Robofest India Game Junior Division: Autonomous Robotics Competition
Up to $20,000/year LTU Scholarship
Autonomous robotics competition for students in Grades 5-8 to program robots for bridge building and testing, leading to the Robofest World Championship.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
₹3,500
Participation format
Team
Teams of 1 to 5
Duration
Single day (India regional qualifier); 3 days (World Championship)
Eligibility
Open to students in Grades 5-8 (typically ages 10-14). Teams of 1-5 students from any school, home school, club, or civic group are eligible. Participants must be able to program autonomous robots. India regional qualifiers are held in specific cities, but the opportunity is open nationwide for qualification.
- Grade level
- Grade 5 to 8
- Age range
- 10 to 14 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Prerequisites
- Basic understanding of robotics and programming concepts
- Access to a robot kit and programming environment
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
$20,000/year
World Championship winners are eligible for Lawrence Technological University scholarships. First place receives $20,000/year ($80,000 over 4 years), second place $16,000/year ($64,000 over 4 years), third place $14,000/year ($56,000 over 4 years). All high school senior participants receive a base $3,000/year scholarship ($12,000 over 4 years) to attend LTU.
Prizes
Trophies & Medals
Winners of qualifying and championship rounds receive trophies. All registered participants receive personalized medals.
Certificate
Robofest Participation Certificate
All registered participants receive personalized certificates of participation from Robofest, recognized by Lawrence Technological University.
Recognized by
Opens doors to
Participation and winning at the World Championship provides direct scholarship opportunities at Lawrence Technological University, Michigan, USA.
Recognition
International Recognition
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration opened
- 8 Sept 2025
- Competition
- 17 Jan 2026
How to apply
- 1Coach obtains a Coach ID from robofest.net
- 2Register team at www.robofest.net/rms and select Game category
- 3Upload team photos within 3 weeks of registration
- 4Pay registration fee of ₹3,500 per team on competition day
- 5Compete at India regional qualifier
- 6Winners advance to World Championship at LTU
Rules and guidelines
- Robots must be completely autonomous with no remote control allowed
- All code must be written from scratch by student participants
- Any type of robot kit, materials, actuators, and sensors may be used
- All team members must bring signed Robofest Consent and Release Form
- Students must make all decisions during competition; adult mentors guide but do not build or program
- Robots must operate autonomously without any remote control during the competition.
- All programming code must be original and developed solely by the student participants.
- Teams must consist of 1 to 5 members, and all members must submit a signed Robofest Consent and Release Form.
- Late submissions or failure to adhere to the Unknown Tasks and Factors (UTF) rules will result in penalties.
Technology requirements
- Robot kit with programmable controller
- Programming environment (any language supported)
- Laptop for programming and debugging
- Sensors and actuators for autonomous navigation
Fees and financial support
Fee details
A registration fee of ₹3,500 per team is payable to NovatechRobo on the competition day for the India regional qualifier. The international World Championship registration fee is $100 per team, which is separate.
About this opportunity
Robofest India - Building Bridges is an autonomous robotics competition for students in the Junior Division (Grades 5-8). Teams design, construct, and program robots to build a bridge by moving footings and beams into place, then test the span by sending a tennis ball across a river to a bin. This competition is part of the international Robofest program, organized by Lawrence Technological University, Michigan, USA, with India qualifiers conducted by NovatechRobo.
This opportunity is open to students in Grades 5 through 8, participating in teams of up to five members. Winners of the India regional qualifier advance to the prestigious Robofest World Championship at Lawrence Technological University, where they can compete for significant scholarships. The competition features Unknown Tasks and Factors (UTF) revealed on-site, challenging participants' adaptability and problem-solving skills.
Rounds and format
Each match consists of 2 rounds. Unknown Tasks and Factors (UTF) are revealed just before a 30-minute work-time for each round. UTF include Target Bridge Location, Robot Starting Orientation, Start Line Location, Bridge Beam 2 Location, Test Load Location, and Game Ending Robot Location/Task.
How entries are judged
Scoring via official Robofest scorecard based on precision of bridge construction, successful positioning of bridge footings and beams, and successful delivery of test load (tennis ball) across the bridge span.
Selection process
Top-performing teams from India regional qualifiers advance to the Robofest World Championship at Lawrence Technological University.
Academic details
Difficulty: Intermediate
Frequently asked questions
What are the key strategies for students to excel in the Building Bridges competition?
Students should focus on robust robot design, precise programming for autonomous tasks, and effective teamwork. Practicing with various bridge configurations and understanding the scoring criteria are crucial for optimizing performance and adapting to Unknown Tasks and Factors.
How can participants manage competitive pressure and maintain focus during the event?
Effective preparation, including mock runs and problem-solving drills, can build confidence. Encouraging a growth mindset, focusing on learning rather than just winning, and practicing mindfulness techniques can help students manage stress and perform optimally under pressure.
What common mistakes should students avoid during the robot design and programming phases?
Common pitfalls include neglecting thorough testing, over-complicating robot mechanisms, and insufficient error handling in code. Students should prioritize simplicity, reliability, and modular programming to easily debug and adapt their robots during the competition.
How does participation in Robofest India impact a student's long-term academic and career prospects?
Engaging in Robofest India significantly enhances STEM skills, fosters critical thinking, and develops problem-solving abilities. The international exposure and potential for scholarships from Lawrence Technological University can open doors to advanced educational opportunities and future careers in robotics and engineering.
What are the benefits of the Unknown Tasks and Factors (UTF) component of the competition?
The UTF component challenges students to think on their feet, adapt their robot's programming and strategy in real-time, and collaborate effectively under pressure. This fosters crucial skills in improvisation, rapid prototyping, and problem-solving, mirroring real-world engineering challenges.
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