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2026 GRG Mobile Robotics IV (MR4) Rules - Original English Version

[!IMPORTANT]
This is the exact verbatim original English rulebook as provided by the official Global Robotics Games.

1. INTRODUCTION

The 2026 Mobile Robotics IV challenge, Mission Meals, is deeply rooted in the global mission to realize the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #2, which aims to achieve Zero Hunger. This goal is a universal call to action to end hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture across all nations. While traditional efforts often focus solely on the production of more food, this challenge highlights that true food security is impossible without addressing the systemic inefficiencies in how we consume and manage our existing resources. Poverty and hunger remain intertwined global challenges, often exacerbated by a lack of access to basic necessities and the infrastructure required to manage resources effectively. In many modern urban environments, a paradoxical situation exists where millions of people face chronic food insecurity despite the presence of a vast surplus of organic materials and bio-waste. By reimagining this waste [1] not as a burden but as a vital resource, we can develop innovative solutions to bridge the gap between waste and want. The Mission Meals challenge focuses on the collection and conversion of organic bio-waste into nutrient-rich foundations for urban farming initiatives. This process creates a sustainable circular economy [2] that can stabilize local food supplies, particularly for impoverished communities where access to fresh, nutritious food is often limited. This year's competition encourages participants to apply advanced robotics and engineering skills to tackle these critical issues of resource recovery and food stability. Each specific task within the challenge represents a real-world scenario where autonomous technology can make a meaningful, positive difference in the lives of vulnerable populations. By deploying robots to handle the logistics of waste management, we simulate a future where technology assists communities in overcoming barriers to growth and equity.

The challenge tasks the robot with serving as an autonomous recovery and processing unit, responsible for the audit, purification, and fortification of organic materials. Through these actions, students demonstrate how robotics can be used to facilitate the distribution of essential needs and support the livelihoods of those in need. By aligning their technical innovations with the vision of SDG #2, participants learn about the broader social and economic impacts of their work, empowering them to become problem-solvers who contribute to a future where technology helps create opportunity and sustainable communities for everyone.

References: [1] https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/speech/reducing-food-waste-multi-purpose-solution-climate-and-economic-health [2] https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/topics/circular-economy-introduction/overview

2. GUIDE TO READING THE CHALLENGE DOCUMENT

Here is a guide that you can follow to understand how the robot-game's document has been organized. Step 1: Read the Introduction. This gives you an outline of the situation in the world today based on the theme. Step 2: Glance through the Game Field. This is the playfield on which your robot will run. It shows you the placement of the missions. Importantly, note that the playfield is oriented with directions of the compass. There is a North, South, East and West. For E.G. The Start Area is in the west. Step 3: Understand the missions. As you go through the missions, refer to the game field. Some missions are static, whereas some are movable mission props. Importantly, know the scores you get for each mission and understand the scoring criteria carefully. Step 4: Read the Rules for the do’s and dont’s. There are times when you can touch your robot, robot-equipment and and times when you cannot. Understand them well. That’s it! This was a simple guide to get you started in your Global Robotics Games journey. HAVE FUN READING AND CODING!

3. GAME FIELD

3.1 Orientation of the playfield

The 2026 playfield is a complex logistical landscape featuring several distinct operational areas and functional zones. To ensure navigational precision and clear communication between teams and referees, these areas are differentiated with respect to a standard compass orientation. This system mirrors the methodology used in nautical charts and topographical maps, where a compass rose is traditionally utilized to help operators orient themselves against specific landmarks. While a physical compass rose is not printed directly on the mat surface, teams must orient their strategic planning by assuming a central compass exists in the geographical center of the playfield. This orientation is critical for programming autonomous movements and understanding the relative positioning of the mission objectives. The playfield is oriented using a central compass:

Game Field

3.2 Start Area and Loading Bay

Start Area There is only one start area. Before the start of the run, the robot must fit completely in the start area. The Start Area is considered to be a volumetric box of size 250mm X 250mm X 250mm. The surrounding line is not included in the start area. Cables must be included in these dimensions. After the Robot has started, the dimensions of the robot are not restricted.

After the match begins, the Start Area becomes the Loading Bay. The Loading Bay is a 2-dimensional space on the playfield. Which means that only what is touching inside the Loading Bay will be considered and not what is hovering above it. In this space, teams are allowed to touch their robot, robot-equipment and some of the playfield elements. Specific rules regarding what is allowed or not allowed in this space is mentioned in the Sub-Category Game Rules section below.

4. GAME OBJECTS, POSITIONING, RANDOMISATION

The following table:

MISSION PROPS POSITION AND NOTES
Large Cubes X 8 There are 4 colours. Pink, Green, Yellow and White. (these images are only a representation of the cubes)
Small Cubes (16) 4 x Purple, 4 x Yellow, 4 x Orange, 4 x Red. Start on the robot (these images are only a representation of the cubes)
AI cards There are eight AI cards. They represent the number 1,2,3 and 4. And A,B,C, and D. *Final design is subject to change. These images can be printed by the team. Refer to the A4 sheet in the course.

