[ THE WHY ]
BUILD THE
UNBUILT.
UNBUILT.
A real problem. A curious team.
An idea worth testing.
An idea worth testing.
RobotHack brings together students, developers, engineers, designers and entrepreneurs to build practical solutions for logistics, human-robot collaboration and smart cities.
Choose a theme or a partner challenge, bring your skills and work with mentors to take your idea from a question to a demonstrable solution.
Software, simulation or hardware.
Choose the approach that proves your idea.
[ CHOOSE YOUR CHALLENGE ]
Develop your own idea within one of our three focus themes (Logistics, Humans + Robots or Smart Cities), or choose one of our partner challenges.
REAL PROBLEMS.
YOUR APPROACH.
YOUR APPROACH.
Logistics
Move goods smarter. Improve warehouses, delivery and supply chains with robotics, automation, AI or data.
Explore the challengeHumans + Robots
Help people and robots work better together. Build safer workplaces, assistive technologies and clearer interactions.
Explore the challengeSmart cities
Make urban systems more useful. Explore mobility, infrastructure, public services and resource management.
Explore the challengePartner challenges
Work on a real problem defined by a partner. Bring a fresh perspective and build a prototype around a concrete brief.
Explore partner challenges[ REAL PROBLEMS TO SOLVE ]
PARTNER
CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES
Logistics
Move goods smarter. Improve warehouses, delivery and supply chains with robotics, automation, AI or data.
Where do delays, repetitive tasks or costly decisions slow things down? Prototype an approach that makes a measurable difference.
Possible directions: warehouse workflows, delivery processes and movement of goods.
Where do delays, repetitive tasks or costly decisions slow things down? Prototype an approach that makes a measurable difference.
Possible directions: warehouse workflows, delivery processes and movement of goods.
Humans and Robots
Help people and robots work better together. Build safer workplaces, assistive technologies and clearer interactions.
Start with the person using the system. Demonstrate how your solution makes an interaction safer, easier or more effective.
Possible directions: assistance, collaboration and human - robot interaction.
Start with the person using the system. Demonstrate how your solution makes an interaction safer, easier or more effective.
Possible directions: assistance, collaboration and human - robot interaction.
Smart cities
Make urban systems more useful. Explore mobility, infrastructure, public services and resource management.
Choose a specific urban problem and its users. Show how AI, robotics or connected technologies could support a practical solution.
Possible directions: monitoring, mobility and better use of resources.
Choose a specific urban problem and its users. Show how AI, robotics or connected technologies could support a practical solution.
Possible directions: monitoring, mobility and better use of resources.
[ WHO CAN JOIN ]
DIFFERENT SKILLS.
ONE TEAM.
ONE TEAM.
RobotHack isn’t only for people who build robots. Strong teams combine technical, business and creative skills to turn real-world challenges into practical prototypes.
RobotHack is a team-based hackathon (2 to 6 team members).
RobotHack is a team-based hackathon (2 to 6 team members).
- Developers & EngineersCoding, software development and IT skills.
- Business &
MarketersMarket trends, business, and domain know-how. - Designers &
CreativesUser experience (UX), design and storytelling skills. - Robotics &
IoTHardware, sensors and automation skills.
[ WHAT YOU’LL GAIN ]
WHY TO
PARTICIPATE
PARTICIPATE
- BUILD FOR REAL-WORLD IMPACTTurn a challenge in logistics, human–robot collaboration or smart cities into a practical AI or robotics prototype.01
- GROW YOUR NETWORKConnect with mentors, experts, and like-minded innovators worldwide.02
- BOOST YOUR SKILLSLearn new tools, test ideas, and gain real experience.03
- SHOWCASE YOUR TALENTPitch your solution on Demo Day and get noticed.04
€8,000
Final prize fund will be announced on 24 November.
