Annual I&T Flagship “Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2026” Concludes with Great Success

(Hong Kong, 22 June 2026) — Organised by the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), the annual flagship innovation and technology (I&T) event for the tertiary education sector, “Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2026” concluded successfully yesterday. This year's competition pays tribute to traditional Chinese martial arts under the theme “Kung Fu Quest”, attracting 15 elite teams from 9 local tertiary institutions, with over 300 student participants. After a series of intense battles, Team Sapientia from the University of Hong Kong emerged victorious to claim the championship title. The winning team will represent Hong Kong as the home team in August at the "ABU Robocon 2026", organised by the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU) and co-hosted by HKSTP and Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK), where they will compete against top teams from 15 countries and regions.

Showcasing Three Martial Arts-Inspired Challenges

Inspired by Chinese martial arts, this year's competition challenged each team to deploy two robots across three tasks that embody the spirit of martial arts: forge "weapons" from scattered components, retrieve "Kung Fu scrolls" through the smartest route, and finally use the "scrolls" to conquer the "Giant Tic-Tac-Toe" showdown. The final stage demands real-time strategic decision-making, as teams must interpret opponents' moves, adjust their tactics instantaneously, and execute precise responses under strict time constraints, reflecting the wisdom and strategic thinking inherent in martial arts. 

Throughout the contest, teams demonstrated exceptional capabilities in artificial intelligence application, from recognition technology to autonomous path planning, showcasing how AI empowers every aspect of modern robotics to navigate complex challenges and execute precise movements. The robots performed with agility, precision, and accuracy on the arena, creating a tense and thrilling atmosphere that drew cheers and applause from the audience.

Andy Zheng, a third-year student in Computing Science at the University of Hong Kong's Faculty of Engineering, shared on behalf of the champion team: "Robocon tests not just technical skills and teamwork, but also perseverance. Finishing as runner-up in the international competition in Mongolia last year was a good start. This year, being able to compete on our home turf in Hong Kong, we are more eager than ever to win the championship and not let the Hong Kong audience down."

Competing on Home Ground this August – A Landmark Moment

This year's event carries special significance—as the host city of ABU Robocon 2026, Hong Kong is entitled to two spots in the international competition. The champion Team Sapientia from the University of Hong Kong and first runner-up Team Power Builder from the Chinese University of Hong Kong, will both represent Hong Kong on 23 August at the Queen Elizabeth Stadium in the international tournament. This marks Hong Kong’s return to hosting this flagship Asia-Pacific robotics event since 2012, signifying an important milestone in the city's I&T development.

Co-organised by HKSTP and RTHK, ABU Robocon 2026 is fundamentally a talent cultivation platform that inspires, challenges, and empowers the next generation of engineers and innovators. Beyond reinforcing Hong Kong's position as a global I&T hub and fostering cross-regional technology exchange and collaboration, the competition serves as a launchpad for young talent to gain international exposure, build lasting connections, and realise their full potential. The event will be broadcast live or delayed to countries and regions worldwide, with an expected global audience reaching hundreds of millions viewers.

Terry Wong, CEO of HKSTP, said, “Talent is the bedrock of innovation and technology. The Robocon Hong Kong Contest provides an unparalleled platform for students to sharpen their technical skills through real-world challenges and unlock their full potential, inspiring more young people to pursue careers in technology. The passion, creativity, and perseverance on display from every participating team are the very essence of Hong Kong's thriving I&T ecosystem. I am truly excited to witness our students compete alongside the world's finest teams at ABU Robocon 2026, and to present to the international community the calibre and limitless possibilities that Hong Kong's young engineers have to offer.”

Angelina Kwan, Director of Broadcasting, remarked that, ABU Robocon 2026 brings together top teams from 15 countries and regions, with live and relay broadcasts expected to reach hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide. The competition provides a dynamic platform for young talents to exchange ideas in innovation and technology. It also reinforces the Government’s commitment to the National 15th Five-Year Plan, which further highlights Hong Kong’s role as an international innovation and technology hub. RTHK looks forward to leveraging this landmark event to present Hong Kong's innovation and technology development and capabilities, as well as the city's unique appeal as a world city, to media representatives and participants from around the world.

Cultivating I&T Talent, Carrying a Legacy Forward

Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2026 has become the most anticipated robotics competition in the local tertiary education sector, providing a vital platform to spark interest in AI and robotics among the younger generation. Many past participants have since joined the I&T field, and some graduates have returned as mentors, sharing their experience and passing on technical expertise to the next generation—a true testament to the spirit of legacy and continuity.

Team Hong Kong has achieved remarkable results in international competitions, clinching the ABU Robocon Grand Prix three times (2019, 2022 and 2024), with a cumulative record of 3 championships, 5 first runner-ups, and 2 second runner-ups. This brings the total to 10 international awards that testify to the creativity and strength of Hong Kong's youth. These outstanding achievements are not only a source of pride for the participating students but also the best testament to the vibrant growth of Hong Kong's I&T ecosystem. With ABU Robocon 2026 being held on home soil, the city's robotics capabilities and I&T education outcomes will once again command the global spotlight.

Highlights of the Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2026 will be broadcast on RTHK TV32 on 28 June at 8:30pm. 

Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2026 – Winning Teams

Photo 1: Robocon Hong Kong Contest 2026 attracted 15 elite teams from 9 local tertiary institutions, with over 300 student participants.