Note: Images provided in the challenge document are for representation. Final mission prop designs and AI card visuals are subject to the official kit and course updates.

Game Objects

5. ROBOT MISSIONS

"The following missions represent the journey of organic waste from urban collection to high-value nutrient recovery, Mission Meals. Scoring is based strictly on the Final State of the field when the 120-second match ends or when the team signifies a stop."

The overall objective is to create an Integrated Bio-Stack through two critical recovery missions.

5.1 Mission 1: Logistical Vertical Stacking

The objective: The objective of this mission is the structural assembly of a centralized bio-waste repository within the designated Recovery Zone. This task simulates the industrial consolidation of stabilized organic matter into a singular, high-density vertical tower to optimize space and processing efficiency within an urban processing facility. It is important to note that the scoring for this mission is contingent upon the structural integrity and singularity of the build. Points are awarded exclusively for Large Cubes and the accompanying small cubes, that are integrated into a single, vertical tower at the conclusion of the match.

Scoring specifications: Referees are instructed to identify and score only one tower per run; any Large Cubes that have been delivered to the Recovery Zone but remain isolated, unstacked, or part of a secondary stack will be ineligible for points and recorded with a score of zero. A secondary stack is a stack with the lowest combination of points. The referee will decide which stack in the Recovery Zone to score.

The Task: Each of the four Hubs contains a Primary Large Cube with four Small Cubes already placed on its top surface.

Large cube Corresponding Small Cubes
Green x 1 White x 4
Pink x 1 Red x 4
Blue x 1 Purple x 4
White x 1 Orange x 4

The robot must identify the Digit Card (1–4) at the Hub to determine the cube’s position in the final tower. Mandatory AI Detection: The robot must identify the Digit Card (1–4) at the Hub to determine the cube’s position in the final tower. Note: This identification must be performed exclusively through AI-based computer vision models; the use of simple color or distance sensors for card differentiation is strictly prohibited. The robot must transport these Primary Large Cubes to the Recovery Zone (East) together with the small cubes already placed on top of its surface. The robot must stack the cubes in a single vertical column: '1' at the base, '2' second layer, '3' third layer, and '4' at the summit.

SCORING REQUIREMENTS

Criteria Points
Tower Integration: Each Primary Large cube and accompanying small cubes that is correctly stacked in a single vertical column. 5 points per Large Cube and accompanying small cubes
Stacking Integrity: Additional points per cube if it is in the correct numerical position relative to the base (e.g. Blue cube is at the bottom and a number ‘1’ AI card was placed at the hub), 20 points per Large cube and accompanying small cubes

5.2 Mission 2: Nutrient Injection (onsite fortification)

Objective: To fortify a second, empty batch of waste at the Hub using specific nutrient additives carried by the robot.

The Task:

Scoring Requirements:

6. SUB-CATEGORY GAME RULES

6.1 Pre-Run

Number on die AI number card
1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 or 6 Roll again
Number on die AI letter card
1 A
2 B
3 C
4 D
5 or 6 Roll again

6.2 Start of a Match

6.3 During Robot Run

The Single Batch Rule: The robot is permitted to bring into the Start Area only one Large Cube at any one point in time. (There is no restriction on the number of small cubes allowed in the Start Area.) Referee Enforcement: If there are more than one Large Cubes in the Start Area, the referee will confiscate all but one Large Cubes at random and those large cubes will be considered out-of-play.

When the robot or robot-equipment comes to a complete stop fully within the Start Area, teams are allowed:

Teams are not allowed:

6.4 Ending of Robot Run

A robot attempt will end if:

After the robot-run, the referee will score the attempt. Teams are required to sign off on the scores on the scoring sheet; once signed, no further changes are possible. It is not allowed for a coach to join the discussion with Referees on the scoring; video or photo proofs will not be accepted. If no missions yielding positive points are solved, the run time will be set at 120 seconds.

7. Scoring

5. MISSION SCORING MATRIX

TASK DESCRIPTION POINTS SECTION MAX
5.1 Logistical Vertical Stacking
Large Cube integrated into a single vertical tower in the Recovery Zone. 5 100
Large Cube placed in the correct numerical sequence (1 at base, 4 at top). 20
5.2 Nutrient Injection
Correct color matching set of 4 Small Cubes placed on a Secondary Large Cube. 20 100
Secondary Large Cube (with correct nutrients) is completely within its Hub circle. 5
AGGREGATE MAXIMUM SCORE 200 Points

8. Scoring Interpretations

Will be added in future.