RobotX 2026

Systems, missions and testing progress for the 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge.

Systems, missions and testing progress for the 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge.

Competition Overview

Tongji MRL is a multidisciplinary student team from Tongji University developing autonomous marine robotic systems for the 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge. Our current development spans surface and aerial platforms. The current mission focus is Mission Task 1, Mission Task 3 and Mission Task 4.

Robotic Systems

USV

Uncrewed Surface Vehicle

Role
Surface navigation and coordinated mission execution.
Current Status
Details in preparation
Key Capabilities
To be confirmed
Related Missions
Mission Task 1, Mission Task 3, Mission Task 4
UAV

Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle

Role
Aerial perception, coordination and logistics support.
Current Status
Details in preparation
Key Capabilities
To be confirmed
Related Missions
Mission Task 1, Mission Task 3, Mission Task 4

Mission Tasks

Planning

Mission Task 1 — Safe Passage

Overview

Identify lighted buoys, determine a safe entrance and exit, and autonomously navigate the USV through the buoy area while avoiding obstacles.

  • Lighted buoy identification
  • Safe entrance and exit determination
  • Autonomous USV navigation
  • Obstacle avoidance
  • UAV and USV coordination

Systems Involved

USV, UAV

Our Approach Current Progress Testing and Media

Technical approach, progress updates and verified testing media will be published as development continues.

Planning

Mission Task 3 — Coordinated Logistics

Overview

Identify the safe berthing area, autonomously dock the USV, direct water at the correct window, and support UAV payload pickup and delivery with information shared across systems.

  • Safe berthing area identification
  • Autonomous USV docking
  • Water delivery to the correct window
  • UAV payload pickup and delivery
  • Information exchange between systems

Systems Involved

USV, UAV

Our Approach Current Progress Testing and Media

Technical approach, progress updates and verified testing media will be published as development continues.

Planning

Mission Task 4 — Dynamic Incident Response

Overview

Receive a dynamic RoboCommand assignment, interrupt or adjust the current task, travel to a designated GPS area, loiter and report readiness, and then resume the original task. Advanced Tier preparation also considers response to a temporary exclusion zone.

  • Dynamic RoboCommand task reception
  • Current mission interruption or adjustment
  • Navigation to a designated GPS area
  • Loiter and readiness reporting
  • Original mission resumption
  • Advanced Tier temporary exclusion-zone response

Systems Involved

USV, UAV

Our Approach Current Progress Testing and Media

Technical approach, progress updates and verified testing media will be published as development continues.

Testing

Simulation Testing

Testing records will be published after internal verification.

Field / Water / Air Testing

Testing records will be published after internal verification.