Robot Making Competition (ROBOFEST- 6.0) – India

ROBOFEST Gujarat 6.0 is a national-level autonomous robotics competition encouraging students across India to develop innovative robotics and artificial intelligence solutions. The competition is open to school, ITI, diploma, undergraduate, and postgraduate STEM students and offers prizes, prototype funding, and special awards across multiple robotics categories.

About the Competition

ROBOFEST Gujarat 6.0 is designed to promote innovation, creativity, and practical applications of robotics and artificial intelligence among students across India.

The competition provides a platform for young innovators to design, develop, and demonstrate autonomous robotic systems addressing real-world challenges in areas such as security, deep-sea exploration, autonomous transportation, sports technology, humanitarian support, education, and industrial applications.

The event encourages students to move from ideas to working prototypes by providing multiple competition levels, including ideation, proof of concept, and prototype development.

Objectives of ROBOFEST Gujarat 6.0

The competition aims to:

• Encourage robotics and AI innovation among students.
• Promote hands-on learning and technology development.
• Support development of autonomous robotic solutions.
• Inspire students to address societal, environmental, and industrial challenges.
• Create opportunities for young innovators to showcase their ideas nationally.
• Encourage entrepreneurship and commercialization of robotics solutions.

Competition Categories

ROBOFEST Gujarat 6.0 includes three major competition segments:

• Junior Level
• Senior Level
• AI-Powered Robotics Innovation Hackathon

Junior Level Categories

The Junior Level is designed for school, ITI, and diploma students.

Categories include:

• AI Homo Bots
• AI Autonomous Driving Bots
• Robot Athletics

Students will develop robotic solutions focusing on autonomous movement, artificial intelligence applications, and robotic performance challenges.

Senior Level Categories

The Senior Level is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate STEM students.

Categories include:

Aerial Robotics: Minefield Navigation Challenge

Participants develop aerial robotic systems capable of navigation and problem-solving in challenging environments.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle

Teams create underwater robotic solutions for exploration and marine applications.

Intelligent Ground Vehicle Competition

Participants develop autonomous ground vehicles focused on navigation, mobility, and intelligent decision-making.

Application-Based Categories

Students can develop robotics solutions addressing practical challenges across different sectors.

AI-Powered Robotics Innovation Hackathon

The Hackathon focuses on developing AI-powered robotic solutions for real-world problems.

Projects may address:

• Social challenges.
• Industrial improvements.
• Environmental solutions.
• Scientific applications.
• Safety and accessibility.
• Productivity enhancement.
• Quality-of-life improvements.

Participants are encouraged to create innovative solutions combining robotics, artificial intelligence, and practical applications.

Prize and Funding Support

Junior Level Awards

Each Junior Level category provides:

• Level-I (Ideation): ₹0.25 lakh
• Level-II (Proof of Concept): ₹1.00 lakh
• Level-III (Prototype): ₹11.00 lakh

Prototype-level prizes include:

• First Prize: ₹5 lakh
• Second Prize: ₹3 lakh
• Third Prize: ₹2 lakh
• Consolation Prize: ₹1 lakh

The total funding available per Junior Level category is ₹32.25 lakh.

Senior Level Awards

Each Senior Level category provides:

• Level-I (Ideation): ₹0.50 lakh
• Level-II (Proof of Concept): ₹2.00 lakh
• Level-III (Prototype): ₹25.00 lakh

Prototype-level prizes include:

• First Prize: ₹10 lakh
• Second Prize: ₹7.5 lakh
• Third Prize: ₹5 lakh
• Consolation Prize: ₹2.5 lakh

The total funding available per Senior Level category is ₹67.50 lakh.

Hackathon Awards

The AI-Powered Robotics Innovation Hackathon provides:

Level-I (Ideation)

• ₹0.50 lakh
• Available across 100 awards

Level-II

Total funding support includes:

• First Prize: ₹10 lakh
• Second Prize: ₹7.5 lakh
• Third Prize: ₹5 lakh
• Consolation Prize: ₹2.5 lakh

The total funding available for the Hackathon category is ₹75 lakh.

Special Awards

Five special awards are available across Junior, Senior, and Hackathon categories.

Awards include:

• Young Innovator Award
• Best Startup & Commercialization Potential Award
• Best Social Impact Solution Award
• Best Innovative Design Award
• Women in Robotics & AI Excellence Award

Each special award carries a prize amount of ₹5 lakh.

Eligibility Criteria

Junior Level Eligibility

Eligible participants include:

• Students from registered and affiliated Indian institutes offering Diploma and ITI courses.
• Students from schools offering Classes 9–12 with STEM subjects.

Requirements:

• Teams must have a mentor.
• The mentor must hold a regular position in the participating school, ITI, or Polytechnic institution.

Senior Level Eligibility

Eligible participants include:

• Students from registered and affiliated Indian institutes, colleges, and universities offering STEM programmes.

Requirements:

• Each team must consist of four students and one faculty mentor.
• Fourth-year engineering students are not eligible.
• The mentor must be a regular faculty member from a state university, affiliated institute, or college.
• The mentor must have at least three years of STEM teaching experience.

Hackathon Eligibility

The Hackathon is open to:

• Class 9–12 students.
• ITI students.
• Diploma students.
• Undergraduate students.
• Postgraduate STEM students.

Participants must be enrolled as full-time students.

Team and Mentorship Requirements

ROBOFEST Gujarat 6.0 encourages collaboration between students and academic mentors.

Mentors are responsible for guiding teams in:

• Technical development.
• Project planning.
• Prototype creation.
• Research and innovation activities.

Faculty involvement helps students strengthen their technical skills and successfully develop robotics solutions.

Benefits of Participation

Participants can gain:

• National-level recognition.
• Robotics and AI development experience.
• Prototype development opportunities.
• Innovation and entrepreneurship exposure.
• Networking with technology communities.
• Opportunities to showcase solutions to industry and academic experts.

Tips for Participants

Students preparing for ROBOFEST Gujarat 6.0 should:

• Select a problem with real-world relevance.
• Focus on innovation and practical impact.
• Develop strong technical documentation.
• Test prototypes thoroughly.
• Highlight AI integration and automation capabilities.
• Work closely with mentors throughout development.

Conclusion

ROBOFEST Gujarat 6.0 provides a national platform for students to explore robotics, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. With significant prize support, prototype funding opportunities, and recognition through special awards, the competition encourages young innovators to transform creative ideas into impactful robotic solutions for society and industry.