About the Competition
The Cordillera RoboTech Challenge 2026 is a regional robotics and innovation competition organized as part of the DOST–CAR Regional Science and Technology Week (RSTW) 2026. It provides a platform for participants to demonstrate their skills in robotics, automation, programming, and technology development.
Who Can Join:
The competition is open to students, independent hobbyists, robotics enthusiasts,
and other qualified participants who are residents of or currently based in the
Cordillera Administrative Region.
Competition Focus:
The event features kit-based robotics challenges, autonomous robot competitions,
and an innovation showcase that encourages practical and creative applications of
science, technology, and digital innovation.
A. Competition Levels
Beginner
Intended primarily for elementary and junior high school students, as well as first-time participants with limited robotics experience.
Challenges under this level emphasize basic programming, robot control, sensors, navigation, and introductory automation.
Advanced / Open
Intended primarily for senior high school, college, and experienced robotics participants.
Challenges under this level may involve self-built or substantially modified robots, autonomous operation, advanced programming, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and original robotics or automation projects.
Note: Educational level is a general guide only. Participants may enter a higher-level category
if they satisfy that category’s technical requirements.
B. Competition Categories
| Category | Level | Core Format |
|---|---|---|
| Erobot Sumo | Beginner | Remote-controlled sumo competition using the prescribed Erovoutika robotics kit provided for the event. |
| Erobot Line Following | Beginner | Autonomous line-following competition using the prescribed Erovoutika robotics kit provided for the event. |
| RC Soccerbot | Beginner | One-on-one remote-controlled robot soccer competition using the prescribed Erovoutika robotics kit provided for the event. |
| Advanced/Open Line Following Robot | Advanced/Open | Self-built/open autonomous line follower; ranking by fastest successful lap. |
| Advanced/Open 3 kg Autonomous Sumobot | Advanced/Open | Self-built autonomous robot, maximum 3.0 kg, competing head-to-head on a sumo ring. |
| Robotics Innovation Showcase / Freestyle | Advanced/Open | Prototype or project exhibition with poster, live demonstration, oral presentation, and Q&A before judges. |
C. Eligibility and Team Composition
- The competition is open to students, independent hobbyists, robotics enthusiasts, and other qualified participants who are residents or currently based in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), subject to the eligibility requirements of each category.
- Participants may represent a school, college/university, organization, robotics club, company, or may register as an independent team, provided that the participant or team is based in CAR.
- Unless otherwise specified, each team may consist of a maximum of three (3) members and one (1) coach, adviser, or mentor.
- Student participants may be required to present a valid school ID. Participants representing an organization may be required to present proof of affiliation when applicable.
- Independent participants or teams are not required to have a school or organizational affiliation, provided that they meet the registration and technical requirements.
- A team may join more than one category, provided that each entry separately complies with the applicable requirements and there is no schedule conflict.
- Only officially registered and confirmed participants shall be allowed to compete.
D. Registration and Entry Requirements
- All participants and teams must complete the official registration process within the prescribed registration period.
- Each team shall register under its chosen category and provide the required participant and team information.
- A separate registration is required for each robot or project entered.
- Teams joining more than one category must register separately for each category entered.
- Registration is considered complete only upon confirmation by DOST–CAR.
- DOST–CAR may limit the number of entries per category based on venue capacity, available equipment, competition schedule, and technical resources.
- Registration may be closed once the maximum number of entries for a category has been reached.
- Substitution or replacement of team members after the registration deadline shall be subject to approval of DOST–CAR.
- Additional documentary or technical requirements may be required depending on the category.
- Admission to the competition is free.
E. Technical Inspection and Safety Requirements
- All robots and competition equipment shall undergo technical inspection before being allowed to compete.
- Inspection shall verify compliance with the size, weight, control, power, safety, and other technical requirements prescribed for the specific category.
- Robots that fail to comply with the required specifications shall not be allowed to compete until the identified deficiencies are corrected and the robot passes reinspection.
- The Robotics Competition Committee may conduct additional inspections before or after a match or attempt when necessary.
- Any modification made after initial inspection that may affect compliance with the technical requirements may require reinspection.
- Robots shall not contain parts, materials, mechanisms, or substances that may pose a danger to participants, officials, spectators, or competition facilities.
- Batteries, electrical connections, moving components, and mechanical assemblies shall be properly secured and operated within safe limits.
