MassRobotics Hosts Fourth Form and Function Robotics Challenge

Ten thousand dollars for the best robotics project. That’s the prize for the 2026 Form and Function Robotics Challenge.

Published benchmarks confirm that the reporting cited below supports these details.

MassRobotics invites global university teams to showcase innovative robotics solutions, with applications open until February 2, 2026. The challenge culminates in live demonstrations at the Robotics Summit & Expo, scheduled for May 27-28, 2026, in Boston, attracting industry leaders, investors, and enthusiasts alike.

The fourth Form and Function Robotics Challenge aims to stimulate creativity among university students by addressing practical issues through innovative robotics solutions. MassRobotics emphasizes the importance of real-world functionality, evaluating submissions on both technical performance and aesthetic presentation.

MassRobotics collaborates with various partners, including Advanced Micro Devices, Dassault Systèmes, and Mitsubishi Electric, providing critical resources to participating teams. These partnerships reflect a commitment to bridging the gap between academic innovation and real-world applications in robotics.

Notable past winners include institutions like Northeastern University and MIT, highlighting the challenge's prestige and the quality of solutions produced. The participation of leading universities demonstrates the challenge's ability to attract top talent and innovative projects.

The challenge will take place on May 27-28, 2026, at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, providing a platform for live demonstrations. Selected teams will compete for various awards, with a grand prize of $10,000 encouraging excellence in design and function. With applications open until February 2026, robotics teams worldwide can prepare their entries for a shot at the top award, bridging academia and industry on a significant platform.

Focus on balancing design with functionality in real-world applications.

Judging criteria includes technical execution and presentation quality.

Key numbers

• 10,000 g (mentioned in MassRobotics opens applications for fourth Form and Function Robotics Challenge - The Robot Report)

• 120M (mentioned in Mytra closes $120M funding for pallet-storing robots - The Robot Report)

The challenge showcases the intersection of education and industry innovation in robotics.