black blue and yellow textile
black blue and yellow textile

Open Platform

Robotics

Build your robot from anything you want, VEX, LEGO, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, Series Logic, PLC or a dustbin.

Saturday, October 4th, 2025

St Andrews International School Bangkok

To join the Mayhem!

Register Here

Race to the top of a multi-level structure using only sensors and ingenuity

A multi-robot driver controlled sumo wrestling inspired competition with bottomless pits (defying the laws of physics) and the need to dodge moving obstacles that might knock you off the field.

A long and thin track filled with obstacles - get safely to the other side

Robots will need to:

  • Successfully ascend ramps without getting stuck.

  • Navigate autonomously to the summit.

  • Activate a game object at the top to release the RAT flag.

To add to the excitement, full challenge details and additional circuit variations will be kept secret until 10 days before the event, ensuring teams focus on adaptability, critical thinking, and real-time problem-solving.

Played on a field without edges and holes in the middle - 4 robots will attempt to tip, push, and remove their opponents from the game

  • Be able to push and tip other robots of the field

  • Be able to fit into a 25cm cube box

  • Be able to dodge moving obstacles located in the field that might try and force them into a hole/off an edge

Think ‘Robot Wars’ where your robots will return home without any battle scars (hopefully); they are only allowed to push and tip - no whacking or chopping the other RATs

Robots must autonomously navigate the narrow path without veering of avoiding obstacles along the way that are trying to disrupt their journey

Obstacles may include swinging bars, moving balls, or other unpredictable elements

  • The objective is to reach the end of the run without crashing

  • You gain more points for successfully passing obstacles

  • You can manually reset at any section or skip a section (but it will cost you points)

This challenge will test precision, path planning, and real-time obstacle avoidance, adding another exciting layer to the competition.

Competition Awards

Teams will compete for a variety of awards recognizing innovation, teamwork, and engineering excellence:

Robot Autonomous Champion

Best overall performance in the autonomous challenge.

Best Carer Sharer

Team that exemplifies collaboration and support for others.

Forward-Thinking Design

Innovative ideas that push engineering and coding boundaries.

Innovative Design

Unique and creative problem-solving in robot design.

Best Build

Exceptional mechanical and structural design

Most Creative

Out-of-the-box thinking in robot functionality and aesthetics.

Engineering Excellence

Best integration of mechanics, electronics, and coding.

Best Problem-Solving Team

Team that overcomes major obstacles during the event

Best Use of Sensors

Effective application of sensors for autonomous navigation.

Resilience Award

Team that demonstrates persistence and adaptability under pressure.

Details

First Event Date: Saturday, October 4th, 2025, 08:00 - 16:30
Location: St Andrews International School Bangkok
Number of Teams: 30 (maximum)
Age Limit: 8-14 years old
Team Entry Limit: Maximum of 4 teams per organization
Competition Format: Fully autonomous challenge
Next Event: May 2026

Cost to enter team: 4000 Baht

Competition Release Schedule

March 2025 - Initial Competition Announcement

  • Overview of the autonomous challenge released.

  • Initial teaser materials shared to generate excitement.

April 2025 - CAD Files & Basic Game Rules

  • Early CAD models released for teams to explore the competition environment.

  • Basic rules (team structure, robot size limits, eligibility) provided.

May 2025 - Full Challenge Details (Except Final Game Challenge)

  • Full competition structure, scoring system, and logistics shared.

  • Additional CAD files released to assist in robot design.

June 1st 2025 - Sample Materials Sent to Schools

  • Schools receive sample materials to aid in robot design.

  • Sample robot design provided for fundamental build guidance.

  • Teams encouraged to start prototyping.

August 26, 2025 - Game Design Reveal!

  • At 13:00, teams will get their first look at the finalized game design!

  • A 1.5-hour brainstorming and testing session will allow teams to develop strategies.

Register Here

Other Details

Understanding our CAD Models

The CAD model provided serves as a visual reference only and should not be taken as an exact representation of the final competition setup. While the multi-story tower in the model may resemble the actual challenge and reflect the correct number of levels, teams should not rely on it for final design decisions.

  • Tracking the game object: There will be designated ways to track the game object’s movement on the multi-level structure.

  • Environmental features: Elements such as walls, corners, and tracking lines will play a role in navigation.

  • Raising the RAT flag: Specific details regarding the tag mechanism required to release the flag will only be revealed at the August game design reveal.

Finalized design insights: Official photos of the completed challenge setup will be published in August, ensuring teams have a clear understanding before the competition.

A True Student-Centered Competition

At RAT Foundation, students take the lead. This competition is all about fostering innovation and independence, while adults serve as facilitators only. Students will be responsible for:

  • Designing and programming their robots.

  • Managing their time and available resources.

  • Presenting and explaining their work to judges.

A structured event setup will be in place to ensure limited coach interaction, reinforcing a truly hands-on, student-driven experience.

Judging & Team Presentations

Each team will participate in a 5-minute interview with event judges. During this session, teams will:

  • Explain their robot’s build and coding approach.

  • Describe the pre-built components they brought to the event.

  • Showcase modifications made within the 1.5-hour adjustment period.

  • Detail time and resource management strategies.

  • Discuss potential improvements for future competitions.

Final Thoughts

The RAT Foundation Robotics Competition is built to challenge students in problem-solving, programming, and design, all while encouraging collaboration, creativity, and resilience.

With a strong emphasis on real-world robotics applications, engineering, and innovation, this competition will inspire the next generation of roboticists in an exciting, high-energy, and student-driven environment.

Get ready to innovate, build, and compete! Stay tuned for more updates as the challenge details unfold!ext here...