- The organizers may immediately stop the operation of any robot or project that is considered unsafe.
- Participants shall follow all safety instructions issued by the Robotics Competition Committee.
- Safety violations may result in suspension of an attempt, removal of the robot from the competition area, or disqualification depending on the severity of the violation.
F. Category-Specific Mechanics
Open a category below to see the detailed mechanics.
F1. Erobot Sumo Category
Competition / Match Mechanics
- Two robots shall compete inside the designated sumo ring.
- Robots shall start from the positions designated by the referee.
- Each match shall be played on a best-of-three (3) rounds basis.
- Each round shall have a maximum duration of two (2) minutes.
- A round is won when a robot successfully pushes its opponent outside the ring.
- A robot shall be considered out when at least one of its wheels touches the area outside the ring.
- If neither robot scores within the prescribed rounds, a tie-breaker round shall be conducted.
- The tournament shall use a single-elimination format.
- Match pairings shall be determined through random draw or official bracketing before the start of the competition.
F2. Erobot Line Following Category
Competition Mechanics
- A separate practice/calibration track shall be provided. Practice runs shall not be recorded for ranking.
- Each team shall be allowed three (3) official attempts on the official competition track.
- An official attempt shall begin only after the team declares readiness and the referee gives the start signal.
- Once an official attempt has started, it shall count as one of the team’s three attempts, even if the robot leaves the line or fails to complete the course.
- The objective is to complete one (1) full lap of the official track in the shortest possible time.
- An attempt shall be considered valid only if the robot completes the entire course from start to finish.
- If the robot leaves the designated line or fails to complete the course, the attempt shall be recorded as No Time.
- There shall be no checkpoints along the official track.
- The team’s fastest valid recorded time shall be used for ranking.
- In case of a tie, the second-fastest valid time shall serve as the first tie-breaker. If the tie remains, the third-fastest valid time shall be used.
F3. RC Soccerbot Category
Match Mechanics
- Matches shall be played one-on-one (1v1) on the designated SoccerBot field.
- The objective is to maneuver the ball into the opponent’s goal using the remote-controlled robot.
- Each match shall have a maximum duration of three (3) minutes.
- The first robot to score two (2) goals, or the robot with the higher score at the end of the prescribed time, shall win the match.
- After each goal, the ball shall be returned to the center of the field and play shall resume upon the referee’s signal.
- Robots shall start from their designated side of the field.
- The operator shall not touch the robot or ball during active play without the referee’s permission.
- If the match ends in a tie, a Golden Goal period shall be conducted. If still unresolved, a penalty shootout shall determine the winner.
- The tournament shall use a single-elimination format.
F4. Advanced/Open Line Following Robot Category
Competition Mechanics
- A separate practice/calibration track shall be provided. Practice runs shall not be recorded for ranking.
- Each team shall be allowed three (3) official attempts on the official competition track.
- Once an official attempt has started, it shall count as one of the team’s three attempts even if the robot leaves the line or fails to complete the course.
- The objective is to complete one (1) full lap of the official track in the shortest possible time.
- An attempt is valid only if the robot completes the entire course from start to finish.
- If the robot leaves the designated line or fails to complete the course, the attempt shall be recorded as No Time.
- There shall be no checkpoints along the official track.
- The team’s fastest valid recorded time shall be used for ranking, with second-fastest and third-fastest valid times serving as tie-breakers.
F5. Advanced/Open 3 kg Autonomous Sumobot Category
Match Mechanics
- Two robots shall compete inside the designated sumo ring.
- Robots shall start from the positions designated by the referee.
- Each match shall be played on a best-of-three (3) rounds basis.
- Each round shall have a maximum duration of two (2) minutes.
- A round is won when a robot successfully pushes its opponent outside the ring.
- A robot shall be considered out when at least one of its wheels touches the area outside the ring.
- If neither robot scores within the prescribed rounds, a tie-breaker round shall be conducted.
- The tournament shall use a single-elimination format.
- Match pairings shall be determined through random draw or official bracketing before the start of the competition.
F6. Robotics Innovation Showcase / Freestyle Category
Participants / Team
- Open to student teams, independent hobbyists, robotics enthusiasts, and other qualified participants.
- Each team may consist of up to three (3) members and one (1) coach/adviser or mentor.
- Each team shall present only one officially registered project per entry.
- The project must contain a substantial contribution from the participating team.
