DASMARIÑAS, Cavite — In an increasingly digital world, robotics is no longer confined to the professional field. It is now tied to creativity and innovation across all ages, especially in education. On 31 January and 1 February 2026, the De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute (DLSMHSI) hosted the Robosports Tournament 2026, drawing more than 900 participants from 55 institutions across five regions in the Philippines.

The tournament featured two age categories: Elementary, for grade school students, and Open Age, which included high school, college students, and adults. Events were divided into two main components: the robotics sports competitions and the research presentations.

The sports competitions included BoxBot Auto, Line Racing MBot, and Line Racing Advanced. In BoxBot Auto, two sensor-equipped robots are placed inside a small, slightly elevated square arena on the floor. The objective is for one robot to detect, outmaneuver, and push its opponent out of the arena without crossing the white boundary. Matches are fast-paced and intense, often drawing loud cheers from spectators rooting for their chosen robot.

Line Racing MBot and Line Racing Advanced require robots to navigate a maze using color sensors. The challenge goes beyond simply following a line. Participants program their robots to remember routes, avoid dead ends, and make real-time decisions through sharp turns, false paths, and tight corners.

Between matches, students could be seen programming, troubleshooting, and refining their machines. Members of the Robotics Club of Cavite National High School worked on improving the reaction time and sensor accuracy of their 3-kilogram BoxBot robot. Meanwhile, students from Tabaco National High School created a makeshift practice course using masking tape on the floor, maneuvering their robots through the path using mobile phone controls while waiting for their turn to compete.