March 11, 2025
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SARASOTA, FL – After fierce head-to-head challenges on the water, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember’s Barunastra ITS RoboBoat Team emerged victorious, claiming 1st place. The biggest RoboBoat competition has concluded with a record-breaking 27 teams from nine countries and nine U.S. states and territories. The 2025 RoboBoat Competition brought together the brightest young minds in autonomous maritime robotics for an unforgettable week of innovation and high-stakes competition.
RoboBoat is an annual international competition where university and high school students design, build, and operate fully autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs) to complete complex maritime challenges. Teams integrate real-world applications in autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance, docking, and precision sensing.
The top teams of the 2025 RoboBoat Competition are:
1st Place ($4,500): Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (Barunastra ITS RoboBoat Team)
2nd Place ($2,500): Universitas Sebelas Maret (Bengawan UV Team)
3rd Place ($1,500): AGH University of Krakow (AGH Solar Boat Team)
4th Place ($1,500): University of Michigan (UM::Autonomy) 5th Place ($1,000): Cornell University (AutoBoat)
The Top Technical Design Award went to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT Arcturus), earning $1,500 for their outstanding innovation in autonomous maritime robotics.
“The level of ingenuity and problem-solving on display at RoboBoat 2025 was nothing short of extraordinary,” said Alicia Gavin, Director of Communications and Marketing at RoboNation. “These students aren’t just building autonomous boats—they’re pioneering the future of maritime robotics. We are incredibly proud to provide a platform where young engineers can turn bold ideas into real-world solutions.”
Nathan Benderson Park once again provided a premier venue for the event, attracting spectators, STEM enthusiasts, and industry professionals eager to see the future of autonomous maritime technology in action.
For more information, visit roboboat.org or contact agavin@robonation.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
