Youth zone

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Grand Finale 2025

  • Date
    8 July 2025
    Timeframe
    09:00 - 17:00 CEST
    Duration
    2 days
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    The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Grand Finale is the prestigious culminating event of the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2024-2025, held at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025. Experience the excitement as teams from over 20 countries showcase their skills in this leading UN-based global educational robotics competition focusing on the critical area of disaster response.

     

    WHAT IS THE ROBOTICS FOR GOOD YOUTH CHALLENGE?

    The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is the leading UN-based global robotics championship, inviting students aged 10 to 18 to develop AI and robotics-based solutions to tackle global challenges. This programme offers a unique entry point into STEM disciplines while fostering problem-solving and teamwork skills that are critical for the next generation of digital leaders. Organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), participants design, build, and program robots to complete missions that address real-world issues. The competition promotes the use of free and open-source software and hardware, allowing unrestricted assembly and programming of the robots.

    Junior category
    Winner
    Junior
    ,
    Venezuela
    Colegio Guayamuri
    We are The Spartans, a team of students from Colegio Guayamurí on Margarita Island (Venezuela), united by the conviction that technology can save lives and build more resilient communities. With experience in WRO Junior, MUN, and social projects such as designing 3D prosthetics for upper limbs and splints for treating injuries like fractures, we have learned that innovation makes sense when it aligns with empathy, addressing crucial issues such as sustainability and social participation in multiple dimensions. Our 3D-printed solutions are particularly suited for providing medical assistance in the wake of natural disasters. Our proposal for this competition faces a critical scenario: a simulated earthquake where Rescue Spear and Rescue Shield, our two sibling robots, work as a team. Rescue Spear—programmed in Python—opens routes through rubble (represented by wooden blocks) to rescue the injured (red blocks) and take them to the hospital, while Rescue Shield takes advantage of the cleared areas to transport the uninjured (green blocks) to the shelter. Both robots were built with repurposed parts from previous competitions and 100% recycled materials, reflecting our commitment to the circular economy. Beyond the competition, our project embraces the Sustainable Development Goals: we prioritize health (SDG 3) with efficient rescue protocols, democratize STEM education (SDG 4) through community participation, reduce inequalities (SDG 10) by demonstrating that countries with limited resources can innovate globally, and promote partnerships (SDG 17) by collaborating with local hospitals to donate 3D-printed splints to children in treatment and people with limited resources. Inspired by Spartan strength, our robots not only accumulate points on the board, but also symbolize a message: "Technology, when guided by the heart, can be the shield that protects and the spear that transforms." With every line of code and every recycled piece, we are writing a future where no one is left behind.
    Second Finalist
    Junior
    ,
    Nepal
    United School, Samriddhi School, KMC School
    Team Gautam Buddha proudly represents Nepal in the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge 2024–2025. Inspired by the values of compassion and wisdom of Lord Buddha born in Lumbini, Nepal. Our team is driven by the mission to use technology for humanitarian impact. Coming from a region prone to seismic activity, we deeply understand the urgency of rapid disaster response. Our robot is designed to assist in earthquake rescue operations by locating survivors, navigating unstable terrain, and transporting the injured safely, all while operating on sustainable energy sources. We aim to blend innovation with empathy, proving that youth-led robotics can save lives and build a more resilient future for all.
    Third Finalist
    Junior
    ,
    Ghana
    My Redeemer School
    We are a team of young people using robotics to solve real problems. We come from My Redeemer School and are between 10-13 years old. Each of us brings something different. Some of us focus on coding. Others build, test, and improve the robot. We work together to plan, practice, and adjust our strategy. We are taking part in the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge because we care about using technology to help people. Our robot is designed to support emergency response. It can detect objects, carry items, and make decisions on its own using sensors. We test every move to make sure the robot can complete tasks within two minutes. We’ve learned how to improve our design, fix problems quickly, and stay focused under pressure. We also take time to share our work and encourage others to get involved in tech. Our goal is simple: build a robot that works, and learn as much as we can. We’re proud to be part of the AI for Good challenge and excited to show what young minds can do when given the tools and the chance.
    Senior category
    Winner
    Senior
    ,
    Brazil
    IFSP São Carlos
    The team participated in the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Brazil, utilizing two robots, Ricardinho and Robertinho, to rescue victims in a simulated disaster scenario. These robots were equipped with internal gyroscopes for precise movement and point-based locomotion to navigate the disaster zone. Robertinho, the larger robot, was designed to first take the green victims to the refuge and then take the building victims to the hospital. It had robust claws and a wide structure to securely carry multiple victims. Ricardinho, the smaller robot, was designed to rescue red victims primarily outside the building and act as a barrier to prevent debris from harming victims. The team faced challenges in programming both robots, especially Robertinho’s complex movements. The final design did not incorporate AI, focusing on a robust and efficient mechanical solution. While the team achieved success in rescuing green victims with Robertinho, challenges arose in rescuing red victims and those from the building. The team’s future goals include improving the robots’ performance with computer vision, increasing the number of rescued victims, and exceeding the average score of the previous stage. The project aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including quality education, industry, innovation, infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, climate action, and partnerships for the goals. The team aims to promote technological innovation, foster collaboration, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
    Second Finalist
    Senior
    ,
    South Korea
    Korea International School Jeju / Chadwick International School Songdo
    We are a group of high school students from South Korea, currently attending international schools. We are passionate about artificial intelligence and robotics, and we hope to pursue studies in related fields in the future. Jongwon Kang Hello! I'm a high school student with a strong passion for coding, creativity, and internet culture. I enjoy developing interactive projects such as browser games and love exploring the world of memes and robotics. Kangmin Kim Engineering and robotics have fascinated me since childhood. Through this competition, I want to explore how robotics can be applied to benefit everyday people and solve real-world problems. Youn Joo Lee I’m an avid programmer, deeply interested in how modern technologies can serve as tools for progress rather than replace human opportunities. The mission behind this competition and the AI for Good Summit aligns closely with my personal values, which is why I’m thrilled to be part of the event this July.
    Third Finalist
    Senior
    ,
    Burkina Faso
    Programming School
    The AKO Group is a dynamic team of young innovators aged 15 to 18, united by their shared passion for robotics, artificial intelligence, and social impact. Inspired by real-world challenges, they have chosen to harness technology to serve humanity through a concrete and intelligent solution.
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