
Robocon (short for Robotic Contest) is organised by
Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union
The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU or APBU), formed in 1964, is a non-profit, professional association of broadcasting organisations. It currently has over 287 members in 57 countries and regions, reaching a potential audience of about 3 bil ...
(ABU), a collection of over 20 countries of Asia Pacific Region. NHK, Japan had already been organising such contests at national level and also became the host of the first ABU Robocon in 2002. Since then, every year one of the member broadcasters hosts this international event.

The broadcasters of each participant country are responsible for conduct of their national contests to select the team which will represent their country in the International Contest. Teams from engineering and technological colleges are eligible for participation. Participating Teams are expected to design and fabricate their own robots and organize their teams including an Instructor, Team Leader, Manual Robot Operator and an Automatic Robot Operator.
National Contest
Doordarshan
Doordarshan (abbreviated as DD; Hindi: , ) is an Indian public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. One of India's largest b ...
, the national public service broadcaster organises National Robocon event every year and the winning team gets an opportunity to represent India at the international competition. First Robocon contest was held in 2002, in which only four teams from three colleges had participated at
IIT Kanpur
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Hindi: भारतीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान कानपुर) is a public institute of technology located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. It wa ...
. Going from strength to strength, this number has reached 66 in Indian National Robocon 2012 and 107 in 2018 held at the Boxing Arena of
Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex
The Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex is a sports complex located in Pune, India. The complex is situated about 15 km from Pune downtown and 5 km from Hinjawadi. This complex was the venue for the 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games, ...
, Balewadi, Pune.

Mumbai Kendra of Doordarshan organised National Robocon from 2005 to 2018. The initiative was taken by Mr Mukesh Sharma, the Director of Doordarshan Kendra Mumbai.
Every year finals of Robocon India are held on First Saturday of March. The best engineering institutes across the country compete with each other for the honour of representing Indian National team at the International version of the competition for three gruelling days.
Elimination rounds are held on days preceding the First Saturday of March. This routine schedule been fixed in India through mutual consultations of participating colleges and Doordarshan of India. International Contests are held in August every year when the national contests of all the countries have been completed and their representatives selected. The host country has the privilege of fielding two teams. India hosted its first international contest in August 2008 in the MIT Sports grounds, Pune. In 2014 again, India hosted the international contest on August 24. For the last four years the National Robotics Championship has been organized in the famous Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Mahalunge, Balewadi, Pune.
Being the leading broadcaster in India, Doordarshan has been instrumental in providing wide coverage and public reach to Robocon.
Recent Competitions
Robocon India 2022
Awards
DD-ROBOCON 2022 Awards:
#''Winner:''
Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
#''1st Runner Up'' - Government College of Engineering and Research, Avasari.
Government College of Engineering and Research, Avasari
#''2nd Runner Up'' -Pimpri Chinchwad College Of Engineering, Pune.
Pimpri Chinchwad College Of Engineering, Pune
Helping Hand Awards
#''Helping Hand Award (RS 25,000 INR Cash prize)'' to MIT World Peace (MIT-WPU) University Pune.
#''Helping Hand Award (RS 20,000 INR Cash prize)'' to Parul University.
fusion Design Awards:
#''fusion Design Award (RS 30,000 INR) to Team KJSCE Robocon from KJ Somaiya College of Engineering.
#''fusion Impact Award (RS 40,000 INR) to team PU Robocon from Parul University.
Special Awards:
*''Visvesvaraya Award (RS 1,00,000 INR) for the Best Design'' to GTU Robotics Club from Gujarat Technical University.
*''PARAM Award (RS 75,000 INR) for the Best Software'' to BRACT's Vishwakarma Institute of Technology.
*''Ashoka Award (RS 50,000 INR) for the Best Aesthetics'' to Team Rudra from Marathwada Mitra Mandal's College of Commerce.
Other Awards:
*''Best Report Award'' to Padmabhooshan Vasantdada Patil Institute of Technology - (PVPIT) Bavdhan, Pune.
*''IHSC Award'' to MIT World Peace University, Pune.
*''Best software fusion Design'' to National Institute of Technology Durgapur.
*''Abdul Kalam Award - for the Best New Team '' to Panchjanya from Birla Vishvakarma Mahavidyalaya.
Robocon India 2021
With the 20th anniversary of the ABU ROBOCON the organizing committee brings you the most exciting theme based on the game of “Throwing Arrows” from ancient china. The theme challenges teams to play the ancient game by using the robots equipped with the modern technology. The game will be between two teams having two robots each.
