MassRobotics opens applications for 4th annual Form and Function Robotics Challenge

MassRobotics announced its fourth annual Form and Function Robotics Challenge, in collaboration with AMD, Dassault Systèmes, Harmonic Drive, Maeden, Maxon and Mitsubishi Electric. 

Designed for university student teams, the global challenge invites participants to showcase innovative robotics projects that balance compelling design with real-world functionality.

Teams compete to showcase robotic innovations

MassRobotics said that selected teams will compete for a $10,000 grand prize, with $1,000 awards for second and third place, as well as a $1,000 Audience Choice Award.

The challenge will culminate with live, in-person demonstrations to industry leaders, investors and the broader robotics community at the Robotics Summit & Expo in Boston, May 27-28.

“AMD is committed to powering the next generation of robotics startups by delivering the right platforms that enable breakthrough innovation,” said KV Thanjavur Bhaaskar, robotics lead, AMD. “That journey begins at the source, academia, where bold ideas are first imagined and engineered.” 

MassRobotics said that the Form and Function Robotics Challenge gives students a platform to demonstrate creative approaches to a wide range of real-world problems. Submissions are evaluated on both technical execution and presentation quality, emphasizing solutions that work within realistic prototyping constraints while delivering strong form and function. 

“Mitsubishi Electric Automation is proud to support the Form and Function Robotics Challenge and our longstanding partnership with MassRobotics,” said Dr. William Nguyen, development manager at MEAU. “By providing students with access to industrial-grade PLCs, HMIs, Servos, Robotics simulation software, we’re helping bridge academic innovation with real-world automation.” 

Previous winning teams have represented leading institutions, including Northeastern University, Tufts University, Seoul National University, Harvard University, Wentworth Institute of Technology, the University of British Columbia, MIT, Indiana University Bloomington, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) and the University of Waterloo. 

“At maxon, we’re excited to back the Form and Function Robotics Challenge by providing student teams with the high‑precision motors and controllers they need to bring their concepts to life,” said Nicole Mathieu, senior ISE - mobility solutions and industrial automation at maxon. “This initiative connects classroom innovation with the performance standards of real‑world engineering.”

Applications are open now and will be accepted through February 2.