MCC students represented Hungary at this year’s FIRST Global Challenge, one of the world’s largest international youth robotics competitions, held in Incheon, South Korea. The event brought together teams from 185 countries to compete in robotics, programming, and strategic problem-solving.
The competition has a unique format: teams from three different countries form an alliance in each match. Success therefore depends not only on the robots’ performance but also on effective communication, adaptability, and international cooperation.
The Hungarian team faced a technical challenge even before the competition began, when one of the robot’s main control units malfunctioned. The students had to partially dismantle the robot, replace its electronics, and reinstall the software. Thanks to their quick response, they managed to prepare it in time for the first matches.
The team made a strong start, scoring 523 points in their opening match alongside Mexico and Uzbekistan. This was the highest score in the competition at that point, putting the alliance at the top of the rankings. Hungary finished the first day in eighth place and was in 18th place at the end of the second day. After a closely contested final round, the team finished 39th out of 185 participating countries.
The Hungarian students also supported other teams throughout the competition. They helped with robot repairs and improvements, including building a climbing mechanism for the Norwegian team. Their contribution reflected the collaborative spirit of FIRST Global Challenge, where cooperation is just as important as competition.
The team’s participation followed several months of preparation with the professional support of Robotics Infinity Nonprofit Ltd. During this time, students developed their programming, robotics, and strategic skills while growing into a close-knit team. They returned from Incheon with valuable experience and new international friendships, and are already looking ahead to their next robotics competitions.
