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CHALLENGE TEASER 2026
Organised by:
Supported by:
Note from organisers:
The National Robotics Competition (NRC) draws inspiration from and adapts challenges and
missions from the Global Robotics Games (GRG). Please note that the scoring rubrics and
assessment components are developed independently and may differ between the two
competitions. We advise against making direct comparisons between them.
This document provides a preview of the competition missions to help you prepare your
teams. The complete mission documentation will be made available to all registered teams
following the registration process. However, this preview should provide sufficient
information to begin your preparation for the competition.
Introduction
The theme for NRC this year is "Mission Meals" focusing on individuals who use technology
to tackle hunger issues around the world. This challenge aims to address the challenge of
ensuring a sufficient and stable food supply for all people by leveraging robotic
technologies.
Hunger often results from problems in how food is produced and delivered. Robots can
support many stages of this journey — from growing food to bringing it safely to the people
who need it.
Challenges
Teams are to develop robotic solutions that addresses one or more key challenges as outline
d below. Additionally, to attempt the bonus challenge, teams must
first address at least one of the key challenges.
a) Lack of Food Production Infrastructure
• Challenge Description: If appropriate food production infrastructure is not in place, crops
cannot be protected from weather conditions, nor can proper watering or effective planting
be carried out, which may result in reduced yields.
• Possible Robotic Solutions: Robots can assemble lightweight frames, install cultivation
racks, systematically place plant pots, connect irrigation hoses, and secure panels.
• Impact on Hunger: This can address lack of food production
infrastructure, leading to more stable food production.
b) Labour-Intensive Food Production Processes
• Challenge Description: Tasks such as harvesting and sorting the harvested or caught
products, are still largely performed by hand. However, these tasks are labour-intensive and
difficult to make more efficient.
• Possible Robotic Solutions: Robots can, for example, perform weeding, pollination, and
the harvesting of vegetables, eggs, and fish, as well as sort harvested or caught products.
• Impact on Hunger: Robots that automate food production will enable food to be produced
more efficiently.
c) Poor Logistics
•Challenge Description: If food is transported too slowly or not kept at the right
temperature, it may have to be thrown away even though it was produced carefully. Also, if
some areas have too much food while others do not have enough, the food cannot be
shared effectively with everyone.
•Possible Robotic Solutions: Robots can deliver food while keeping it at the right
temperature.
•Impact on Hunger: By creating efficient transportation and food supply systems, food can
be distributed more effectively and hunger can be reduced.
d) Robot Versatility through End-Effector Design (Bonus Challenge)
•Challenge Description: The robot
deployment faces inefficiency due to robots being specialised for single tasks. This limitation
increases cost due to higher number of robots needed to tackle different tasks.
•Possible Robotic Solutions: Using mobile robots, drones, or humanoid robots as base
platforms, a modular system can be implemented where interchangeable end-effectors
enable a single robot to perform multiple tasks. Examples include:
• Pot Placement Tool for Crop Cultivation
• Frame Fastening Tool for Greenhouse Assembly
• Seed and Fertilizer Dispenser for Uniform Distribution
• Soft Gripper for Crop Harvesting
• Specialized Tool for Livestock Care
Teams are expected to develop at least two interchangeable end-effectors.
•Impact on Hunger: If one robot can do many different jobs, robots can be used more
cheaply and more effectively to help solve hunger problems.
(NEW) Project Video
Teams are required to submit a demonstration video showing the robot in action and a
presentation video. Each video must be no longer than 5 minutes.
Project Booth
Shortlisted teams are required to present their robotic solution in a project booth or a
designated area.
Approximately 2m by 2m floor space will be given for each project booth. Each team will
have a table and can be creative in the way they decide to showcase their robot &
decorate the table.
Teams should utilize the booth to present information about their research and the develop
ment of the robotic solution. All booth decorations and setup, including the robotic solution,
must remain within the booth area. Teams that exceed the boundary with props,
decorations, or robots will face penalties.
If liquids are necessary for the project, teams are restricted to use water only.