The UIU Rescue Rover Team (URRT), operating under the Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR) at United International University (UIU) completed its first-ever participation at RoboCup Rescue League 2026, organized by the Korea Association of AI Robot Industry (KAR), in partnership with Incheon Technopark (ITP), South Korea. The competition was held on 02-06 July 2026 in Incheon, South Korea.
Competing against the world’s leading rescue robotics teams, renowned research laboratories, and industrial robotics organizations, the UIU Rescue Rover Team demonstrated exceptional technical competence and innovation. This achievement marks a significant milestone for Bangladesh in the field of autonomous rescue robotics.
In its first-ever appearance at the competition, the team achieved several notable distinctions, including 3rd place worldwide among the nine newcomer teams, 11th place in the Tracked Robot Category, and 15th place overall among 27 international teams.
The competition brought together renowned teams from Germany, Japan, Austria, the United States, South Korea, Italy, Mexico, China, Thailand, Colombia, Uruguay, and several other countries. Participation in this highly competitive international event enabled the UIU team to benchmark its technological capabilities against global standards. It also provided valuable opportunities to exchange knowledge and experiences with internationally acclaimed researchers, engineers, and industry experts while gaining practical insights into advanced rescue robotics technologies.
Adding another milestone to the team’s achievement, Nazmul Hasan Athin, a member of the UIU Rescue Rover Team, was honored to serve as a judge in the Plenary Round of the competition. Serving alongside some of the world’s leading researchers and experts in rescue robotics reflects the team’s growing technical excellence and increasing recognition within the international robotics community.
The team members stated that their primary objective was not merely to secure a high ranking but also to learn from the world’s leading rescue robotics experts, evaluate their technology against international standards, and acquire the knowledge and experience necessary to develop the next generation of intelligent rescue robots. The team also expressed its sincere gratitude to UIU for its unwavering institutional support. They extended their appreciation to their advisors, faculty members, sponsors, alumni, well-wishers, and all supporters for their continuous guidance, encouragement, and confidence throughout this remarkable journey.
The successful debut of the UIU Rescue Rover Team at the RoboCup Rescue League 2026 has opened a new chapter for the university and Bangladesh’s robotics ecosystem. The achievement is expected to contribute significantly to the advancement of robotics research, innovation, and disaster-response technologies in Bangladesh while further strengthening UIU’s growing reputation and presence in the global robotics sector.