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.

Outside the competition floor, partner groups also showcased robotics technology. One of the main attractions was C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions’ “Bakal” robot, which stands at around five feet tall. With light-up eyes, visible gear joints, and remote-controlled movements that allow it to walk and raise its arms, Bakal quickly became a favorite photo subject among participants and guests.

Across the DLSMHSI campus, the Learning Commons building hosted research presentations, mostly from senior high school students nationwide. Many of these projects had already won at division- and regional-level science fairs, with some also previously presented internationally, such as in Singapore and Taiwan. Research entries were grouped into medical- and agriculture-allied robotics, covering a wide range of applications.

Among the many impressive presentations, a few stood out. In the medical category, students from Batangas State University — The NEU Integrated School presented "Sylax," a transformable robotic system designed to support children with cerebral palsy. Sylax operates in two modes: an exoskeleton mode that assists walking, posture, and muscle strength development using servo-driven joints, and a wheelchair mode that provides mobility when the user needs to rest.

In the agriculture category, Cavite Science Integrated School introduced "Robo Pleuro," a free-roaming robot designed to improve crop health by neutralizing pH levels in polluted farm soil water. Using sensors to measure pH, moisture, and ultrasonic data, the robot applies natural enzymes derived from the mucus lining of local oyster mushrooms. Test runs have shown an impressive 100 percent success rate across all measured areas, including sensing, navigation, and data transmission.

Innovation was not limited by age. Hugo Tan, a sixth-grader, and his sister Julia Tan, a third-grader, both from De La Salle Zobel, were among the youngest presenters at the tournament. The siblings introduced P.A.L.A.Y., an ESP32-based smart weather system designed to protect rice grains during post-harvest drying. Their system monitors weather conditions through sensors and automatically activates a wind and rain shield when adverse conditions are detected. The pair hopes their technology can one day be patented and adapted for large-scale use to help reduce rice waste and improve food security for Filipino families.

The RoboSports Tournament 2026 highlighted more than just technical skills and programming knowledge. Across the competition floor and presentation hall, these young minds demonstrated how technology can be shaped by empathy, creativity, and purpose. Their works reflect innovation and the shared hope that robotics can help build a better future.