what equipment do I need?
Hardware
WRO is a very flexible competition - you can use any suitable robotics hardware (please check with the particular competition category at Categories - WRO Association).
Providers of robotics hardware that are either suitable or do specific kits for WRO competition categories include:
VEX Robotics
Roborobo
LEGO Education
Fischertechnik
The manufacturers listed above are those currently available or soon to be available in the UK. Other manufacturers are available
UK suppliers include:
SOFTWARE
You can use any suitable software (please check with the particular competition category at Categories - WRO Association). We would normally recommend using the software associated with your choice of hardware when starting out.
competition preparation
robomission
Competition tables
To prepare you may want to get yourself a practice table. If you take part in FIRST LEGO League you can use the same table for Robomission. To make a WRO practice table the dimensions of a WRO competition mat are 2362 mm x 1143 mm. Game tables have the same size or max. +/- 5mm in each dimension. The official height of the borders of a game table is 50mm, higher borders can be used as well.
Mission brick sets
For 2025 the WRO Robomission mission brick sets, from which you build all the table top challenges are LEGO. These brick sets are used year-on-year - you do not need to buy a new set each year. (from 2026 they will be manufactured by a different supplier but will be identical).
The LEGO sets you need are WRO Brick Set #45811 and WRO Expansion Brick Set #45819
The build set for each category are at 2025 Season - WRO Association
They can be ordered from Creative Hut
Mission mats
The mats differ according to the age group - Elementary, Junior or Senior. Make sure you get the right mat for your category!
The print files are at 2025 Season - WRO Association or below
You can arrange to print your own at the best value you can and, for the purposes of practicing, you can choose the material.
For the regional, national and international tournaments the mats are of a particular specification:
“The game mat must be printed with a matt finish/overlay (without reflecting colours!). The preferred printing material is a PVC tarp with around 510 g/m² (Frontlit). The material of the game mat should not be too soft (e.g. no mesh banner material)”
If you want a competition grade mat again, you can source these yourself, or they can be ordered from Dave at Soar Valley Press Ltd. The prices are per mat and include delivery
Standard 440gsm PVC – £66.70+VAT
Premium 500gsm PVC – £77.50+VAT
PVC free – £80.20+VAT
