ABU Robocon 2026 kicks off in HK with kung fu-inspired robotics challenge

The Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union Robot Contest 2026 kicked off in Hong Kong on Sunday, gathering 16 university teams from 15 countries and regions to take on a robotics challenge inspired by the spirit of Chinese martial arts.

The event attracted around 2,000 people, including more than 650 overseas and mainland participants, supporters and media.

Themed “Kung Fu Quest”, this year’s contest requires each team’s two robots to cooperate to forge Chinese weapons, collect kung fu scrolls, and demonstrate precision and tactics in strategic face-offs that merge traditional martial arts philosophy with advanced automation.

This year’s contest features 18 awards, including the Grand Prix, 1st runner-up, 2nd runner-ups, and the ABU Robocon award.

The event is co-organized by Radio Television Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP). Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po officiated the opening ceremony alongside Director of Broadcasting Angelina Kwan Yuen-yee, HKSTP chairman Cordelia Chung and ABU Secretary-General Ahmed Nadeem. 

The ceremony also included a special guest performance by Unitree Robotics, previously featured on the CMG Spring Festival Gala. 

The competition is broadcast live on RTHK TV Channel 31 and RTHK’s YouTube channel, and streamed globally via ABU member networks. 

Indonesia is set to host the next edition of the competition, with the handover ceremony taking place between the local organizers and the Indonesian representative, Ihwan Susila.

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𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗔𝗽𝗽 ↓