This October, the international robotics community will turn its attention to Incheon, South Korea, where young innovators from around the world will gather for the FIRST Global Challenge. Hungary will be represented by five MCC students, who have spent months preparing to compete with their own robot.
FIRST Global Challenge is one of the world’s leading robotics competitions for young people, bringing together engineering knowledge, creativity, strategic thinking, communication, and teamwork. Each year, participants tackle a global challenge that requires them to apply their technical skills to a real-world issue.
The Hungarian team began preparing in the spring. During preliminary workshops in May, students learned the fundamentals of robot building and programming while developing their teamwork and coordination skills. A selection process at the end of the month then identified students for key roles, including builders, programmers, communicators, and drivers, leading to the formation of the team that will represent Hungary in Incheon.
Over the summer, students spent two intensive weeks designing, building, and programming their robot. The team continuously tested their ideas, addressed technical challenges, and refined the robot based on the results. Since September, weekends have been dedicated to further testing, programming, and developing their competition strategy, with the goal of arriving in Incheon as a well-prepared and closely coordinated team.
This year’s FIRST Global Challenge is built around the theme “Igniting Innovation” and focuses on preventing and mitigating the effects of wildfires, as well as supporting recovery in their aftermath. The challenge requires participants to apply their engineering and technological knowledge to a complex global issue.
Beyond the competition itself, the event provides an opportunity for students from different countries to collaborate, exchange ideas, and build international connections. For the MCC team, competing in Incheon is both a major professional challenge and an opportunity to put their skills to the test on the global stage.
The 2026 Hungarian team consists of MCC students Bianka Horváth, Hanga Deák, Eszter Jázmin Rácz, Nóra Bullás, and Balázs Török. The preparation is supported by Robotics Infinity Nonprofit Kft. specialists Balázs Koren, Kornél Jámbor, and Sándor Bácsi within the professional environment of MCC. Botond Dékány, member of Hungary’s 2025 FGC team, is also supporting the students as a mentor, bringing his experience from last year’s competition to this year’s preparation.
