STEELBOTS 2026

The robot arenais open.

4 EVENTS. 1 DAY. 1 CHAMPION.

Build your robot. Enter the arena.
Compete in Sumo • Line Following • Robo Soccer • Robot Showcase

Oct 10, 2026Event day · Chennai
Deadline extended · Registration closes 2 Oct 2026Registration deadline · Limited slots
–d–h–m–s
Two student-built wheeled robots facing off in a blue-lit competition arena
OCT 10
CHENNAI · 2026
Four ways to compete

Choose your challenge.

Each entry brings its own ideas, engineering, and competitive spirit. Enter solo or with a team, except Robo Soccer which requires 2–3 participants.

Two small robots competing in a sumo arena
01

Sumo Robot

Push your limits and be the last bot standing.

Sensor-equipped robot following a track line
02

Line Following Robot

Precision, control, and speed on the track.

Robo soccer vehicle beside a soccer ball
03

Robo Soccer

Teamwork and strategy. Score to win.

Robotic arm mounted on a mobile showcase robot
04

Robot Showcase

Show off your innovation, creativity, and build.

Official rules · Updated 11 Sep 2026 New update

Build to spec. Compete fair.

Single RC Sumo class for all schools. Line Follower is autonomous. Robo Soccer is RC. Showcase is open. Referee decision is final.

Sumo robots in arena

01 Sumo Robot RC · Single class · 2 kg

  • RobotMax 2.0 kg with battery (min 500 g) · Fits in 20 × 20 cm at start · Wireless only (BT / Wi-Fi / RF) · Kill switch + remote stop · Max 12 V
  • Not allowedMagnets, suction, glue, nets, liquids, fire, projectiles, sharp cutters
  • ArenaBlack circle ~130 cm · White 5 cm border · 5 cm high
  • MatchBest of 3 · 2 min per round · Push-out or 10-sec pin wins
Expand full Sumo rules

Spec table: Weight 500 g – 2.0 kg (with battery, remote excluded) · Size 20 × 20 cm box (height open, must stay one piece) · Control BT / Wi-Fi / 2.4 GHz RF only · Power max 12 V, LiPo with protection · Must have kill switch + remote stop.

Arena: Black wood circle D ~130 cm, white 5 cm border, H 5 cm. Two start lines 20 cm apart in centre. Operator outside arena.

Procedure: 1) Pass inspection (weigh + box + radio + stop). 2) Place on start lines, step back. 3) Referee calls “Ready – Go!”. 4) Best of 3 rounds, 2 min each. 1-min break between rounds for minor fix (no battery swap).

Win / lose: Win round if opponent touches outside, flips and cannot recover in 10 sec, or stops responding. Still >10 sec without contact = warning. 2 warnings = lose round. Operator touch / interference = lose round.

Inspection checklist: scale ≤2.0 kg · fits 20 cm box · wireless link stable · kill/stop works · no banned parts. 15 min to fix, else disqualify. Referee final.

Line following robot on track

02 Line Following IR · Autonomous

  • RobotIR sensors only (2–6) · 2-wheel or 4-wheel · Max 20 × 20 cm, 1 kg · Start button, no RC
  • TrackWhite base · 15–20 mm line in Black / Red / Dark Blue · Curves, U-turn, 90° turns · No crossovers
  • Run2 attempts, best time counts · 3 min limit · Touch = +10 sec · 3 touches = run over
Expand full Line rules

Spec table: IR only, 2–6 sensors · 2WD or 4WD allowed · Max 20 × 20 cm, max 1 kg · Autonomous only, no BT/RC · Start button · Max 12 V.

Track: White base, continuous line 15–20 mm switching Black / Red / Dark Blue. Same width throughout. Curves, U-turn, 90° turns. No crossovers. Min 15 cm gap between lines. Colours announced 1 week before + printed at venue. Layout revealed on event day.

Procedure: 1) Inspection. 2) 30 sec trial adjustment. 3) Place at start, timer starts on crossing start. 4) 2 attempts, best valid time counts. 3 min cut-off per attempt.

Penalties: Touch/manual assist = +10 sec, restart from last checkpoint. 3 touches = run over. Full leave/shortcut = attempt invalid. Fastest valid time wins. Tie = extra run.

