Dozens of younger innovators put their robotics skills to the check at the Robotech Cup 2026, highlighting scholar expertise and the rising curiosity in science and expertise in Region 1.
The competitors, held on February 18 in Dagupan City, fashioned a part of the Regional Science, Technology, and Innovation Week organized by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Region 1.
Students competed in two classes: Search and Rescue, and Bin Collection, the place robots needed to full impediment programs and assigned duties
Out of 40 registered groups, solely 25 superior to the semi-final spherical.
“Syempre, i-showcase kung gaano kagaling yung ating mga estudyante sa public or sa private schools addressing real-world problems,” Engr. Jordan Abad, program director of Robotech Cup 2026, mentioned.
Beyond the competition, organizers mentioned the occasion served as a platform for teamwork and innovation.
“Yung experience po is super promising. Na-explore din namin yung nature ng robotics po and sa competition naman po, na-explore din namin kung paano nakaka-implicate yung robotics sa real-world situation,” Khiel Stefan Talavera, a Grade 10 scholar, mentioned.
Abad mentioned exposing college students to robotics at a younger age may form their future careers.
“We start them young, then they’re going to reach their career or college level makikita nila na may potential pala. And the emerging AI and robotics, pwede silang pumunta doon,” he mentioned.
Meanwhile, DOST formally opened two new Innovation Hubs (iHubs) in faculties in Dagupan City and Lingayen, Pangasinan. The hubs intention to function facilities for creating new concepts, analysis, and expertise, particularly for native inventors, college students, and entrepreneurs within the province.