Robocup tournament at H-BRS: the German championship in sight

20170218_fbinf_robocup-junior_kw_bild0356.png (DE)

On Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February 2024, small robots will show what they can do at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS). The university is hosting a Robocup Junior competition. School teams from NRW will compete against each other in various disciplines with their self-built mobile robots. The best teams will qualify for the German Championships in Cologne in March. Spectators are welcome. Admission is free.

20170218_fbinf_robocup-junior_kw_bild0260.png (DE)

The self-built robots navigate through a course with the help of their sensors. Photo: Kira Waszinski

Playing football, finding their way through a maze, carrying out simulated rescue missions: At the Robocup Junior competition, the self-built little robots are required to demonstrate various skills. The pupils therefore compete against each other in several disciplines at the competition on the premises of the university in Sankt Augustin. 38 teams have registered for the qualifying tournament.

The Bertolt-Brecht-Gesamtschule Bonn is represented, as is the Christophorusschule Königswinter, the Albert-Einstein-Schule in Sankt Augustin and the Heinrich-Böll-Schule in Troisdorf. Schools in Haan and Wipperfürth are also sending teams into the race. Fifth-graders have registered with their Lego-built mobile robots, as have sixth-form students with advanced constructions made from various materials. The university is expecting around 140 participants for the competitions, which start at 10 am. The award ceremony is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Sunday. The best teams will not only take home the trophies made by students using 3D printing, but also a ticket to the German Championships in Kassel in March. The most successful teams will also have the chance to take part in the European Championships in Vienna in June and the World Championships.

Since 2010, the university has hosted qualifying tournaments for the Robocup Junior Championships. Professor Irene Rothe is responsible for the organisation and is supported by numerous volunteers from the university. The university's robotics team has been very successful in the adult league for years. in 2025, the b-it-bots team became world champions in the working robot league at the Robocup 2025 in Brazil.

Robocup Junior

The "Robocup Junior" is the largest international robotics competition. It was launched with the idea of making the subjects of maths, computer science, natural sciences and technology more popular. Pupils between the ages of ten and 19 can take part with their self-built robots. The rules provide for three disciplines that focus on different subject areas: On Stage, Rescue and Soccer. The final of the Robocup Junior Championship will take place from 10 to 14 March 2026 in the exhibition halls in Cologne. The German junior teams must first qualify for participation in one of eight qualifying tournaments.