Robo soccer robot with ball

03 Robo Soccer RC · 4-wheel · 1 vs 1

  • Robot4 wheels mandatory, rubber tyres · Max 20 × 20 × 20 cm, 2 kg · Max 12 V · RC only
  • Field~3 × 2 m with walls · 50 cm goals · Ball provided
  • Match2 halves × 3 min · Most goals wins · No holding >3 sec · No pinning >5 sec
Expand full Soccer rules

Spec table: 4 wheels mandatory, differential drive · Rubber tyres only, no omni/mecanum · Max 20 × 20 × 20 cm, max 2 kg · RC only (BT/Wi-Fi/RF) · Max 12 V · No arms/nets to trap ball, no sharp edges.

Field: ~3 × 2 m flat with walls, 50 cm goals. Tennis/plastic ball provided. 2 teams, 1 robot each on field. Operators outside.

Procedure: Centre kick-off. After goal, conceding team restarts. 2 halves × 3 min, 2 min break. Group + knockout.

Fouls: Holding ball >3 sec, pinning >5 sec, full-speed ramming, flipping/lifting = foul. 2 fouls = penalty goal. Tie: 1 min golden goal, then 30-sec shootout vs empty goal.

Innovative showcase robot

04 Robot Showcase Best innovative robot

  • TracksPick 1: AI Assistant · IoT · Health & Care · Green / Safety / Farm
  • Format5 min demo + 3 min Q&A · Poster / video backup required
  • Judging100 pts: Innovation 30 · Build 30 · Presentation 20 · Real-world use 20
Expand full Showcase rules

Tracks: 1) AI Assistant (voice/vision/chatbot, study helper) · 2) IoT (ESP32 + sensors + app, smart classroom/home, water/power saver) · 3) Health & Care (elderly/disability helper, hygiene, medicine reminder) · 4) Green/Safety/Farm (agri, waste, environment, fire/flood alert, road safety).

Robot: No weight/size limit (must be safe, fit through door). Manual / auto / app / AI allowed. Student-built only.

Procedure: Pick 1 track at registration. 5 min live demo + 3 min judges Q&A. Poster/laptop video backup required.

Awards: Best in each track + Overall Showcase Champion (highest total).

General + inspection

Grades 6–12. Student-built only, no toy bots. Inspection before match: weigh + size box + radio + stop test. 15 min to fix, else disqualify. No jamming, no arena damage.

Where and when?

10 October 2026
Evolve Robot Lab, Nanganallur, Chennai.
Deadline extended: registrations close 2 October 2026. Event timings will be shared soon.

Recognition · Trophies · Rewards
UP TO · TOTAL PRIZE POOL
₹1,00,000

Recognition, trophies, and rewards across all four events.
Distribution: to be announced. See official rules below.

01Sumo Robot
02Line Following
03Robo Soccer
04Robot Showcase
Your route to the arena

Three moves. One unforgettable day.

01

Choose your event

Pick the challenge that matches your robot and strengths.

02

Register your entry

Share your school, coordinator, and participant details.

03

Enter the arena

Bring your build, compete with confidence, and chase the podium.

Everything you need to know

One entry. One challenge. Big possibilities.

Who can join?

School students from Grades 6–12. Sumo Robot, Line Following Robot, and Robot Showcase accept 1–3 participants; Robo Soccer requires a team of 2–3 participants. A parent, teacher, or authorized coordinator must register.

Where and when?

10 October 2026
Evolve Robot Lab, Nanganallur, Chennai.
Deadline extended: registrations close 2 October 2026. Event timings will be shared soon.

How much?

₹1,000 solo · ₹2,000 per team of 2–3 students.
Register first, pay by UPI, and send the payment proof with your reference to confirm the slot.

Official event poster

Take SteelBots to your school.

Share the official event poster with your classmates, teacher, or robotics club.

Download poster
Evolve SteelBots 2026 official event poster
Save your spot

Ready for SteelBots?

Event: 10 Oct 2026 · Deadline extended · Registration closes 2 Oct 2026Only a few days left — submit now to lock your slot.

Complete the form and our team will contact your coordinator with the next steps.

₹1,000 total for 1 participant
₹1,000 solo entry · ₹2,000 total per team of 2–3 students

Your registration is saved after submission. Payment instructions and timings will follow. Please read the official rules before you build.

Participant details

Register for SteelBots 2026