The International Robot Olympiad (IRO) is more than a competition—it's a global movement empowering youth to explore the future of technology through hands-on robotics, coding, and AI. From imaginative early learners to advanced young engineers, students collaborate, create, and compete in a dynamic, real-world environment where innovation meets impact. Guided by STEM principles and a passion for problem-solving, IRO inspires tomorrow’s tech leaders to build intelligent solutions that make a difference.
The 2026–2027 AI Robotics Competition celebrates the Year of Family through the theme FAM-AI, recognizing that the first community every innovator belongs to is their family. This theme invites participants to explore how artificial intelligence and robotics can strengthen family bonds, support daily life, and solve challenges faced at home and across generations.
FAM-AI emphasizes that technology is most powerful when it serves human connection. Through collaboration with mentors, parents, and teammates, participants will discover that innovation does not begin in laboratories alone, it begins around the dinner table, in shared conversations, and in the desire to care for one another.
Coaches sign up teams of 3-5 students on the website
Teams design, build, and program autonomous solutions to meet the competition challenges while following specific guidelines
Join the regional IRO featuring teams from your region that's happening October 2025
Teams that triumph at the national level will contend on a global stage, competing against teams in October 2025 worldwide to emerge as the IRO 2026-27 champion
This exciting introductory STEM competition sparks the natural curiosity of young learners (Grade 1-4) with engaging, hands-on challenges designed to inspire teamwork and creative problem-solving. Using the open source.- arudino, raspberry pi, esp, etc, teams of 3 to 5 kids will explore fun building activities and engineering basics as they bring imaginative projects to life.
Learn MoreIn Creators, teams of students Grade 5-7 dive into the world of robotics and coding, using the open source.- arudino, raspberry pi, esp, etc to explore advanced problem-solving and innovation. Participants learn to design, build, and program robots that tackle real-world challenges, from environmental conservation to smart city design.
Learn MoreIn Creators, student teams (Grade 8-12) engage in a hands-on robotics challenge, using the open source.- arudino, raspberry pi, esp, etc and open-source tools to design, code, and program robots for complex tasks. This competition fosters innovation, collaboration, and real-world problem-solving in an inspiring, tech-driven environment.
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The International Robotics Olympiad (IRO) Core Values are the foundation of our program, setting IRO apart from other robotics competitions worldwide.
By embracing these Core Values, participants learn that friendly competition and collective growth go hand in hand, and that supporting one another is essential to true teamwork.
Through our Core Values, we express the IRO philosophies of respect, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence in robotics.
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