The 8th edition of RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP) 2025 successfully concluded in Abu Dhabi with teams from Russia securing 19 awards and South Korean participants winning 15 honors. Hosted by Khalifa University of Science and Technology, the event demonstrated the depth of technological innovation in autonomous systems while reinforcing Abu Dhabi's position as a leading hub for artificial intelligence and robotics development.
Over 160 teams comprising more than 700 participants competed across eight leagues and 15 sub-leagues, including soccer and rescue challenges. The competition attracted nearly 2,000 researchers, industry professionals, students, and visitors from across the globe to witness AI-driven autonomous robotics competitions. At the awards ceremony, winning teams across RoboCupJunior, CoSpace, Rescue, and Humanoid leagues were recognized, highlighting the growing international appeal of the Asia-Pacific robotics competition.
Khalifa University teams delivered strong performances, securing second and third places in the Humanoid 3-versus-3 and 4-versus-4 leagues. Two UAE teams earned distinctions across the Junior and CoSpace categories, demonstrating the country's advancing capabilities in robotics, AI, and autonomous systems. The event featured remarkable performances from students representing Russia, India, South Korea, Indonesia, China, Egypt, Pakistan, Croatia, Taiwan, and the UAE.
Events such as RCAP 2025 organized in Abu Dhabi strengthen and nurture the country's robotics ecosystem by providing Emirati students and researchers with hands-on exposure to cutting-edge robotics and AI technologies. Participants gain valuable opportunities to compete, present research, and interact directly with global experts in the field. The competition also served as a collaborative platform where researchers, engineers, and students from around the world gathered to exchange ideas, test new technologies, and develop innovative solutions.
RoboCup Asia Pacific 2025 was organized by Khalifa University with support from the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025. The event received sponsorship from Mubadala as Strategic Partner, Etisalat e& as Gold Sponsor, and Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau as Supporter, reflecting a shared commitment to advancing robotics, AI, and sustainable innovation in the UAE. This collaborative approach between academic institutions, government councils, and private sector partners demonstrates the comprehensive ecosystem required to foster technological advancement in autonomous systems.
