FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RoboBoat 2026 Showcases Next Generation of Maritime Autonomy Engineers
SARASOTA, Fla. — International student teams braved wind, rain, and cold to compete at the 2026 RoboBoat Competition in Sarasota, Florida. RoboBoat 2026 brought together 37 teams from 10 countries and 11 U.S. states and territories, making it one of the largest international competitions focused on autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs).
Managed by RoboNation, RoboBoat challenges the next generation of engineers and innovators to test their ASVs in a demanding real-world environment. Teams spent the week navigating complex autonomous tasks on the water, demonstrating advanced capabilities in perception, navigation, object interaction, and system reliability.
After several days of competition, the top teams emerged from an international field representing 10 countries and 11 U.S. states and territories.
RoboBoat 2026 Final Standings
• 1st Place ($5,000): Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (Indonesia)
• 2nd Place ($2,500): Navier USN (Norway)
• 3rd Place ($1,750): Queen’s University (Canada)
• 4th Place ($1,500): Turkish Naval Academy (Türkiye)
• 5th Place ($1,000): Cornell University (USA)
• 6th Place ($750): Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (USA)
Throughout the week, teams launched their autonomous vessels into increasingly complex missions designed to mirror real-world maritime autonomy challenges. Tasks included navigating obstacle courses, interacting with objects on the water, and performing precision operations requiring reliable sensing and intelligent onboard decision-making.
While the challenging weather added an extra layer of difficulty, student teams rose to the challenge, which closely mirrored the 2026 competition theme of Storm Response.
“Conditions this year tested both engineering and resilience,” said Alicia Gavin, Director of Communications and Marketing for RoboNation. “The teams showed incredible determination, adaptability, and creativity. RoboBoat continues to demonstrate why real-world, hands-on opportunities are critical for workforce development and for preparing the next generation of engineers.”
RoboBoat enables students to apply systems engineering, robotics, and maritime autonomy concepts to industry-relevant challenges. The competition also connects students with industry, government, and academic leaders working in autonomous maritime technologies.
For many teams, RoboBoat represents months, or even years, of design, testing, and iteration. The event provides a rare opportunity for students to see their work operate in a live maritime environment alongside peers from across the globe.
To learn more about RoboBoat, visit www.roboboat.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
