The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) is organising the Manufacturing Robotics Challenge, a two-day hackathon-style event for students, early career researchers and industrial engineers, at ICRA 23 in London. 

The event will be a follow-on from the highly successful UK-RAS Manufacturing Robotics Challenge 2019 and 2021, both hosted by the University of Sheffield and AMRC. Up to 20 participants will compete in teams of four or five to build the tallest Jenga tower using collaborative robots, machine vision, AI, control algorithms, and digital twins. The task is designed to challenge and stimulate some core skills required by robotics engineers. Participants will have to use solid problem solving skills, concentration, strategic planning, mental flexibility, and creativity to complete the task. The challenge is also designed to replicate a ‘Learning Factory’ environment outlined as a simulation of an industrial factory. This will promote a solid understanding of key concepts required in manufacturing such as robotic manipulation, motion planning, perception and vision and will also enable critical thinking approaches to common manufacturing scenarios and higher levels of analytical and organisational capabilities necessary to react to the continuing changes that the Industry faces in the future.

The challenge will be hosted at ExCeL London from the May 30 - 31, 2023. The event will bring together early career researchers and engineers from across disciplines to develop practical solutions to real-world problems in a competitive environment. Also, a fantastic prize will be awarded to the winning team.

The event is open to final-year masters students, PhD students, early-career researchers, industrial engineers and others with relevant experience in areas including robotics, autonomous systems, computer vision, and machine learning. Successful applicants will be arranged into small teams, based on skills and experience, and will compete against each other to complete a series of robotics challenges.

To support innovation in industry, we need to foster the development of knowledge and skills, and the transfer of novel technologies from research into the industrial environment. This challenge will bring together the technology leaders of tomorrow to work together to create innovative solutions to real-world problems.

Dr James Law, Sheffield Robotics, University of Sheffield Department of Computer Science, and the AMRC

The 2023 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) is the largest and most prestigious event of the year in the Robotics and Automation calendar and will bring together the world's top academics, researchers, and industry representatives. Taking place for the first time in the UK, London will provide the perfect backdrop to this world-class event. If Robotics and Automation is your field, you need to be a part of this.

How to apply:

We are expecting a high volume of applications so a down-selection process will take place. If you want to apply please complete this application form

Once accepted you will receive a confirmation email with a link to register to the competition. The registration consists of a refundable £30 fee. The fee will be refunded once attendance to the event has been confirmed.

Registration Deadline: 30th of April

Confirmation of acceptance: 3rd of May

How to contact us: If you have any questions please contact Gianmarco Pisanelli at g.pisanelli@amrc.co.uk