Robotics Innovation Challenge (RIC) 2021

Robotics Innovation Challenge is jointly organized by the National University of Singapore entities and the Singapore Science Center. As a platform for young learners to showcase their design thinking and technical know-how, the competition started with the purpose of “nurturing a large community of innovative, collaborative, and diligent future AI talents for Singaporean and other Asian societies". The competition encourages young learners to develop innovative solution concepts in a team while promoting knowledge exchange among participants in a multicultural environment.

The competition comprises a series of specially designed tasks, which require participants to put their textbook knowledge into practice and design a robot that solves the problem optimally. In order to perform well in the competition, the participants have to understand the challenge well, translate their solution concepts into algorithms, assemble a robot product that works physically, and fine-tune the strategies to their best. The hands-on work and the problem-solving process will make the competition both a challenging and memorable experience.

The committee strives to democratize AI by bringing competition and young hackers’ innovative work to the public eye. Besides allowing young learners to demonstrate their learning outcome, the competition also presents the AI world to a larger community, hoping to inspire those with a dream in science and technology to start early.

Healthcare services and the knowledge system behind have played a very important role in the history of human beings. It is a multi-disciplinary science that spans over nature sciences and social sciences. Looking back at the history of healthcare development, it is not difficult to find that the advancement of healthcare is closely related to technological innovation and the integration of cutting-edge disciplines. For example, the integration of information technology into the healthcare system has greatly improved the accuracy of disease diagnosis, the efficiency of drug development, and the clinical treatment capabilities. The theme of RIC 2021 is set to be "Modern Medical Technology", aiming to inspire young learners on the application of technology in the healthcare system. By designing robotics that solves challenges like how medicines fight against COVID-19, the participants will get a deeper understanding of the working mechanism of medicines. Most importantly, the capability of thinking critically and innovatively would turn them into future professionals who would probably shape the future of human beings.

This year, the theme of the competition is “MediBot: Empowering healthcare”. The participants will explore the AI and robotic applications in the healthcare industry, and learn new healthcare knowledge during the competition.

With the challenging tasks, team members need to plan their strategy efficiently and split the work wisely in order to come up with the best robot to win the championship.

To enhance continuous community-based learning, the competition will build an official online forum. The participants will be able to exchange ideas, discuss technologies and designs, and share the news before, during, and after the competition on the forum. We will also encourage more enthusiasts around the world to join the community.

Participants from different countries with different cultures and backgrounds can interact with each other, make international friends, and better understand other cultures in the world.

Participants will form teams of up to 3 people and deploy robots to complete a series of tasks in the fields. The referee will give scores to each team according to the rules of the game. The top four teams with the highest total score will have final rounds of PK match to compete for the championship.

Competition Chapters:

Junior category: 8-12 years old

Open category: 8-15 years old

Key competencies expected: well-balanced robotics mechanical design, programming and automation skills, strategic thinking, and teamwork.

Participants will form teams of up to 3 people and deploy robots to complete a single task in a single field. The referee will give scores to each team according to the rules of the game.

Competition Chapters:

Junior category: 8-12 years old

Open category: 8-15 years old

Key competencies expected: niche area robotics mechanical design, programming and automation skills, and teamwork.

Participants will form teams of up to 3 people and deploy robots at their designated booth. They will present the research topic and the solution concepts with demonstration. The performance will be evaluated in various dimensions, including but not limited to creativity, clarity, and presentation skills.

Competition Chapters:

Junior category: 8-12 years old

Open category: 8-15 years old

Key competencies expected: creativity, clarity, and presentation skills.

The competition handbook with detailed rules manual will be released in Jan 2021.

Grand Arena

Champion：S$ 800 + NVIDIA Jetson Nano kit + Trophy + Certificate

1st Runner-up：S$ 600 + NVIDIA Jetson Nano kit + Trophy + Certificate

2nd Runner-up：S$ 400 + Trophy + Certificate

3rd Runner-up：S$ 200 + Trophy + Certificate

Technical Competitions

Champion of each competition：S$ 100 + Certificate

Innovation Design Challenge

Champion：S$ 200 + Certificate

1st Runner-up：S$ 100 + Certificate

2nd Runner-up：S$ 50 + Certificate

2021 Summer

National University of Singapore