Students and robots at a Unibots UK competition

Build. Compete. Connect.

Robotics made practical, social, and accessible

Unibots UK is an inter-university autonomous robotics competition where students turn ideas into working machines, meet fellow builders, and compete in a lively national event.

Take part in Unibots Partner with us

What is Unibots?

A national challenge with a friendly starting line

Founded in 2022 by students from the University of Cambridge and the University of Southampton, Unibots gives university teams a reason to design, build, test, and improve an autonomous robot together.

Each season introduces a new arena challenge with clear rules and many possible solutions. Teams compete head-to-head, creating an energetic spectator event while learning the realities of engineering: making decisions, solving problems, and adapting when things do not go to plan.

01

Accessible by design

Manageable tasks and a clear effort-to-reward structure welcome newer builders without limiting ambitious teams.

02

Built around practice

Students apply classroom knowledge to a complete system they can test, debug, and improve themselves.

03

Powered by community

Events connect teams, societies, universities, volunteers, and industry partners from across the UK.

A student working on a robot at a Unibots event
Teams learn by building, testing, and adapting.
Students attending a talk at a Unibots event
Events create space for ideas, careers, and connections.

A shared opportunity

Why get involved?

For participants

Build skills you can show, not just describe

  • Work across mechanical design, electronics, software, and strategy
  • Develop teamwork, resilience, and practical problem-solving
  • Meet robotics students from universities across the country
  • See different approaches to the same engineering challenge

Your competition journey

Design and build Turn your team's approach into a working autonomous robot.
Test at regionals Try the arena, meet other teams, and improve your robot.
Compete at finals Join a weekend of networking, talks, practice, and competition.
Find out how to take part →

For sponsors and partners

Meet motivated students through meaningful engineering

  • Connect with emerging robotics and technology talent
  • Support accessible, hands-on engineering opportunities
  • Share expertise through talks, judging, booths, or volunteering
  • Help fund arenas, materials, prizes, and national events

Ways to support Unibots

Fund the competition Help cover arenas, venues, materials, prizes, and accessible events.
Share your expertise Give talks, judge awards, mentor teams, or offer technical insight.
Join us at events Meet students through booths, volunteering, and direct participation.
See ways to support us →

Student-led and collaborative

Organised across universities

The fifth edition of Unibots is co-hosted by the University of Cambridge Robotics Society, Heriot-Watt University Robotics Society, and Queen Mary University of London Electronics Society. Together, we are building a stronger network between robotics communities across the UK.

Cambridge University Robotics Heriot-Watt University Robotics Society Queen Mary Electronics Society

Be part of what comes next

Build a robot, back a team, or help run the room

Whether you are a student, society, university, volunteer, or industry partner, there is a place for you in Unibots.

Join the participant community Talk to the organising team