Autonomous Robot Manipulation Challenge

Organized and Supported by RoboCup, MathWorks, and Universal Robots

The Autonomous Robot Manipulation Challenge is a RoboCup-affiliated event aiming to involve young researchers and students to address challenging problems related to autonomous robot manipulation, within an educational scientific competition.

The challenge is jointly organized with the technical support of RoboCup, MathWorks, Universal Robots, and with previous collaboration with AIPlan4EU UE project.

Registration open here - Submission Form here

Participants are tasked with completing a recycling task with a robot manipulator in a dynamic environment. Robot manipulation and grasping are important skills for most robotic applications. This challenge aims to provide a leveled playing field for RoboCup participants and student teams to research and demonstrate their skills regarding manipulation perception and control in a simulated environment and later transport those algorithms to commercial robots. Teams will implement perception and control algorithms in MATLAB and Simulink to grasp and manipulate bottles, cans, and detergent pouches within a table to classify them into two bins. Points are awarded based on the performance of the algorithm in new environments.

Finalists will be invited to RoboCup 2025 to participate in person programming a real-robot set-up featuring Universal UR5e robots. Even if you are uncertain about participation, feel free to pre-register to obtain more information about the challenge and to stay involved in this initiative in the future. Note that Pre-registration is not a commitment to actual participation and final registration.

New Objects for 2025 from YCB Benchmarks

SPAM Can

Expo Markers

Colored Cubes

Organizing Committee

Luca Iocchi & Oskar Von Stryk (RoboCup Federation)

Jose Avendaño (MathWorks)

Rune Søe-Knudsen (Universal Robots)

Marco Simoes & Reinaldo Bianchi (RoboCup Brasil)

Organizing Partners

Prizes

Top teams: Invited to participate in the RoboCup 2025 Finals using an in-person setup with real Universal Robots UR5e*
Top 4 international teams: Qualify for up to $1250 travel support to the RoboCup Finals in Salvador, Brasil
All teams: Certificates of participation and skills developed in robotics manipulation algorithm development for all team members

*Note: Invitation to finals does not include registration and only top qualifying international teams are eligible for travel expense assistance

Important Dates

November 2024 - Registration is open for the 2025 season. Teams can start programming after being registered with previous environments.
February 3rd, 2025 - New game environment and templates released.
February 19, 2025- Live Q&A session for teams (2025 Recording)
April 11, 2025 - Registration deadline
May 5th (7am Boston time), 2025 - Submission deadline for semifinals round
May 6-7, 2025 - Announcement of teams qualified for in-person finals
July 15-21, 2025 - Finals during RoboCup 2025 using Universal robots at Salvador, Brasil

Participation Guide for 2025

ParticipationGuide_Robot_Manipulation_Challenge_v4.pdf

Registration

All teams must register.

1. Teams may register whether they currently participate in a RoboCup league or not with no fees for the virtual qualification round. Some fees will be necessary to register for the RoboCup finals if a team qualifies within the top 4.
Registration deadline: April 11th, 2025
Questions about registration? Email:financeiro@robocup.org.br or roboticsarena@mathworks.com

Submission