RoboRoarZ, Singapore’s largest reconfigurable robotics competition, went regional for the first time.

Jointly organised by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025 marked a significant milestone in expanding technology-driven education beyond Singapore.

More significantly, it was also the only robotics competition in the world to involve “live” solutioning, which meant that participants were not able to prepare for the competition in advance, unlike most such competitions.

Assoc Prof Mohan Elara Rajesh, SUTD’s Engineering Product Development Pillar and Chair of RoboRoarZ Singapore said that they’re excited to partner with APU to bring RoboRoarZ across the causeway for its first-ever regional edition.

“More than just a competition, RoboRoarZ challenges students to think and respond to problems in real time.

“We hope this approach has inspired more students to see how robotics, Design AI, and rapid prototyping can be applied to shape everyday life in meaningful ways,” he said.

On top of that, the event was made possible with the support of industry partners, including Mapletree Investments, a global real estate company headquartered in Singapore.

On supporting RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025, Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman of Mapletree Investments said that Mapletree is proud to continue its collaboration with RoboRoarZ, following its sponsorship of the Singapore edition earlier this year.

“Aligning with the education pillar of Mapletree’s Corporate Social Responsibility Framework, our support encourages innovation among youths and widens the reach of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programmes in communities where we operate.

“Together, we are nurturing the next generation of trailblazers,” he said.

Empowering the next Tech Generation

The event kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony on Saturday morning, followed by a captivating session titled “Smorphi Imaginary,” where participants were introduced to advanced robotics concepts through gamified simulations and creative interaction.

Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU emphasised that RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025 is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and the future of digital talent.

“At APU, we believe in experiential learning that equips our students and the youth of today, with the confidence, capability, and compassion to solve real-world challenges through technology,” he said.

A Showcase of Grit, Innovation, and Teamwork

Day two of the event began with an energising warm-up session, setting the stage for the main competition where participants faced off in two intensive robotics pilot and autonomous challenges.

Assoc Prof Dr Tan Chin Ike, Head of the School of Computing at APU, shared that RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025 is not just about teaching code, but it’s also about shaping the next generation of digital leaders.

“It was inspiring to witness students tackle challenges with such determination and focus.

“Additionally, through RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025, we’re nurturing problem-solvers, collaborators, and future-proof professionals who can lead the tech frontier with heart and skill,” he said.

Throughout the day, the competition hall buzzed with energy and excitement as teams demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration under pressure. 

Fostering Talent with Purpose

The event concluded with a celebratory closing ceremony on Sunday evening, recognising top-performing teams and honouring all participants for their perseverance, creativity, and passion for technology.

The closing ceremony was filled with excitement and applause as students, educators, and guests gathered to celebrate the spirit of innovation and teamwork that defined RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025.