Apply to DEPLOY

Deploy is open to any team with a working robotic system capable of performing physical tasks. Whether you are a startup, university research lab, or established engineering team, if your robot can unpack, assemble, or clean, we want to see it compete.

Deploy is an opportunity to showcase your technology to a global audience. Millions of viewers will watch robots compete, bringing visibility to your team and your work that years of traditional marketing cannot match.

The Competition

What to expect when you compete

How does the competition work?

Every matchup puts two teams against each other in the same challenge, side by side. The winner advances through a single-elimination tournament bracket until one champion remains. This format creates drama, urgency, and clear outcomes. You either win and move on, or you go home. Each round features a different challenge, and as the tournament progresses, the tasks get harder.

  • Two teams compete simultaneously
  • Same challenge, same conditions
  • Single elimination bracket
  • Challenges increase in difficulty
  • Clear winners every round
  • One champion at the end

What are the challenges?

Robots compete in three challenge categories that test real-world capabilities. Each challenge is designed to evaluate different aspects of manipulation, navigation, and problem-solving in environments that mirror actual deployment scenarios.

01 Unpack

Robots receive sealed packages and must open them, identify the contents, and place each item in its designated location. This challenge tests object recognition, careful manipulation of packaging materials, grasping objects of various shapes and sizes, and spatial reasoning to determine correct placement. Items range from household goods to office supplies, and placement targets include shelves, drawers, and countertops at different heights.

02 Assemble

Robots are given parts and instructions to build or construct an item. This challenge tests fine motor dexterity, the ability to interpret and follow multi-step instructions, and precise manipulation of small components. Tasks may include assembling furniture, connecting modular pieces, or building structures from component parts. Robots must handle fasteners, align pieces correctly, and verify their work matches the target configuration.

03 Clean

Robots must restore order and cleanliness to a disordered space. This challenge tests navigation through cluttered environments, detecting objects that are out of place, and systematically completing tasks across an entire area. Robots may need to pick up scattered items and return them to proper locations, wipe surfaces, or organize materials into correct arrangements. Success requires thorough coverage of the space and attention to detail.

What type of robots can compete?

Deploy is built for humanoid robots capable of performing physical manipulation tasks in real-world environments. We are looking for robots that can navigate complex spaces, interact with everyday objects, and complete practical tasks that humans do every day. Whether your robot is designed for home assistance, warehouse operations, or general-purpose autonomy, Deploy is the stage to prove what it can do.

  • Bipedal or humanoid form factor
  • Capable of object manipulation
  • Able to operate in unstructured environments
  • Must be a physical working system
  • Able to be transported to venue
  • Safe for public demonstration

How is scoring handled?

Each challenge is a timed round. Robots earn points based on how many tasks they complete within the time limit. For example, in an unpacking challenge, each object correctly placed on its designated shelf earns one point. Failed attempts cost time but have no additional penalty. The robot that completes more tasks wins the round.

  • Timed rounds per challenge
  • Points per completed task
  • Time varies by challenge type
  • Failed attempts just cost time
  • Most tasks completed wins
  • Teleop time deducted from score

Is teleoperation allowed?

Yes, teleoperation is allowed. We recognize that full autonomy is the goal, but the current state of robotics means most systems benefit from human assistance in certain situations. Teams can "clock in" to teleoperation mode at any time during their run. The system tracks exactly how long teleop is active, and that time is deducted from your score. A few seconds of assistance is very different from thirty seconds, and the scoring reflects that.

  • Teams can clock in/out of teleop mode
  • Teleop time is tracked by the system
  • Penalty scales with duration of use
  • Fully autonomous runs have no penalty
  • Use it strategically when needed
  • Better to finish than to fail

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