In January of 2026, on the competitive stage of ROBOTEX ASIA, the Stepping Stones Teddy Bear Team battled through two days of high‑intensity challenges and emerged as Team Champion in the Animal Rescue Exhibition Match, earning recognition as an All-Star Team. In addition, three team members earned Third Prize in the individual finals.
This hard‑earned honor is not only a recognition of the students’ technical skills, but also a powerful affirmation of months of dedication, repeated testing, and strong teamwork.
About ROBOTEX
Founded in Estonia in 2001, ROBOTEX has grown into one of the world’s most influential robotics competitions. Since its arrival in Asia in 2016, ROBOTEX ASIA has rapidly become a key platform for robotics innovation across the region, attracting not only university teams but also an increasing number of primary and secondary school students, helping to build a complete robotics education ecosystem.
The Competition Scene
At the Animal Rescue competition site in the National Exhibition and Convention Centre (Shanghai), the air was filled with the hum of motors, the metallic scent of lithium batteries, and the voices of teams exchanging ideas.
Our “Teddy Bear” robot waited quietly in the preparation area. Despite its name, it wasn’t bear-like at all – it was a slightly wobbly LEGO-built chassis on wheels, with two old colour sensors mounted underneath as its “eyes”.
At midday that day, the Stepping Stones Teddy Bear Team skipped lunch and headed straight to the ROBOTEX ASIA Exhibition Match – Animal Rescue arena. Inside the National Exhibition and Convention Centre, the familiar exhibition space had been “upgraded” for the day – more robotic installations and robotic dog models made their debut, adding to the high-tech atmosphere and instantly capturing the attention of the children on site.
Pre-competition preparations unfolded in an orderly manner. The team quickly shifted into competition mode: one student carried out final program calibration, while two others focused on stabilizing the vehicle and cleaning the wheels, ensuring both precise movement and optimal traction on the competition field.
Animal Rescue is one of the classic events in the ROBOTEX Robotics Challenge. Based on real-world animal protection scenarios, the event recreates complex environments such as forests, beaches, and disaster zones, with various animal models placed throughout the field as rescue targets. Robots must follow pre-programmed instructions, using mechanical arms and gripping devices to transport the animals safely to designated protected zones. Each animal carries a different level of difficulty and point-value; larger marine animals present the greatest challenge, placing higher demands on structural stability, programming accuracy, and team strategy.
At 12:30 p.m., the competition officially began. The Stepping Stones Teddy Bear Team struggled in the opening stage, failing to score on their first two attempts. Under mounting pressure, the team quickly adjusted their mindset. With guidance from their instructor, they refocused their strategy on consistent scoring and minimizing errors, approaching the long, high-intensity match with patience. As the competition progressed, three of the six participating teams remained scoreless and gradually faced elimination.
When it was the Stepping Stones Teddy Bear Team’s turn, a draw placed them at the farthest blue starting zone, directly confronting the most challenging targets on the field – the rescue of four heavy orca models.
Following the start signal, the robot advanced slowly and unsteadily. “Click!” The team held their breath as the square-shaped mechanical arm descended with precision, successfully securing an orca and transporting it safely back to the starting point. The referee immediately announced the score. With this performance, the team became the only one in the exhibition match to successfully complete an orca rescue, turning the tide at a critical moment.
In the final round, the Stepping Stones Teddy Bear Team maintained their steady strategy, once again completing a successful rescue and earning valuable points. Ultimately, when their opponent drove off the field due to an operational error in the final round, the Stepping Stones Teddy Bear Team sealed the victory and claimed the win.
After the competition, the team returned to the classroom carrying not only honours, but also new reflections and goals. As their mentor reminded them, “Stay grateful. Stay humble. We will return to the ROBOTEX arena next year.” By then, lights were glowing in homes across the city. With the shared dedication of teachers and students, we believe the Stepping Stones “Teddy Bear” will continue to grow – steadily and confidently – toward an even brighter future.
