Past Programs

RoboNation and the Office of Naval Research (ONR) have partnered with the Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) and Open Robotics (OR) to bring you Virtual RobotX (VRX).  VRX is an open-source simulation environment designed as a free tool for students to test autonomous maritime robotics solutions.

You can compete too! In the VRX Competition, robotics teams from around the world will operate their vehicle in a Gazebo-based simulation environment built by OR and the NPS. Students will have the chance to use VRX to develop innovative solutions for an Autonomous Surface Vehicle (ASV) that can beat the challenge tasks in the simulated environment.

The VRX Competition is a part of RoboNation’s advanced robotics program RobotX, however it is independent from the physical Maritime RobotX Challenge – that means you don’t have to compete in RobotX 2022 in order to compete in VRX!  The VRX Competition is designed as an affordable entry point for teams interested in building skills in maritime autonomy, learning more about simulation environments as a tool, considering competing in RobotX or all the above.

Ahoy explorers! It's time to take maritime robotics and autonomy to the next level. Let us introduce you to the Maritime RobotX Challenge.

The Maritime RobotX Challenge is an international, university-level competition designed to foster student interest in autonomous robotic systems operating in the maritime domain, with an emphasis on the science and engineering of cooperative autonomy. This competition facilitates the building of international relationships between students, academic institutions, and industry partners.

Gather your bearings and set out on this systems engineering journey where you will get the opportunity to broaden your exposure to autonomy and robotic technologies by developing a maritime system using the WAM-V surface craft manufactured by Marine Advanced Robotics.

RobotX 2022 Results!

RoboNation, in collaboration with the United States Office of Naval Research (ONR) and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group (DST) is pleased to announce that the 2022 Maritime RobotX Challenge will take place at the Sydney International Regatta Centre from November 11 – 17, 2022. Click here to keep reading the announcement.

Launched in 2017, the RobotX Interactive Forum is a biennial gathering of students, researchers, senior officials and industry leaders engaged in the development and use of autonomous maritime systems.

The event will include Research Poster Presentations, Hackathon, Tutorials, Academia/Government/Industry discussions on importance of autonomy in the maritime domain, and winners of the VRX competition.

The Virtual RobotX (VRX) competition is an international, university-level competition designed to broaden student’s exposure to autonomy and maritime robotic technologies. Student teams operate their vehicle in a Gazebo-based simulation environment built by Open Robotics and Naval Postgraduate School. Students are tasked to develop innovative solutions to ensure their virtual USV can perform prescribed tasks in this environment.

The third Maritime RobotX Challenge took place at the Sand Island Boat Launch near the Honolulu Community College’s (HonCC) Marine Education and Training Center. With 15 teams representing Asia, Australia and the United States of America.

The second Maritime RobotX Challenge took place at the Sand Island Boat Launch near the Honolulu Community College’s (HonCC) Marine Education and Training Center. With 13 teams representing Australia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Singapore and the United States of America.

The first Maritime RobotX Challenge took place at the Marina Bay in Singapore. With 15 teams representing Australia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and the United States of America.