700 Participants from 22 Countries Join RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi: Excitement is in the air as more than 700 participants from 22 countries take part in the 8th RoboCup Asia-Pacific (RCAP) 2025, held at the ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi. The event runs until November 15 under the theme AI and Robotics for a Sustainable Future.

Organized by Khalifa University of Science and Technology, this year’s competition is part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week 2025, held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Special Affairs. Every day, over 1,000 visitors are expected to attend and enjoy the amazing displays of robotic innovation.

Dr. Hamad Karki, General Chair of RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 and Associate Professor at Khalifa University, said that the large number of participants shows how Abu Dhabi has become a global hub for robotics and artificial intelligence (AI). He explained that the city’s strong government support, big investments, and teamwork between universities and industries help make such innovation possible.

RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 includes eight main leagues and 15 sub-leagues, featuring robot soccer and rescue challenges. More than 170 teams are competing this year. Countries with strong participation include Singapore with 22 teams, South Korea with 20, India with 19, Egypt and Russia with 18 each, and China with 12. The UAE is proudly represented by 10 local teams made up of 44 students from different schools and universities.

From small robots to large ones, the teams are building machines that can move, think, and make decisions on their own. Visitors are enjoying live demonstrations of how these robots play football, complete rescue missions, and solve problems using AI.

Experts believe that many of the technologies tested during this competition will later be used in real life — from smart cities to healthcare and education. RoboCup Asia-Pacific 2025 is not only a contest but also a platform for learning, sharing ideas, and building the future of robotics.