robotics festival — robotics festival — Nicosia is set to become a vibrant centre for innovation as the Cyprus Computer Society prepares to host the ninth Robotex Pancyprian Educational and Athletics Robotics Competition.
- Organisers have confirmed that around 700 participants will take part, including school pupils, university students, and adult enthusiasts from across the island.
- The excitement continues on Sunday with high-intensity events such as the popular SUMO competition, 15-metre rally racing, and a shot put challenge.
- The Planetarium team will also hold interactive sessions on astronomy, space exploration, and the practical applications of artificial intelligence, appealing to a broad audience.
Robotics festival: Event Details and Schedule
Scheduled for Saturday, June 27, 2026, and Sunday, June 28, 2026, this prestigious festival will take place at the University of Cyprus Sports Centre, welcoming the public from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. daily.
Organisers have confirmed that around 700 participants will take part, including school pupils, university students, and adult enthusiasts from across the island.
Exciting Challenges Await
The competition floor will feature more than 20 distinct challenges, designed to push the boundaries of local engineering and programming talent. Nicodemos Damianou, Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, is set to lead the official opening ceremony, underscoring the ministry’s commitment to fostering innovation in Cyprus.
International interest remains robust, with Nathan Matsala, Chief Executive Officer of Robotex International, confirming his attendance. His visit is particularly significant as Cyprus is the first nation to adopt Robotex as a national competition.
Opportunities Beyond Local Recognition
Success at the Robotex festival will not only bring local recognition but also secure winning teams an opportunity to represent Cyprus at the Robotex International 2026 finals in South Korea. This marks a pivotal moment as the global event moves from Estonia for the first time, further elevating Cyprus’s reputation in the robotics field.
A Diverse Programme for All Ages
The competition programme is thoughtfully structured to cater to various age groups and technical disciplines. Primary school teams will showcase projects focusing on Sustainable Development – Green Island, aimed at addressing pressing environmental and social challenges.
On the opening Saturday, attendees can expect a variety of contests including line following, folkrace, maze solving, archery, and bowling. The day will also feature a double-header of drone competitions, which will include both a new programming-based challenge and an autonomous flight test.
The excitement continues on Sunday with high-intensity events such as the popular SUMO competition, 15-metre rally racing, and a shot put challenge.
Encouraging Female Participation in STEAM
In a bid to close the gender gap in technology, the festival will again host the Girls Firefighting category, an initiative aimed at increasing female engagement in STEAM fields. This aligns with efforts to inspire more young women to pursue careers in technology and engineering.
Innovative Exhibitions and Activities
Innovation will extend beyond traditional robotics this year, with visitors getting their first look at Drone Soccer, managed by STEAM Cyprus on Saturday. Sunday’s highlights include the Human vs Robot chess challenge, where an intelligent SenseRobot, provided in partnership with the KAISSA Chess Club, will engage both amateur and professional players.
The Planetarium team will also hold interactive sessions on astronomy, space exploration, and the practical applications of artificial intelligence, appealing to a broad audience.
Technical Support and Engagement for Teams
A Robot Pit Stop will operate throughout the event, with Robo.com.cy providing technical assistance to teams while showcasing the locally developed Kypruino and RoboRover Core hardware. This support is crucial in ensuring participants have the resources needed to excel in their competitions.
Interactive Experiences for Visitors
The festival grounds will offer a diverse array of virtual reality experiences and 3D printing demonstrations, organised by the Cyprus Computer Society in collaboration with partners such as ECECT, Novatex, O3, and the European project INVESTech. The Bank of Cyprus will also engage younger visitors by providing gifts and prizes through its JOEY initiative.
Cultural Intersections at the Festival
Entertainment will bridge the gap between technology and the arts, with Laika, the robotic dog from Neapolis University Pafos, making a special appearance alongside creative performances from the Elena Clark Dance School. This blend of technology and creativity aims to inspire attendees and highlight the multifaceted nature of robotics.
Widespread Institutional Support
The festival is orchestrated by the Cyprus Computer Society in partnership with the University of Cyprus, the Youth Board of Cyprus, and IET Cyprus. Institutional backing is significant, with the event held under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy and receiving formal approval from the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth, as well as ETEK, the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber.
Financial and technical support is anchored by the Research and Innovation Foundation as the diamond sponsor, with corporate partners including the Bank of Cyprus as youth supporter, XM as tech partner, and Neapolis University Pafos as the gold sponsor. Additional sponsorship comes from Novatex Solutions, ZEBRA Consultants, NETinfo, and ICDL as bronze sponsors, while Robo.com.cy serves as the official prize sponsor.
Scholarships for High Achievers
In recognition of excellence, the island’s private universities have pledged scholarships for lyceum students who demonstrate outstanding performance during the competition. Institutions involved include Neapolis University Pafos, European University Cyprus, University of Nicosia, Frederick University, UCLan Cyprus, University of Limassol, and AUB Mediterraneo.
