HackRobo 2.0

Overview:

HACKROBO 2.0 is a 2-day national hardware hackathon that challenges undergraduate engineering students to design, build, and demonstrate innovative robotic solutions for a real-world environmental challenge. The 2026–27 edition focuses on Riverbank & River Cleaning Robots, with participants working on solutions that can operate in open water while reaching and retrieving debris accumulated along riverbanks.

The hackathon encourages teams to combine mechanical design, electronics, embedded systems, robotics, and software to develop a functional prototype addressing the given problem statement.

• Date: 10–11 October 2026
• No. of Days: 2 Days
• Duration: 36 Hours
• Members Count: 3–5 per team
• Eligibility: Undergraduate Engineering Students
• Inter-Specialization Teams: Allowed
• Mode: Offline
• Registration Fees: ₹2,000 per team
• Venue: Pillai College of Engineering, New Panvel East, Navi Mumbai

Theme / Domain: Riverbank & River Cleaning Robots

The hackathon focuses on developing robotic solutions for riverbank and river cleaning.

Conventional aquatic cleanup systems primarily target floating waste in open water, while significant amounts of plastic and other debris accumulate along muddy riverbanks above the waterline. These areas can be difficult to access using conventional cleanup vessels.

Participants are challenged to:

Design a robot that can move through open water and reach riverbank debris without getting stuck.

Teams are encouraged to explore solutions involving autonomous navigation, manual control, robotic manipulation, buoyancy, waterproofing, and stable operation near challenging shoreline conditions.

Suggested Technical Approach

Teams may explore a hybrid Autonomous Surface Vessel (ASV) incorporating:

• Dual-Mode Control: Autonomous GPS/waypoint navigation for open water with manual RC override near the shoreline.
• Articulated Arm: A 2–4 DoF robotic arm capable of retrieving debris without grounding the vessel.
• Power & Buoyancy: A stable and waterproof vessel capable of maintaining stability even when the arm is fully extended.
• Integrated Systems: Combination of mechanical, electronic, embedded, and software systems to achieve the required functionality.

Event Format

The event will be conducted over 24 hours across two days.

• Day 1: Registration, orientation, opening ceremony, hackathon commencement, mentoring, networking and jamming session.
• Day 2: Mentoring, final project submission, judging and winner announcement.
• Teams will work continuously on their prototypes during the hackathon.
• Mentors and volunteers will be available to provide technical guidance throughout the event.
• The detailed schedule is tentative and may be modified by the organizers.

Judging

Projects will be evaluated based on:

• Innovation
• Functionality
• Impact
• Presentation
• Working prototype/demonstration

A functional working prototype is strongly encouraged for the final evaluation.

Facilities & Perks

• On-campus accommodation
• Meals throughout the event
• Workspace access
• Mentorship from industry experts
• Networking opportunities
• Participation certificates
• Winner recognition
• Industry exposure
• Opportunity to build a real hardware prototype

Rules & Guidelines:

• Teams must consist of 3 to 5 members.
• Inter-specialization teams are allowed, provided all members are undergraduate engineering students from the same institution.
• Participants must work on the designated Riverbank & River Cleaning Robots domain.
• Teams are expected to develop and demonstrate a functional robotic solution to the given problem statement.
• Teams must complete and submit their project within the specified hackathon timeline.
• Teams must follow all instructions provided by the organizers and mentors.
• Only approved resources may be used during the hackathon.
• Participants must maintain fair play, discipline, and professional conduct throughout the event.
• Teams must be available for mentoring and evaluation rounds as scheduled.
• The final project must be submitted before the final judging round.
• Judges may evaluate the project based on innovation, functionality, impact, and presentation.
• Any violation of the event guidelines or engagement in unfair practices may result in disqualification.
• The event schedule is tentative and may be modified by the organizers if required.
• Decisions made by the organizing and judging committee regarding the competition will be considered final.

Prize Pool:

₹75,000

The prize pool will be distributed among the top-performing teams, along with possible special recognition awards.

Why Participate?

• Build a real-world hardware solution
• Gain hands-on experience in robotics and engineering
• Work on an environmental challenge
• Receive mentorship and technical guidance
• Network with students, mentors, and professionals
• Gain industry exposure
• Strengthen your engineering portfolio
• Earn certificates and recognition
• Experience an intensive 24-hour hardware hackathon

HACKROBO 2.0 is an opportunity to move beyond ideas and build, test, and demonstrate a real robotic solution to a real-world problem.