Robotex Cyprus 2026 has drawn thousands to experience the latest advancements in robotics, artificial intelligence, and drones at the University of Cyprus Sports Centre on June 27-28, 2026. This year’s event marked the largest robotics festival in the country, gathering hundreds of competitors and showcasing various innovations in STEAM education.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Robotex cyprus: Exciting Competitions and Participation
The ninth Robotex Cyprus Educational and Sports Robotics Competition attracted an impressive 700 participants, including school pupils, university students, and adults from across the island. Competitors engaged in over 20 different robotics challenges, highlighting their technical prowess, creativity, and engineering skills.
Photo: cyprus-mail.com
Official Messages and Support
A message from the Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, Nicodemos Damianou, was delivered by the ministry’s Director of Cybersecurity, Marios Tziapouras. The event also saw attendance from key figures such as Andreas Efstathiou, vice-president of the Research and Innovation Foundation, which sponsored Robotex Cyprus as its Diamond Sponsor, reflecting the festival’s role in cultivating research and innovation skills among youth.
Key Figures in Robotics
Opening remarks were provided by Chrysis Georgiou, chairman of the University of Cyprus Department of Computer Science, and Fotini Georgiou, a member of the Robotex Cyprus Scientific Committee and board member of IET Cyprus, representing the event’s co-organisers. Nathan Metsala, chief executive of Robotex International, attended the festival, noting its significance as Cyprus was the first nation to establish Robotex as a national competition.
Exciting Developments for Future Competitions
Metsala announced that Robotex International 2026 will take place in South Korea, marking the first instance the international competition is held outside Estonia. Teams from Cyprus that excelled at this year’s event earned the right to represent their country at the international finals, continuing a proud legacy of Cypriot teams making their mark on the global stage.
Innovative Themes and Projects
Among the entries, primary school teams showcased robotics projects themed around “Sustainable Development, Green Island,” with many utilising artificial intelligence to propose innovative solutions to pressing environmental challenges. This theme resonated throughout the festival, emphasising the importance of sustainability in technology.
A Diverse Range of Competitions
The competition schedule included a variety of events such as Line Following, Folkrace, Maze Solving, Bowling, and Archery. Drone enthusiasts also participated in two competitions: one focused on autonomous flight and another featuring a new programming challenge. On Sunday, competitors engaged in SUMO robot battles, raced along a 15-metre Rally track, and tackled a robotic shot put challenge.
Promoting Female Participation in STEAM
This year, the festival introduced the annual Girls Firefighting competition, aimed specifically at increasing female involvement in STEAM disciplines. Such initiatives highlight the organisers’ commitment to fostering diversity in technology fields.
Interactive Experiences for Visitors
Throughout the weekend, visitors enjoyed a range of interactive technology activities. For the first time, attendees could participate in Drone Soccer on a specially designed pitch operated by STEAM Cyprus. Sunday’s programme featured a popular Human versus Robot chess challenge, organised in collaboration with the KAISSA Chess Club, where the SenseRobot faced off against both young and seasoned chess players.
Exploration of Space and Technology
This year also saw the participation of the Planetarium team, which presented interactive activities centred on space exploration and artificial intelligence applications, captivating attendees with insights into the universe.
Supporting Innovation and Education
Throughout the festival, Robo.com.cy operated the technical Pit Stop support station for competing teams, showcasing innovative products such as Kypruino and RoboRover Core, developed in Cyprus. The Research and Innovation Foundation, ECECT, Novatex, and the European INVESTech project presented virtual reality, 3D printing, and other STEAM activities that further engaged the public.
Community Engagement and Sponsorship
The Bank of Cyprus actively participated, distributing gifts and surprises to visitors, while Neapolis University’s robotic dog, Laika, made a return appearance, delighting attendees. Performances by the Elena Clark Dance School added an artistic flair to the event.
Robotex Cyprus was organised by the Cyprus Computer Society in partnership with the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus Youth Organisation, and IET Cyprus. Under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy, the event received approval from the Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth and ETEK. The Research and Innovation Foundation served as the Diamond Sponsor, with support from the Bank of Cyprus as the Youth Supporter and XM as the Tech Partner.
Looking Ahead
With Neapolis University as the Gold Sponsor and several Bronze Sponsors contributing, including Novatex Solutions, ZEBRA Consultants, NETinfo, and ICDL, the festival has solidified its position as a critical platform for innovation in Cyprus. Secondary school students remain eligible for scholarships through the enduring support of private higher education institutions, enhancing opportunities for future talent in the field.
The next milestone for this year’s winners is the Robotex Cyprus Awards Ceremony, scheduled for October, promising to celebrate the achievements of participants and inspire the next generation of innovators.
