# Introduction & Table of Contents ## Welcome to the frontlines of innovation at the 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge! This Team Handbook contains the information that teams will need to compete at the 2026 Maritime RobotX Challenge. It includes task descriptions, rules and requirements, specifications and other guidance. This document will provide teams with a comprehensive understanding of what will be necessary to compete effectively. ## What is RobotX? The Maritime RobotX Challenge is a biennial international competition hosted by RoboNation and was established to foster student interest in robotic and autonomous systems. The 2026 edition of the Maritime RobotX Challenge represents a significant shift in emphasis and level of challenge for the competition. There is a greater emphasis on cooperative, multi-domain autonomous operation of teams of uncrewed systems. All mission elements require cooperation between systems in more than one maritime domain for successful execution. While the initial mission elements will be demonstrated individually during early rounds, all of the demonstrated capabilities will be needed to complete the full mission in the finals rounds. ## Why RobotX? The goal of the Maritime RobotX Challenge is to expand the community of researchers and innovators capable of substantive contributions to the emerging field of autonomous and uncrewed, multi-domain vehicles. The nominal winners are teams that score the most points. The real winners are participants who learn lasting lessons about working collaboratively to create an autonomous System of Systems (SoS) to accomplish a challenging mission in a complex environment. ## Why compete in RobotX? Participants of the Maritime RobotX Challenge can expect to: * Increase technical proficiency; * Establish valuable professional connections; and * Enjoy the satisfaction of learning and collaborating while competing at a world-class level. The Maritime RobotX Challenge builds upon the successful implementation of other student robotics competitions, such as RoboBoat (Autonomous Surface Vehicle), RoboSub (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), and SUAS (Student Uncrewed Aerial Systems). Teams are encouraged to learn from their participation in competitions such as these and apply their skills to the more advanced challenges presented in RobotX. *Maritime autonomous technology is critical to monitoring and healing our oceans, as well as applying that technology when dealing with post-disaster maritime scenarios. Developing the human resource to expand this effort is even more essential.* ## **RobotX Organizers** The RobotX Program is brought to you by RoboNation, Inc. and the U.S. Office of Naval Research.
## Table of Contents
Section 1: Competition Overview [**1.1 Dates and Venue**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-1-competition-overview#id-1.1-dates-and-venue) [**1.2 Competition Structure**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-1-competition-overview#id-1.2-competition-structure) [**1.3 Competition Theme: Storm Response**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-1-competition-overview#id-1.3-competition-theme-storm-response) [**1.4 Eligibility**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-1-competition-overview#id-1.4-eligibility) [**1.5 Competition Schedule and Timeline**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-1-competition-overview#id-1.5-competition-schedule-and-timeline) [**1.6 Points of Contact**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-1-competition-overview#id-1.6-points-of-contact) [**1.7 RoboNation Code of Conduct**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-1-competition-overview#id-1.7-robonation-code-of-conduct)
Section 2: Design Documentation [**2.1 Technical Design Report**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-2-design-documentation/2.1-technical-design-report-tdr) [**2.2 Team Website**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-2-design-documentation/2.2-team-website) [**2.3 Team Introduction Video**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-2-design-documentation/2.3-team-introduction-video) [**2.4 Design Strategy Presentation**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-2-design-documentation/2.4-design-strategy-presentation) [**2.5 System Assessment**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-2-design-documentation/2.5-system-assessment)
Section 3: Autonomy Challenge [**3.1 Proof of Readiness**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-3-autonomy-challenge/3.1-proof-of-readiness) [**3.2 Mandatory Activities**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-3-autonomy-challenge/3.2-mandatory-activities) [**3.3 Mission Task Descriptions**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-3-autonomy-challenge/3.3-mission-task-descriptions) [**3.4 Communications Protocol**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-3-autonomy-challenge/3.4-communications-protocol) **3.5 Scoring Rounds *****(Coming Soon)***
Section 4: Scoring & Awards (Coming Soon) **4.1 Design Documentation Scoring *****(Coming Soon)*** **4.2 Autonomy Challenge Scoring *****(Coming Soon)*** **4.3 Awards *****(Coming Soon)***
Section 5: Rules & Requirements [**5.1 Team Rules and Requirements**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-5-rules-and-requirements/5.1-team-rules-and-requirements) [**5.2 Safety Requirements**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-5-rules-and-requirements/5.2-safety-requirements) [**5.3 System Requirements**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-5-rules-and-requirements/5.3-system-requirements)
Section 6: How to Compete [**6.1 Registration**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-6-how-to-compete/6.1-registration) [**6.2 Event Submissions**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-6-how-to-compete/6.2-event-submissions) [**6.3 Design Documentation Submissions**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-6-how-to-compete/6.3-design-documentation-submissions) [**6.4 Event Expectations**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-6-how-to-compete/6.4-event-expectations) [**6.5 Team Communications**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-6-how-to-compete/6.5-team-communications) [**6.6 Data Sharing**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-6-how-to-compete/6.6-data-sharing)
Section 7: Glossary & Acronyms [**7. Glossary & Acronyms**](https://robonation.gitbook.io/robotx-2026-team-handbook/section-7-glossary-and-acronyms#toc136509514)