Entry Requirements
- The actual robot, prototype, or working project.
- An A1-size poster/tarpaulin presenting the project information.
- A live demonstration of the project’s operation.
- An oral presentation before the Board of Judges.
- Responses to questions during the Q&A session.
Presentation and Judging Mechanics
- Each team shall be allotted five (5) minutes for the presentation and live demonstration.
- This shall be followed by a five (5)-minute Question-and-Answer session with the Board of Judges.
- All team members shall be present at their assigned exhibition area during the scheduled judging period.
- The project shall be operational and ready for demonstration when the judges arrive.
- Judges may ask questions concerning the project’s design, programming, electronics, mechanical components, system integration, originality, application, limitations, and future development.
- Failure of the project to operate during the demonstration shall affect the score under functionality and technical performance but shall not automatically result in disqualification unless a safety violation is involved.
Thematic Areas
- Food Security — agriculture, food production, post-harvest technologies, food processing, monitoring, smart farming, or related applications.
- Sustainable Energy — energy efficiency, renewable energy, energy monitoring and management, or other sustainable-energy applications.
- National and Community Resilience — disaster risk reduction, environmental monitoring, public safety, emergency response, climate resilience, infrastructure monitoring, or related applications.
- Other S&T and Digital Innovation Applications — demonstrably aligned with the overall RSTW theme.
Criteria for Judging
| Criterion | Judges’ Consideration | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation and Originality | Novelty of the idea, creativity of the solution, uniqueness of the approach, and how clearly the project offers something new or improved compared with existing solutions. | 25% |
| Technical Design and Functionality | Soundness of the design, integration of hardware and software, reliability of operation, appropriateness of components and technologies used, and overall technical performance of the system. | 25% |
| Relevance to the RSTW Theme and Potential Impact | Alignment with the RSTW theme, particularly in relation to food security, sustainable energy, resilience, and digital innovation; significance of the problem addressed; and potential benefits to intended users or communities. | 20% |
| Quality of Implementation and Demonstration | Completeness of the prototype, quality of construction and system integration, effectiveness of the live demonstration, consistency of performance, and evidence that the project has been tested. | 15% |
| Presentation and Mastery of the Project | Clarity and organization of the presentation, ability to explain the project’s design and operation, understanding of technical concepts, and quality of responses during the Q&A. | 10% |
| Potential for Further Development / Scalability | Feasibility of improving, expanding, replicating, or deploying the project beyond the competition setting, including possible future applications or beneficiaries. | 5% |
G. Protests, Clarifications, and Appeals
- Clarifications regarding the rules shall be raised only by the registered team representative or designated team member.
- Questions concerning a match, attempt, or judging result must be raised immediately after the concerned match, attempt, or presentation and before the next competition activity begins.
- Initial concerns shall be addressed to the assigned referee or judge.
- If the concern cannot be resolved at that level, the matter may be elevated to the Head Referee or Robotics Competition Committee, as applicable.
- Appeals shall be based only on the official mechanics, competition records, or other verifiable evidence.
- Video recordings from participants or spectators may be considered only at the discretion of the Robotics Competition Committee.
- Once a final ruling has been issued by the Robotics Competition Committee, no further appeal shall be entertained.
- Participants shall observe proper conduct and decorum when raising clarifications or protests.
H. Penalties and Disqualification
Violations of the competition rules may result in a warning, loss of attempt/round, score deduction, match forfeiture, or disqualification.
- Use of prohibited or non-compliant robots, components, or control methods.
- Cheating, tampering, or intentional interference with another team.
- Refusal to comply with technical inspection or safety instructions.
- Unsafe operation of a robot or project.
- Serious or repeated unsportsmanlike or disrespectful conduct.
Unsafe robots or projects may be immediately stopped and removed from operation until cleared by the Robotics Competition Committee.
I. Awards and Recognition
The top three teams in each competition category shall receive the following awards:
| Place | Award |
|---|---|
| Champion | Trophy, certificates, and cash prize |
| 1st Runner-Up | Trophy, certificates, and cash prize |
| 2nd Runner-Up | Trophy, certificates, and cash prize |
Special awards may be given in selected categories, particularly the Robotics Innovation Showcase / Freestyle Category, subject to approval by the Robotics Competition Committee.
Downloads
You may also download the mechanics in document form.
Mechanics PDF
Official PDF copy of the competition mechanics.
Download PDF