Organized by the Advanced Technology Exploration Community (ATEC), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, and Shanghai Innovation Institute, ATEC2026 aims to establish a "Turing Test" framework for embodied AI—pushing robots beyond the safety of controlled laboratories to demonstrate stability and intelligence in open, dynamic, and unstructured environments.
Registration is now open on the official website, inviting teams from universities, research institutions, technology companies, and independent groups worldwide.
### Defining the "Turing Test" for Robots
While many robotics competitions focus on isolated demonstrations or specific indoor scenarios, ATEC2026 is designed to answer a critical question: **Can robots truly leave the laboratory and function reliably in our complex world?**
The competition serves as a public verification framework for embodied intelligence, moving from "demonstration feasibility" to "application reliability."
To achieve this, ATEC2026 revolves around three core capabilities: - **Locomotion**: Robot movement and navigation - **Manipulation**: Object handling and task execution - **Environment Modification**: Adapting to and modifying surroundings
### Competition Structure: From Simulation to Reality
The competition follows a comprehensive framework:
**Online Qualifier (May 1 – June 30, 2026)** - Robot Hiking (legged locomotion) - Table Clean-up (tabletop manipulation) - Virtual simulation environment
**Real-World Preliminaries (September – November 2026)** - Pittsburgh (September) - Shanghai (October) - Hong Kong (November)
**Grand Final (December 2026, Hong Kong)** - Open outdoor environments with natural terrain, stairs, and unstructured obstacles
### Awards and Recognition
- Online Qualifier: $40,000 prize pool - Real-World Preliminaries: Up to $150,000 in awards - Grand Final Champion: $150,000 exclusive prize pool - Additional: Compute resource vouchers and travel allowances
**Total Prize Pool: $340,000+**
### World-Class Expert Panel
The competition is guided by: - **Chair**: Prof. Yunhui Liu, The Chinese University of Hong Kong - **Advisor**: Prof. Masayoshi Tomizuka, UC Berkeley - **Committee Members**: Leading academics from Tsinghua University, HKU, NTU, University of Victoria, and Ant Group
### Global Collaboration
Co-organized by world-renowned institutions including Tsinghua University, Peking University, Fudan University, HKUST, and Ant Group, with participation from leading embodied intelligence companies such as LimX Dynamics, DISCOVER Robotics, and AgileX Robotics.
Since 2020, ATEC has been successfully held five times, attracting nearly 5,000 teams from over 200 universities worldwide.
### Registration Information
- **Registration Period**: April 1 – May 30, 2026 (UTC+8) - **Competition Website**: https://www.atecup.com/competitions/ATEC2026 - **Eligible Robots**: Arm-equipped legged robots (humanoids, quadrupeds with manipulators, wheeled-legged platforms)