Al Akhawayn University is set to host the fifth edition of Aurobat, Morocco’s national robotics competition, on May 30 and 31. This year’s event will spotlight a timely and practical theme: robotics as a tool for transforming agriculture.
Aimed at middle schoolers, high school students, and university-level participants, the competition brings together young tech enthusiasts from across the country to tackle a real-world challenge—designing an autonomous agricultural robot capable of weeding a crop field under strict technical constraints. The contest is divided into two categories: Junior, for secondary school students, and Senior, for those in post-secondary education.
The task may sound simple, but it’s anything but. Teams will need to build robots that can navigate a lettuce field without damaging the plants, all while identifying and removing simulated weeds—represented by small black buttons. For Juniors, robot movement is limited to straight lines and in-place rotations. Seniors face more complexity: their robots must move in straight paths and circular arcs only, with no spinning on the spot.
The competition arena has been designed to replicate a controlled agricultural environment, complete with clearly defined borders, precise object dimensions, designated start and drop-off zones, and strict rules governing how robots can interact with the surface.
However, success isn’t measured solely by how well a robot performs. Teams, which consist of two members, will also be evaluated on how effectively they collaborate, apply their knowledge in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics), think algorithmically, and justify their design choices with logical reasoning.
Beyond the thrill of competition, Aurobat 2025 is also a platform to raise awareness about the rapid evolution of modern agriculture. The integration of robotics in farming is no longer a futuristic idea—it’s an emerging reality. With precision agriculture gaining traction, digital tools and autonomous systems are becoming critical for improving efficiency while conserving resources. These innovations are reshaping the agricultural landscape, making it smarter, more sustainable, and strategically advanced.
Through this initiative, Al Akhawayn University is encouraging young minds to imagine themselves as active players in this transformation—where research, creativity, and practical problem-solving intersect to shape the future of farming.
