What is WORLD ROBOT OLYMPIAD?
WRO is an international robotics-based STEM challenge for young people aged 8-19 years.
It offers different categories for teams to choose from depending on age, complexity and whether they want to do task-based challenges, a research and problem-solving project or advanced robotics
Teams are small (2-3 members) so each member has to be fully involved
Adult coaches only supervise and coordinate - all the work on the entries is done by the teams
It is very accessible - teams can choose whatever robotics and coding platform they wish
Teams demonstrate what they have done in the tournament stages - they can progress from regional events to the national finals and possibly go onto international events
why should you do WRO?
It’s fun!
It is massively creative
Whether it is finding approaches to overcoming the challenges in Robomission or creating a solution in Future Innovators teams have to be imaginative
It develops technical skills
These are very much in demand by employers but could also be the tools for manifesting entrepreneurial ideas
It introduces vital employability and personal skills
These include independence, teamworking, problem-solving, project management and presentation
It gives the chance to travel and compete internationally
Teams that do well at the UK national tournaments can progress to Open Championships or the International Finals. In 2025 the International Final will be held in Singapore
world robot olympiad versus other robotics competitions… you don’t have to choose
New to robotics competitions?
If you’ve never been involved in a robotic challenge before then WRO is a great place to start, it is:
Inexpensive - you can choose any robotics platform that is suitable
Easy to get started
Suitable for young people from 8 to 19 years
Offers a range of different types of challenge depending on whether you want to do a task-based challenge or a project
Requires no expertise on the part of the adult coaches
Already doing robotics competitions?
If you have been involved in other robotics competitions using robotics systems such as LEGO or VEX then WRO is a great addition to what you already do or using the equipment that you already have:
You can use any robotics platform that is suitable
Many of the skills from other robotics competitions can be employed in WRO categories
The timing of the competition events doesn’t conflict with other competitions
the truly global robotics competition
World Robot Olympiad started in South East Asia in 2004 and the first International Final was held that year in Singapore with 12 countries. Since then it has grown and spread across the world and now is represented in almost 100 countries and the International Final is hosted by a different country each year.
Globally, WRO has high levels of participation but, as with so many things, it was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019 it had almost 30,000 teams participating. Since the pandemic the number of young people taking part is still recovering as many countries took a long time to drop their restrictions and the focus of schools was on filling education gaps from the lockdowns. In 2023 WRO was back up to around 20,000 teams.