The Faculty of Engineering, Science and Technology (FEST) at The Maldives National University (MNU) successfully hosted the Robotics Hackathon 2026: Autonomous Maze Solving Challenge from 18 June to 20 June 2026, bringing together students to showcase innovation, creativity, and technical excellence in robotics and engineering.
Organized under the Electronics for Robotics course, the three-day hackathon engaged 12 students in an intensive hands-on challenge requiring participants to design, build, program, test, and demonstrate autonomous robots capable of navigating a maze without human intervention.
The event provided students with an opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in robotics, electronics, programming, and engineering design to a practical and real-world challenge. Throughout the hackathon, participants worked collaboratively to develop innovative solutions, refine robot designs, and address technical challenges while strengthening their problem-solving, teamwork, and critical-thinking abilities.
The Autonomous Maze Solving Challenge required participants to effectively integrate both hardware and software systems, demonstrating their understanding of sensors, control systems, embedded programming, and autonomous navigation technologies. The competition encouraged experiential learning and offered students valuable exposure to emerging technological fields and industry-relevant applications.
The hackathon concluded with a final competition and judging session where participants presented their completed robots and competed to achieve the most efficient maze navigation performance. The event highlighted students’ technical capabilities, innovation, and commitment while reinforcing faculties dedication to promoting practical learning experiences and fostering technological advancement.
Through initiatives such as the Robotics Hackathon, The Maldives National University remains committed to creating opportunities for students to develop skills for the evolving future and contribute to innovation in the fields of science, technology, and engineering.
