About & Competition Rules
Everything you need to know about the Robotics for Good Youth Challenge
About the Programme
Organized locally by KYIC · Global programme by AI for Good | ITU
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge is the leading UN-based global robotics championship, inviting students aged 10 to 18 to develop AI and robotics-based solutions to tackle global challenges.
The Sierra Leone National Qualifier is organized by the Kamara Yokie Innovation Center (KYIC), operating as the ITU-authorized Local Chapter Organizer. Participants design, build, and program robots to complete missions that address real-world agricultural challenges.
Global Competition
Teams from national qualifiers compete at the AI for Good Global Summit 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland — gaining international recognition.
STEM Education
Hands-on experience in engineering, programming, AI, and problem-solving. A unique entry point into STEM disciplines for the next generation.
Real-World Impact
The 2025–2026 theme focuses on Agriculture and Food Security — one of the most pressing global challenges of our time.
Competition Categories
Two age-based divisions ensure fair and appropriately challenging competition
Junior Category
Born 2012–2016 · Ages 10–14
Junior participants complete all agricultural missions with simplified scoring designed to encourage participation and learning. Mistakes do not result in point deductions — focus is on completing tasks correctly.
Tasks Include:
- ✓Planting seeds in the correct colored crop plots
- ✓Watering crops through selective irrigation
- ✓Harvesting ripe (red) fruits
- ✓Removing diseased (black) fruits from the field
Senior Category
Born 2008–2011 · Ages 15–18
Senior participants face the same missions but with a more complex scoring system that includes penalties for incorrect actions. Teams must plan strategically — getting it right matters more than speed.
Additional Complexity:
- !Penalties for misplaced seeds (-5 pts each)
- !Penalty for watering empty plots (-10 pts)
- !Penalty for wrong fruit placement (-5 to -10 pts)
- !Penalty for moving unripe green fruits (-5 pts)
The Missions
Each match lasts 2 minutes. Robots must operate fully autonomously once started.
At the top of the field there are three crop plots in different colors (orange, gray, and green), each made up of a 2×3 grid. The referee selects two of three plots as active before each match — symmetrical for both teams.
Step 1 – Planting Seeds
While the robot is inside the start zone, team members may hand it seeds. The team has 18 seeds total (6 of each size). Seeds correspond to specific plot colors:
- Small seed (20×20×20mm)→ Gray plot
- Medium seed (20×20×40mm)→ Green plot
- Large seed (25×25×20mm)→ Orange plot
Step 2 – Selective Irrigation
Once plots are sown, the robot must water ONLY those containing seeds. It opens a gate that drops two blue balls (ø40mm) to represent water. Watering an empty plot incurs a penalty in the Senior category.
Robots may move over the crop plots if needed, but should do so before planting to avoid displacing placed seeds.
Scoring System
Junior scoring rewards success only. Senior scoring adds penalties for mistakes — strategic play matters.
Junior Category (Ages 10–14)
No penalties for mistakes — encourages participation
Mission 1: Cultivation & Irrigation
| Place a seed correctly in its corresponding colored plot | +10 |
| A single seed fully within a subdivision (2×3) | 0 |
| Misplaced seed (wrong plot) | 0 |
| Correctly water a seeded plot | +30 |
| Water a plot without seeds | 0 |
Mission 2: Harvesting & Sorting
| Move a red or black fruit out of its adhesive circle | +5 |
| Place a red fruit in the "Fruits" zone | +5 |
| Place a red fruit in the "Waste" zone | 0 |
| Place a black fruit in the "Waste" zone | +10 |
| Place a black fruit in the "Fruits" zone | 0 |
| Move a green fruit out of its adhesive circle | 0 |
Senior Category (Ages 15–18)
Penalties apply — precision and strategy required
Mission 1: Cultivation & Irrigation
| Place a seed correctly in its corresponding colored plot | +5 |
| A single seed fully within a subdivision (2×3) | +10 |
| Misplaced seed (wrong plot) | -5 |
| Correctly water a seeded plot | +30 |
| Water a plot without seeds | -10 |
Mission 2: Harvesting & Sorting
| Move a red or black fruit out of its adhesive circle | +5 |
| Place a red fruit in the "Fruits" zone | +5 |
| Place a red fruit in the "Waste" zone | -5 |
| Place a black fruit in the "Waste" zone | +10 |
| Place a black fruit in the "Fruits" zone | -10 |
| Move a green fruit out of its adhesive circle | -5 |
Universal Penalties (Both Categories)
These apply equally to Junior and Senior teams
| Unauthorized interaction with robot during round | -20 |
| Manipulating the field or pieces during the round | -20 |
| Handing seeds to the robot outside the start zone | -20 |
| Robot exits the field completely | -20 |
| Robot damages field structures or pieces | Referee's assessment |
| Robot endangers the public or participants | Disqualification |
| Serious breach of the rules | Disqualification |
Competition Rules
Everything you need to know about running a legal, competitive match.
All decisions by the referee committee are final and must be respected. Contact ai@itu.int for official rulebook inquiries.