Registration is open for the international AI and robotics hackathon “RobotHack 2026

With the motto “Humans. Robots. Together.”, the international AI and robotics hackathon “RobotHack 2026” will take place from 24 to 28 November. The main activities from 24 to 27 November will take place online on weekday evenings, while the final day on 28 November will be held in person in Riga. Participation is free, and registration is open until 19 November.

The hackathon opens on 24 November at the TSI University of Applied Sciences in Riga, with a livestream also available. The final day on 28 November will take place at Riga Technical University (RTU), where finalists will present their solutions to the jury in person. Participants will compete for an €8,000 prize fund, including €3,000 in cash prizes and valuable partner awards.

Participants can develop their own idea within one of three main themes (logistics, humans and robots, smart cities) or take on one of the partner challenges. The challenges offered by Riga City Municipality, “IN3 Group”, “Latvijas Pasts”, “AI Studio” and the Latvian IT Cluster cover a range of topics: the use of service robots in companies and public spaces, detecting hazardous sidewalk sections, and automating warehouse processes.

A 2025 World Economic Forum report shows that 86% of surveyed employers expect artificial intelligence and information processing technologies to significantly transform their business by 2030, while 58% expect such an impact from robotics and automation.

“RobotHack provides an open environment for innovation and expert support to help participants turn their ideas into prototypes in a short time and tackle real challenges. Our experience shows that interdisciplinary teams that combine technical knowledge, creativity, and business skills achieve the best results. That is why prior knowledge of robotics isn't required for every participant. We invite students, programmers, designers, engineers and entrepreneurs to take part,” says Kārlis Skuja, head of the open innovation community “WindHackers”, the organiser of the hackathon.

You can apply with a ready-made team or individually. Before the hackathon, on 19 November at 18:00, an online matchmaking and onboarding session will take place, where participants can find teammates and get to know the challenges prepared by partners. Teams of two to six members are invited to take part, at least one of whom is studying at an accredited higher education institution in the EU. All participants must be at least 18 years old. Selected teams will be announced on 20 November. The hackathon will be held in English.

Solutions can be software, algorithms, computer vision models, digital simulations, or hardware prototypes. During the hackathon, participants can attend masterclasses, while experts and mentors will advise teams on robotics, artificial intelligence, design and business. In addition to the hackathon programme, on 26 November, as part of the “Hack the Lab” activity, participants will have the opportunity to visit partner laboratories in person, explore technologies and meet experts.

The event is also supported by a wide circle of university and industry partners: Riga Technical University (RTU), the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI), the Institute of Electronics and Computer Science (EDI), LMT, “Lovable”, the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies (LBTU), Riga Business School (RBS), Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (“VILNIUS TECH”), Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU), Tallinn University of Technology (“TalTech”), the University of Latvia (LU), the University of Tartu, LatBAN, and the Artificial Intelligence Centre.

The event is co-funded by the European Union under the project “Riga Technical University Innovation Grants for Students” (No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/006) and by Riga City Municipality. The event is organised by the open innovation community “WindHackers”. It aims to promote interdisciplinary cooperation and support the development of technology-based business ideas.

For more information and to register: www.robothack.co.

Complete teams must be registered by 19 November at 23:00 Riga time.

Contact information:

Kārlis Skuja, Head of “WindHackers”

Phone: +371 29 345 995

E-mail: robothack@windhackers.com