RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 Concludes in Abu Dhabi with Russian and South Korean Teams Dominating Awards

The 8th edition of RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP) 2025 concluded at Khalifa University of Science and Technology with Russian teams securing 19 awards and South Korean teams winning 15 honors, demonstrating the global reach and competitive intensity of robotics and artificial intelligence development. The event featured over 160 teams and more than 700 participants, alongside nearly 2,000 researchers, industry professionals, students, and visitors who gathered to witness AI-driven autonomous robotics challenges across eight leagues and 15 sub-leagues including soccer and rescue competitions.

At the awards ceremony, winning teams across RoboCupJunior, CoSpace, Rescue, and Humanoid leagues were recognized, with strong representation from Russia, India, South Korea, Indonesia, China, Egypt, Pakistan, Croatia, Taiwan, and the UAE. The diversity of participating nations underscores the growing global appeal of RoboCup Asia-Pacific as a platform for showcasing emerging talent in autonomous systems. Khalifa University teams demonstrated local capability by securing second and third places in the Humanoid 3-versus-3 and 4-versus-4 leagues, while two UAE teams earned distinctions across Junior and CoSpace categories.

The competition's significance extends beyond the awards, serving as a critical development platform for the UAE's robotics ecosystem. For Emirati students and researchers, events like RCAP 2025 provide hands-on exposure to cutting-edge robotics and AI, opportunities to compete and present research, and direct interaction with global experts. These experiences are essential for building local capacity in fields that are increasingly central to economic diversification and technological advancement strategies across the Gulf region.

RCAP 2025 also functioned as a collaborative platform where researchers, engineers, and students from around the world exchanged ideas, tested new technologies, and developed solutions. Organized by Khalifa University with support from the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025, the event reflected institutional commitment to advancing robotics and AI. Strategic partnerships with organizations like Mubadala as Strategic Partner and Etisalat e& as Gold Sponsor, along with support from the Abu Dhabi Convention and Exhibition Bureau, demonstrate the coordinated approach to fostering sustainable innovation in autonomous systems within the UAE.

The dominance of Russian and South Korean teams in the awards highlights the competitive landscape in robotics and AI development, with these nations demonstrating sustained investment and expertise in the field. Meanwhile, the strong showing by UAE teams indicates progress in local capability building, essential for the country's ambitions to become a leading hub for AI and robotics excellence. As autonomous systems continue to transform industries from manufacturing to transportation, events like RoboCup Asia-Pacific serve as important indicators of technological readiness and innovation capacity across different regions, with implications for future economic competitiveness and technological sovereignty.