โถ Watch the AIROC 2026 Introduction
AIROC International 2026: Synapse City
= [ AI IoT Robotics Challenge ] =
Choose your path to innovation at AIROC International 2026 in Hanoi, Vietnam! Engage in high-precision robotics through our REGULAR CATEGORY (four age-specific tiers), or push the boundaries of research and design in our OPEN CATEGORY (exclusively for secondary and high school students).
From "Code to Run" โ "Code to Think"
AIROC 2026 marks a paradigm shift from linear robot programming to intelligent, autonomous Physical AI systems
Code to Run
- โFixed, linear execution paths
- โManual assembly and mechanical build
- โSingle isolated robot operations
- โHuman intervention allowed
Code to Think
- โSensory Intelligence โ robots "interpret" and adapt
- โAutonomous algorithms & pathfinding
- โMulti-agent IoT coordination
- โ100% autonomous โ zero human intervention
Three Cores of Physical AI
Every AIROC challenge integrates three core disciplines that define the "Code to Think" paradigm
Sensory Intelligence
Robots "interpret" physical data โ real-time color recognition, pollution identification, and dynamic response to environment changes via AI-driven sensors
Autonomous Algorithms
Optimized pathfinding, task prioritization, and adaptive decision-making โ robots "think" and respond to dynamic environments
IoT Coordination
Multi-agent fleets "communicate" via IoT โ real-time synchronization, collision avoidance, and collaborative task execution
REGULAR Category: Field Track
A 4ft ร 4ft precision-engineered Regular Category field track representing the high-stakes districts of Synapse City
Synapse City โ 4ft ร 4ft Precision-Engineered Field Track
REGULAR Category: Core Mission Objectives
Three autonomous tasks to restore Synapse City โ complete in any sequence within the 2-minute window
Containment
Contain each reported pollution (source) to its corresponding Containment Area.
A Pollution Block is successfully contained when any part of it touches or overlaps the Containment area.
Neutralization
Neutralize polluted City zones with dedicated neutralizer units.
A Neutralizer unit is successfully deployed, when: - Any part of it touches or overlaps the Containment Area; and, - Its color matches the color of the Pollution block within.
Analysis
Retrieve Pollution samples for further investigation & analysis.
- A Pollution block is successfully retrieved, when it touches or overlaps the CRL. - (for Master category only) An additional Mystery-COLORED POLLUTION block will be added to the challenge.
REGULAR Category: Scoring & Evaluation
Maximize your score within the 2-minute window through strategic mission sequencing
| Mission | Action | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Mission 1: Containment | MOVE Pollution blocks into dedicated Containment areas. | 45 pts/block |
| Mission 2: Neutralization | DELIVER Neutralizer units to corresponding polluted city zones. | 160 pts/pair |
| Mission 3: Analysis | TRANSPORT pollution blocks to the CRL for analysis. | 100 pts/block โข 150 pts/mystery-block |
| Return to CRL | Robot completes the challenges & returns to CRL. | 40 pts/bot |
Highest Normalized Score
Highest Normalized Score of the best round.
Consistency
Smallest difference in Normalized Scores between the two rounds.
Efficiency
Least Attempts
Speed
Shortest completion time.
REGULAR Category: Judicial Procedures & Protest Policy
Transparency and sportsmanship are core pillars of the AIROC competition
Match Statuses
- FOUL
Called if a participant touches any items on the field track. The round ends immediately.
- FALSE START
Called if the robot moves before the countdown. The participant may restart, but the timer continues.
- STOP
Called by the participant when missions are complete, or by the Judge when the 2-minute duration expires.
Result Confirmation & Protests
- 1
Freeze Phase
Immediately when a round ends, all objects (robots & field models) must remain exactly as they are. Contestants must not touch the field track & objects, before the scores are finalized.
- 2
Scoring Phase
Referees inspect each area, verify object positions, and record the results.
- 3
Confirmation Phase
Team Leader reviews the results. Once acknowledged, the result is final. No protests are accepted after this point.
Competition Categories
FIVE age tiers including both Regular Categories & Open Category, scaling from guided exploration to multi-agent autonomous Al, requiring fully autonomous solutions.
