HK hosts regional robotics contest

The ABU Robocon 2026, a regional robotics contest jointly organized by Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK) and the Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HKSTP), recently took place in Hong Kong. The event drew 16 university teams from 15 countries and regions, making it the Asia-Pacific region's largest university-level robotics competition.

Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized that the competition is more than a race to create the fastest or most stable robot. He stated that every attempt made during the contest contributes to the advancement of this technology. Chan highlighted that Robocon is valuable because it represents the leap from thinking to doing, rather than simply focusing on the performance of the robots.

He also pointed out the real-world engineering challenges that the teams face, such as tight deadlines, budget constraints, equipment failures, and team disagreements. Chan concluded his remarks by emphasizing the importance of these experiences in an engineer's development.

Looking ahead, Chan noted that the next frontier for artificial intelligence (AI) is embodiment. He explained that while algorithms can see, hear, and understand, they still require a physical form – a robot with which to move, reach, and grasp. Chan encouraged the competing university teams to continue imagining, getting their hands dirty, and learning from the contest.

Other notable attendees at the opening ceremony included Director of Broadcasting Angelina Kwan, HKSTP Chairman Cordelia Chung, and ABU Secretary-General Ahmed Nadeem.