Team of 2–6 · Robot run + interview
Robotics
Drive a robot through an obstacle course.
What you make or do
- Design, build, and test one robot that meets the specifications.
- Practice controlling it to collect objects and place them in the matching goals.
This year’s challenge
Collect and score objects while navigating four obstacle zones. An optional ending-zone task offers bonus points.
How the competition works
Before the event
Design, build, and test your robot against the 2027 challenge, and prepare the equipment needed for inspection and operation.
First round
After inspection, drive your robot through the challenge course during a ten-minute run.
If you advance
Explain your work in a team interview.
Know before you choose: Your robot must fit inside a 16 × 16 × 16 inch space at the start. Ask your teacher about the conflicting semifinalist counts in the official sources.
How your work is scored
The current challenge sheet explains object points, the ending-zone bonus, and penalties. The guide also includes the interview rating form.
Official files to keep
- Download the full event guide (PDF)
- Download the official rubric or score sheet (PDF)
- Download 2027-robotics-ms.pdf
- Download the general rules (PDF)
- Download the complete guide with the forms appendix (PDF)
Read the guide, current challenge, and updates together. This overview helps you choose; the official documents give the full requirements.
Guide evidence: 277–281; 2027 challenge pp. 1–5 and 15. Annual sources checked September 10, 2026. These are national competition rules; your teacher will confirm any regional or state changes.
Interested in this event?
Use the notes sheet to check what this choice would involve.
Start my competition notes