Maritime RobotX Challenge
SARASOTA, FL – Students from the National University of Singapore sailed their way to victory at the 2024 Maritime RobotX Challenge. This multi-domain robotics competition, which concluded November 9th in Sarasota, Florida, challenged 15 university teams from six countries and six U.S. states to demonstrate autonomous maritime systems in real-world-inspired tasks.
Competition tasks, including object detection, station keeping, and perception, reflect real-world scenarios in industries such as defense, marine exploration, disaster relief, and environmental monitoring. The RobotX Challenge is designed to inspire and prepare the future workforce. Participants gain practical experience and connections that pave the way for promising careers in robotics and engineering.
The RobotX Challenge, generously supported by the U.S. Office of Naval Research and industry sponsors, connects students, educators, industry professionals, and government organizations, fostering a diverse and globally connected robotics community.
During the final day of the competition, RoboNation was pleased to welcome the Chief of Naval Research, Rear Admiral Kurt J. Rothenhaus to the competition.
“The minute I had a chance to walk into the [team] tent, I could just feel the energy,” RADM Rothenhaus said of the competition during his visit. “You can see the teams helping each other, and cheering each other on, it’s a wonderful [representation] of all the best that is in science and research.”
Top performing teams and awards:
- 1st Place ($30,000): National University of Singapore from Singapore, Singapore (Bumblebee Autonomous Systems)
- 2nd Place ($15,000): Korea Maritime and Ocean University from Yeongdo-Gu, Busan, South Korea (KMOU MACRO)
- 3rd Place ($10,000): Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from Daytona Beach, Florida, USA (Team Minion)
- 4th Place ($5,000): Advancing Science Technology and Art / University of California, San Diego from San Diego, California, USA (Team Inspiration)
- 5th Place ($4,000): Nanyang Technological University from Singapore, Singapore (Archimedes)
- 6th Place ($2,500): Florida Atlantic University from Dania Beach, Florida, USA (Owltonomous)
For a full list of competing universities and awards, and to learn more about the Maritime RobotX Challenge, visit robotx.org.
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