•''Winner:''
Nirma University
Nirma University (NU) is a multi-disciplinary university located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It functions under the aegis of the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF). The Gujarat Government has granted "Centre of Excellence" statu ...
(ITNU)
Robocon India 2020
Winner:
MIT World Peace University
MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) is a state private university (deemed university) located in Kothrud, Pune, India. It is a part of the MIT Group of Institutions.
It is officially named Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University. It was e ...
,
Pune
Pune (; ; also known as Poona, ( the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million As of 2021, Pune Metropolitan Region is the largest i ...
(MTT)
Robocon India 2019
The National ABU Robocon 2019 was held in the Lecture Hall Complex of IIT Delhi. Final match was played between
L. D. Engineering College, Ahmedabad and Institute of Technology,
Nirma University
Nirma University (NU) is a multi-disciplinary university located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It functions under the aegis of the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF). The Gujarat Government has granted "Centre of Excellence" statu ...
, Ahmedabad on 16 June 2019.
L. D. Engineering College, Ahmedabad won the National level Robocon 2019 contest.
Nirma University
Nirma University (NU) is a multi-disciplinary university located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It functions under the aegis of the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF). The Gujarat Government has granted "Centre of Excellence" statu ...
was first runners up and
Gujarat Technological University
Gujarat Technological University (International Innovative University), commonly referred as ''GTU'', is a state university affiliating many engineering, pharmacy, and management colleges in Gujarat state, India. The university is headed by the st ...
was second runners up.
International contest of ABU Robocon 2019 is going to be held at
Ulaanbaatar
Ulaanbaatar (; mn, Улаанбаатар, , "Red Hero"), previously anglicized as Ulan Bator, is the capital and most populous city of Mongolia. It is the coldest capital city in the world, on average. The municipality is located in north c ...
, Mongolia. The theme is "Sharing the knowledge". It is related to the Urtuu system of Mongolian tradition. The winning team will be represent India at Mongolia for International Robocon contest.
The host of Robocon 2019 was IIT Delhi and the format of game is also changed.
The format of Robocon 2019 consists of three stages. Teams from across the nation opposed theis new format, This new format is not allowing all teams to took part in Robocon 2019, only the qualifying teams after stage 1 and 2 are allowed to took part.
The Robocon event has stopped after 2019
In first stages the evolution is based on the report and Cad Model submitted. Total Marks 100.
# Solution Ideas (20 Marks)
# Design Detail Document (40 Marks)
# CAD Modeling (40 Marks)
Total 86 teams participated in Stage one, out of 86 teams 54 teams were qualified for stage 2.
In second stage evolution is based on the video of actual robots performing different task as per rule-book of ABU Robocon 2019. Total Marks 100.
# Shagai Placing and Throwing (20 Marks)
# Gerege passing mechanism (20 Marks)
# Movement of MR1 - Manual Robot (20 Marks)
# Movement of MR2 - Autonomous Bot (40 Marks)
From 54 teams 26 teams were qualified for the actual competition held at IIT Delhi.
The third stage is the actual competition held at Lecture Hall Complex of IIT Delhi on 16 June 2019. Eight teams were finalized for the quarterfinals based on their points in league matches.
Awards
* ''Judges Special Award 1:''
IIT Roorkee
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (abbreviated IIT Roorkee) is a technical university located in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. It is the oldest engineering institution in India, and was founded as the College of Civil Engineering in Brit ...
* ''Judges Special Award 2:''
Government College of Engineering and Research, Avasari
* ''Best Report Award + 10,000 INR Cash + Book "Introduction to Robotics" By Prof. SK Saha'' :
Sardar Patel College of Engineering, Mumbai
* ''Springer 100 Euro Book Coupon Award:'' All the Quarter Finalists
* ''MathWorks Modelling Award:''
*#''1st Winner: 35,000 INR :
Government College of Engineering, Aurangabad
Government College of Engineering, Aurangabad (GECA) is aautonomous engineeringInstitute in Maharashtra state of India. It is affiliated to the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University and was established in 1960. The construction of the c ...
*# ''2nd Winner: 20,000 INR'' :
Pimpri Chinchwad College Of Engineering, Pune
*# ''3rd Winner: 10,000 INR:
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING PUNE (COEP)''
* ''DD-ROBOCON 2019 Awards:''
*# ''Winner:''
L. D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad
*# ''1st Runner Up:''
Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
*# ''2nd Runner Up:'' Gujarat Technological University (GTU), Team A
* ''Prof. Balakrishna Memorial Award (For the Winner):
L. D. College of Engineering, Ahmedabad''
Robocon India 2018
The National ABU Robocon 2018 was held in the Badminton Hall of the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune on the 1–3 March 2018. The theme for Robocon 2018 declared as ''ném còn'' (throwing shuttlecock). The goal of the game is to throw the shuttlecocks through the ring at height. In Vietnamese culture, the game is about celebration and making friendship.

