Robotics for Good Youth Challenge

Empowering the next generation of AI and robotics innovators

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.

How to participate

Participants have the opportunity to take part in the Competition. The Competition can take place in person if there is a National Organizer in the participant’s country or region. In the absence of a physical event, participants can prepare for the Competition individually and submit their results in video format for the panel of judges to review by 1 April 2025 (2024-2025 edition).

Private and public entities are invited to submit applications to organize an in-person Robotics for Good Youth Challenge National or Regional Event in their countries from October 2025 to April 2026 (2025-2026 edition).

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.

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Timeline

September-October 2024

November 2024-April 2025

April 2024-April 2025

April 2025-July 2025

Curation Phase

Preparation Phase

Competition Qualifying Phase

Competition Final Phase

Registration for teams open

Registration for organizing competition open

25 April 2024: Robotics for Good Youth Challenge official launch

1 June 2024: Applications for organizing competition close

October 2024-April 2025: Period for hosting Robotics for Good Youth Challenge National Events  

1 April 2025: Submission of the application form for online competition close

24 April 2025: announcement of the best online teams and national teams

July 2025: Winners participate at AI for Good Global Summit 2025

Robotics for Good Youth Challenge Timeline

September-October 2024

Curation Phase

November 2024-April 2025

Preparation Phase

  • Registration for teams open
  • Registration for organizing competition open

April 2024-April 2025

Competition Qualifying Phase

  • 25 April 2024: Robotics for Good Youth Challenge official launch

  • 1 June 2024: Applications for organizing competition close

  • October 2024-April 2025: Period for hosting Robotics for Good Youth Challenge National Events  

  • 1 April 2025: Submission of the application form for online competition close

April 2025-July 2025

Competition Final Phase

  •  24 April 2025: announcement of the best online teams and national teams

  • July 2025: Winners participate at AI for Good Global Summit 2025

Challenge Categories

Junior

For participants born between 2010 and 2013.

Senior

For participants born between 2009 and 2006.

Theme

The following thematic area has been identified for the competitions.

Disaster Response

Why the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge

Pitch on a Global Stage

Present your ideas at the Youth Stage at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025

VIP Experience at AI for Good Global Summit

Enjoy exclusive Gold Pass access for all team members at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025

Youth Zone Exhibition Booth

Showcase your project at a dedicated booth at the AI for Good Global Summit 2025

Network with Global Leaders

Connect with UN representatives and key partners

Dedicated Blog Article

Gain recognition with an exclusive blog article highlighting the team journey and achievements

Media Exposure

Opportunity to gain awareness through global media coverage

25
National Events
1
Grand Finale
40
+
Countries
10000
Views
300
Teams
25
National Events
1
Grand Finale
40
+
Countries
10000
Views
300
Teams

National and Regional Organizers

Albania

Bolivia

Bosnia & Hercegovina

Botswana

Brazil

Burkina Faso

Dominican Republic

Ethiopia

Finland

France

Ghana

India

Kenya

Lesotho

Libya

Maldives

Nepal

Niger

Nigeria

Panama

Rwanda

South Africa

South Korea

South Sudan

Spain

Switzerland

Tanzania

Uganda

Venezuela

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Supporters

Related sessions

12 April 2025
09:00 - 18:00 BOT, Santa Cruz | 14:00 - 23:00 CET Geneva | 08:00-17:00 EST, New York | 07:00-16:00 CST, Beijing
22 February 2025
09:00 - 18:00 VET Carabobo | 14:00 - 23:00 CET Geneva | 08:00-17:00 EST, New York | 07:00-16:00 CST, Beijing