Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Overview
Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is an UN-based educational robotics championship that each year is inspired on a global challenge in relation to which robots offer practical solutions to advance the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Participants design, build and program a robot that completes a mission based on one of these goals. While learning robotics and coding, students gain more than just technical know-how, but also vital working-life and future skills, including but not limited to teamwork, problem-solving, project management, critical thinking, and information retrieval.
The competition fosters free-software and hardware robotics, allowing unrestricted assembly and programming of the robots. It aims to promote inclusivity, enabling learning in robotics and coding regardless of gender, socio-economic status, or academic ability. Additionally, it encourages the use of recycled materials and environmentally friendly solutions, emphasizing the development of sustainable robots.
Who Can Apply?
This is a call for learners and teams from across South Africa who are passionate about robotics, innovation, and making a difference. Whether you’re experienced or just starting, this competition welcomes anyone eager to learn and innovate.
The categories are determined by the year of birth:
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Junior: 2013–2010
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Senior: 2009–2006
Team Details:
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Teams can have up to 8 members.
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Individual participation is also allowed!
🏆 Why Join?
The winners in both Junior and Senior categories will earn:
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🎟 Tickets to the Grand Finale at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025 in Geneva.
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🏅 Gold Passes for the Summit.
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🌟 A Youth Zone exhibition booth at the Summit.
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🎤 A chance to pitch on the Youth Stage in Geneva.
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🤝 Networking opportunities with UN representatives and global leaders.
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📣 Global media exposure for your innovative solutions!
📅 Mark Your Calendar!
📍 Event Date: 25 April 2025
📍 Location: The Cortex Hub, East London
Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2024/25 Theme
Changes in the global climate system are exacerbating the risk and intensity of large-scale hazards. With tragic effects resulting from unprecedented heat, drought, cold and wet conditions, such as torrential rains, mudslides, flash floods, earthquakes, hurricanes and wildfires, robots can provide a rapid and accurate response in finding survivors when every minute counts.
Autonomous machines are reducing the exposure of first responders to dangerous emergencies, rendering disaster relief safer, more efficient, affordable and carbon-neutral. Robots accelerate search and rescue operations and assist disaster responders with geological mapping, damages assessment, rubble removal, delivery of medical supplies and much more.
Join the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge (First edition), where teams from all around the world design, build and code a robot to solve a challenge centered around the theme of disaster response during 2024-2025.
