Robotics competitions
What you’ll learn
- The main school robotics competitions
- Common challenge formats
- How to start a team
Major programmes
| Competition | Typical kit | What teams do |
|---|---|---|
| FIRST LEGO League (FLL) | LEGO Education (SPIKE allowed through 2027–28) | A robot game on a table mat, plus an innovation project and core values |
| FIRST Tech Challenge / FIRST Robotics Competition | Larger custom robots | Alliance games with driver-controlled and autonomous periods |
| VEX IQ / VEX V5 | VEX kits | Alliance games on a field; skills runs |
| World Robot Olympiad (WRO) | Open or LEGO-based depending on category | Categories such as RoboMission, Future Innovators, Future Engineers |
| RoboCup Junior | Open | Rescue, Soccer and OnStage leagues |
| Sumo and line-following contests | Usually open | Head-to-head pushing; fastest lap on a line track |
Common formats
- Mission/robot game: score points by completing tasks on a mat in a time limit.
- Head-to-head: sumo, soccer.
- Time trials: line following, maze.
- Innovation/presentation: research a real problem, present a solution.
Starting a team
- Pick a competition that fits your age, budget and kit.
- Find a coach or mentor (a teacher, parent or local maker).
- Read the rules together; make a season plan.
- Build, test and iterate, and keep an engineering notebook.
- Practise presenting what you learned, not just the robot.
Example: matching team to competition
| Team | Suggestion |
|---|---|
| Age 10, school has SPIKE kits | FIRST LEGO League |
| Age 13, Arduino club, small budget | Line following and mini sumo contests; RoboCup Junior Rescue |
| Age 15, keen on engineering and programming | WRO Future Engineers, VEX V5 or FIRST Tech Challenge |
Example: an engineering notebook page
Date · goal for the session · what we built or changed · test results (with numbers) · problems · next steps.
Find a local eventEasy
Search for robotics competitions in your country or city. Note one that fits you, its age range and its deadline.
Rules readingMedium
Download the current rules for one competition. Summarise the robot size limits and how points are scored.
Season planHard
Write a 10-week plan for a new team preparing for a line-following contest, using lessons from this site.
Quick check
Finished this lesson?