Institute of Technology,
Nirma University
Nirma University (NU) is a multi-disciplinary university located in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It functions under the aegis of the Nirma Education and Research Foundation (NERF). The Gujarat Government has granted "Centre of Excellence" statu ...
, Ahmedabad won the National ABU Robocon 2018 Contest.
MIT Tech Team from Maharashtra Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private land-grant research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Established in 1861, MIT has played a key role in the development of modern technology and science, and is one of the m ...
,
Pune
Pune (; ; also known as Poona, ( the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million As of 2021, Pune Metropolitan Region is the largest i ...
, was the first runner-up and
K J Somaiya Institute of Engineering and Information Technology, Mumbai, was the second runner up.
L D Engineering College, Ahmedabad won the best idea award.
IIT Roorkee
Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (abbreviated IIT Roorkee) is a technical university located in Roorkee, Uttarakhand, India. It is the oldest engineering institution in India, and was founded as the College of Civil Engineering in Brit ...
won the best innovative design award.
Neotech Institute of Technology, Vadodara Neo-Tech or Neo Tech may refer to:
* Neo-Tech Publishing Company, now known as Integrated Management Associates
* Neo-Tech (philosophy), a philosophy promoted by Frank R. Wallace
* Neo Tech, a variant of the Neo Sans typeface
*''Neotech'', game pro ...
Won Rookie award.
Robocon India 2017

The National ABU Robocon 2017 took place in the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Krida Sankul, Pune on 2–4 March 2017. The contest theme has been declared as "Asobi : The Landing Disc”.
College of Engineering, Pune
COEP Technological University, is A Unitary Public University of Government of Maharashtra, situated in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Established in 1854, it is the 2nd oldest engineering college in India, after IIT Roorkee (1847). The students a ...
won the National ABU Robocon 2017 Contest.
Maharashtra Institute of Technology
MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) is a state private university (deemed university) located in Kothrud, Pune, India. It is a part of the MIT Group of Institutions.
It is officially named Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University. It was e ...
,
Pune
Pune (; ; also known as Poona, ( the official name from 1818 until 1978) is one of the most important industrial and educational hubs of India, with an estimated population of 7.4 million As of 2021, Pune Metropolitan Region is the largest i ...
, was the first runner-up.
Robocon India 2016
The National ABU Robocon 2016 took place in the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati Krida Sankul, Pune on 3–5 March 2016. The theme for Robocon 2016 has been declared as 'Chai-Yo : Clean Energy Recharging the World'.
Vadodara Institute of Engineering, Vadodara won the National ABU Robocon 2016 Contest.
College of Engineering, Pune
COEP Technological University, is A Unitary Public University of Government of Maharashtra, situated in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Established in 1854, it is the 2nd oldest engineering college in India, after IIT Roorkee (1847). The students a ...
, was the first runner-up.
Robocon India 2015
The National ABU Robocon 2015 took place in the Badminton Hall of the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune on 7 March 2015. The theme for Robocon 2015 has been declared by
Televisi Republik Indonesia (TVRI) as "Robomintion: Badminton Robo-Game".
Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad won the National ABU Robocon 2015 Contest and were the first runners-up.
Muffakham Jah College of Engineering and Technology (MJCET) stood third in the country and was also awarded the ‘Best Design and Aesthetics’ robot at the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union Robotics Contest (ABU Robocon) 2015 held at Maharashtra Institute of Technology, Pune.
U.V.Patel College of Engineering, Mehsana, Gujarat won the Best IDEA Award.
Robocon India 2014
The National ABU Robocon 2014 was held in the Badminton Hall of the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune on the 6, 7 & 8 March 2014. The theme for Robocon 2014 declared by MITAOE wa
"A SALUTE TO PARENTHOOD" Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad won the National Contest while
Veermata Jijabai Technological Institute (VJTI), Mumbai were the First Runner-up. Both these Institutes got the chance to represent India in the International Contest.
MIT Robocon Tech Team representing
Maharashtra Institute of Technology
MIT World Peace University (MIT-WPU) is a state private university (deemed university) located in Kothrud, Pune, India. It is a part of the MIT Group of Institutions.
It is officially named Dr. Vishwanath Karad MIT World Peace University. It was e ...
