Global robotics competition to feature teams from Antigua and Barbuda and Bhutan

Students from Antigua and Barbuda and Bhutan are preparing to compete in the 2026 FIRST Global Challenge, an international robotics competition held in Incheon, South Korea, from October 7 to 10. The event features participants from over 190 countries.

Under the theme ‘Igniting Innovation’, this year’s challenge focuses on using technology to address wildfire prevention, mitigation, and recovery. Teams will operate robots to complete simulated tasks designed to contain fires and protect specific areas while collaborating with international allies.

In Antigua and Barbuda, the nation’s first all-girls robotics team presented their robot, HAWK, to Prime Minister Gaston Browne and the Cabinet. The team, consisting of Hannah Masson, Audella-Mae James, Gyanna Ryan, Sidea Ambrose, and Neola Noronha, received support from the Board of Education, which contributed EC$30,000 toward their participation.

Representing Bhutan, a team of four students has been training in Pangbisa to prepare for their fourth appearance at the global event. The Bhutanese participants are focusing on technical programming and collaborative problem-solving to meet the competition's specific technical requirements.