Regular Category: EXPLORER
Ages 6โ9Regular Category: CREATOR
Ages 9โ12Regular Category: INNOVATOR
Ages 11โ15Regular Category: MASTER
Ages 15โ18Open Category
Ages 13-20OPEN Category
AIROC Open Category is a project-based competition where participants develop own robotics solutions aligned with the current season's theme that solves a real-world problem. It is an exciting and innovative competition that invites teams to push the boundaries of innovation in numerous sectors, with a focus on pushing the boundaries of human inventiveness and promoting breakthrough ideas.
REGULAR Category: Competition Day Protocol
Four strict phases simulate real-world deployment pressure โ no shortcuts allowed
Random 1
[Creator & Explorer] Pollution 'colors' & polluted locations are revealed. [Innovator & Master] Only polluted locations are revealed.
Coding
Utilize Pythaverse AI Coding platform to program logic, optimize routes, and calibrate sensors.
Quarantine
Robots impounded. No code changes. Absolute engineering discipline required.
Random 2
[Innovator & Master] Pollution colors revealed now! Robot uses smart vision algorithm to adapt in real-time.
โฑ๏ธ After Random 2, teams have a 2-minute operational window โ full autonomy, zero human intervention.
REGULAR Category Contents: 9-Milestone Learning Path
A structured 36-lesson STEM roadmap from sensor basics to real-time collaborative Physical AI
Physical Basics
Basic line movement (Primary) โ Line movement + color sensor integration (HS)
Data Science
Teachable Machine Sound/Image recognition (Primary) โ Advanced Color Data classification (HS)
AI Basic Practice
Teachable Machine Pose recognition (Primary) โ Sensor-based color classification (HS)
Physical AI โ Digital Twin
Simple simulated paths (Primary) โ Advanced Pathfinding within a Digital Twin (HS)
Multi-Agents โ IoT
N/A (Primary) โ Optimized Real-time Collaborative Physical AI (HS)
Mission 1: Containment
Programmatic navigation (Primary) โ AI-driven multi-agent containment (HS)
Mission 2: Neutralization
Simple transport (Primary) โ AI-driven color matching multi-agent neutralizing (HS)
Mission 3: Analysis
Programmatic retrieval (Primary) โ AI-driven data retrieval in multi-agent environments (HS)
Full Mission Mastery
Programmatic score maximization (Primary) โ AI-driven strategy optimization (HS)
Regional Competition Presence Since 2006
Code โข Connect โข Compete โ across 6 countries since 2006
Indonesia
2011, 2025
Malaysia
2006-2009, 2014, 2016, 2023
Philippines
2013, 2017
Vietnam
2012, 2015, 2026
Thailand
2024
China
2010, 2018, 2019
KEY DATES
Critical milestones on the road to the International Finals
Click here: https://forms.gle/v1Warc1pUXfsBViL8
Cung Thiแบฟu Nhi Hร Nแปi โข Hanoi Childrenโs Palace (Branch 2), Hanoi, Vietnam. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2F3WJRQT9dFcVFgLA
Cung Thiแบฟu Nhi Hร Nแปi โข Hanoi Childrenโs Palace (Branch 2), Hanoi, Vietnam. https://maps.app.goo.gl/2F3WJRQT9dFcVFgLA
International Finals
National challengers from every AIROC country converge for the international title!
Prizes & Recognition
[Explorer & Creator] CHAMPION
Gold
USD 300
[Explorer & Creator] 1STโRUNNERโUP
Silver
USD 200
[Explorer & Creator] 2NDโRUNNERโUP
Bronze
USD 100
[Innovator & Master] CHAMPION
Gold
USD 450
[Innovator & Master] 1STโRUNNERโUP
Silver
USD 300
[Innovator & Master] 2NDโRUNNERโUP
Bronze
USD 150
[Open Category] CHAMPION
Gold
USD 450
[Open Category] 1STโRUNNERโUP
Silver
USD 300
[Open Category] 2NDโRUNNERโUP
Bronze
USD 150
Our Partners
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