, Pune were the Second Runner-up.
The International ABU Robocon 2014 was held in India.
Lạc Hồng University
Lạc Hồng University ( vi, Đại Học Lạc Hồng) is a private university
Private universities and private colleges are institutions of higher education, not operated, owned, or institutionally funded by governments. They may (and oft ...
, Vietnam won the International ABU Robocon 2014 held at Balewadi, Pune.
Robocon India 2013
The National ABU Robocon 2013 was held in the Badminton Hall of the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune. MIT Tech Team from Maharashtra Institute of Technology won the contest and represented India in the international contest.
The International ABU Robocon 2013 was held in Danang, Vietnam. The Theme for Robocon 2013 declared by
VTV wa
"The Green Planet".The International ABU Robocon 2013 was won by
Kanazawa Institute of Technology
is an institution of higher learning in Nonoichi City, Ishikawa Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Chūbu region of Honshu island. Ishikawa Prefecture has a population of 1,140,573 (31 October 2019) and has a geographic ...
, Japan.
Robocon India 2012
The National ABU Robocon 2012 was held in the Boxing Arena of The Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi, Pune. MIT Tech Team from Maharashtra Institute of Technology won the contest and represented India in the international contest and L.D College of Engineering won the best innovative design award.
The theme for Robocon 2012 declared by Hong Kong, "Peng On Dai Gat".
It was won by University of Electronic Science and Technology of China.
Robocon India 2011

The Theme for Robocon 2011 declared by Thailand was Krathong, Lighting Happiness with Friendship.
It was won by Institute of Technology, Nirma University and this institute got a chance to represent India at International Robocon 2011.
The winner was Dhurakij Pundit University coming from Thailand.
Robocon India 2010.

The theme for Robocon 2010 declared by Egypt was Robo-Pharaohs Build Pyramids.
It was won by
MIT Robocon Tech Team from
MIT Pune.
[Host MIT makes the cut, wins Robocon prize](_blank)
/ref>
Robocon India 2009
Theme of Kago, the traditional Japanese palanquin, carried by human beings replaced by robots.
It was won by IIT Madras
Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) is a public technical university located in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. As one of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), it is recognized as an Institute of National Importance and has ...
.
Robocon India 2008
The Theme for Robocon 2008 declared by India was Govinda, a traditional Indian Deity who used to play earthly games by capturing butter/cheese from heads of Gopis.
It was won by Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. Runner-up was MIT Robocon Tech Team from MIT Pune. Both team got to represent India in ABU Robocon
The ABU Asia-Pacific Robot Contest (ABU Robocon) is an Asian-Oceanian college robot competition, founded in 2002 by Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union. In the competition robots compete to complete a task within a set period of time. The contest ai ...
as host country gets an opportunity to be represented by two teams.[NIT & MIT beat VIT and IIT in Robocon India](_blank)
/ref>
Robocon India 2007
It was won by IIT, Delhi.
Robocon India 2006
Robocon India 2005
Total 14 teams participated in the contest held on 24–25 June 2005 at MIT, Pune. The theme was ''"Climb The Great Wall And Light The Holy Fire".''
It was won by IIT Bombay.
Robocon India 2004
Total 12 teams participated in the contest held on 26–27 June 2004 at Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad. The theme was ''"Reunion of Separated Lovers, ‘Gyeonu and Jingnyeo".''
It was won by VESIT, Mumbai, while L. D. college of Engineering, Ahmedabad was runner-up.
Awards
Most Aesthetically Built Robot : Vivekanand Education Society's Institute Of Technology, Mumbai
Most Functional Robot : L. D. college of Engineering, Ahmedabad
Most Innovative Design : Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad
Consolation Prize for Simplest Design : U. V. Patel College of Engineering, Mehsana
Robocon India 2003
Total seven teams from five different universities participated in the contest held on 13–14 July 2003 at Nirma Institute, Ahmedabad. The theme was ''“Takraw Space Conqueror”''.
It was won by Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
Robocon India 2002
Four teams from three different universities participated in the contest held at IIT Kanpur
The Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) Hindi: भारतीय प्रौद्योगिकी संस्थान कानपुर) is a public institute of technology located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. It wa ...
on July 20–21, 2002. The theme was “''Reach for the top of Mt. Fuji''” and the participating teams were VESIT, Mumbai; IIT Kanpur and Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
It was won by Institute of Technology, Nirma University, Ahmedabad.
Results
References
External links
Official site (International)
Robocon India 2019
{{DEFAULTSORT:Robocon India
Robotics competitions
Recurring events established in 2002