[ THE PRIZE POOL ]
[ MAKING IT POSSIBLE ]
OUR
PARTNERS
PARTNERS
Project co-funded from ERDF Project No. 1.1.1.7/1/25/A/006 “Riga Technical University Student Innovation Grant Program”
Smart Container Unloading
Unloading tightly packed shipping containers involves heavy manual work, with people operating close to forklifts and unstable loads. IN3 invites teams to explore how AI, robotics or computer vision could make unloading and repacking safer, faster and less physically demanding.
Let a Robot Assist You.
What useful job could a robot take on in a business or public space? Explore practical applications for the Booster K1 EDU robot using a simulation environment and expert guidance. Promising ideas could be developed further and showcased at AI Studio.
Show and Explain AI for Business
Many businesses are curious about AI but struggle to see where it could help in their daily work. Create an interactive demonstration that lets visitors try a practical AI application themselves, understand its value and limitations, and discover opportunities for their own organisations.
Make Fishing Gear Visible
Fishing nets can be difficult to spot, creating risks for boaters and making monitoring harder for inspectors. Riga invites teams to explore digital solutions that make deployed fishing gear visible, connect waterway users and simplify reporting of suspicious or unregistered gear.
Spot Winter Sidewalk Hazards
Snow, ice and blocked sidewalks can make everyday journeys unsafe, while municipal teams have thousands of locations to monitor. Help Riga explore how automated monitoring could detect and locate winter hazards earlier, giving maintenance services better information about where action is needed.
[ BUILD WITH SUPPORT ]
EXPERTS +
COACHES
COACHES
- Dr. Pēteris RačinskisRobotics Researcher, EDI - Institute of Electronics and Computer Science
- Nauris HorstsProduct Owner, LMT
- Kaspars MezeriņšAI Studio Director, Riga Business School
- Oskars VismanisRobotics Researcher, EDI - Institute of Electronics and Computer Science
- Lina (Marta) SarmaHead of Center, RTU HPC Center
- Marta RautenschildInvestor & Business Connector
- Kārlis SkujaCEO, WindHackers
- Marina PetrakovaMentor, Startup House Riga
- Emils KragisManaging Director at LatBAN
- Gunita (Kuļikovska) ĶiesnereKick-starter by nature
[ TIMELINE ]
FROM IDEA
TO DEMO DAY
TO DEMO DAY
Before the Hackathon
All times are in EET (UTC+2)
19 OCT
Registration Opens
Register on the hackathon platform. Bring a team, publish an idea or find a project to join.
19 NOV
18:00
Online
18:00
Online
Matchmaking + onboarding
Meet potential teammates, explore the detailed partner challenges and get familiar with the hackathon format and platform.
19 NOV
23:00
23:00
Team registration closes
Have your project registered and your 2–6-person team ready.
20 NOV
14:00
14:00
Selected teams announced
Accepted teams will be announced through the hackathon platform.
24–28 November
HACKATHON PROGRAMME
4 online build days, with a live opening at the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI) and Demo Day at Riga Technical University (RTU).
4 online build days, with a live opening at the Transport and Telecommunication Institute (TSI) and Demo Day at Riga Technical University (RTU).
24 NOV
ONSITE & ONLINE
ONSITE & ONLINE
OPENING DAY
17:00–19:00 Opening event @TSI
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
Location: TSI, Lauvas iela 2, Riga (livestream available).
25 NOV
ONLINE
ONLINE
LEARN & BUILD DAY
17:00–18:00 Masterclass: Pitch to Win!
18:00–20:00 Meet experts
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
18:00–20:00 Meet experts
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
26 NOV
ONLINE
ONLINE
LEARN & BUILD DAY
10:00–14:00 Hack the Lab *
17:00–18:00 Masterclass: Rapid Prototyping
18:00–20:00 Meet experts
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
17:00–18:00 Masterclass: Rapid Prototyping
18:00–20:00 Meet experts
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
* Hack the Lab gives you the chance to visit partner labs in person and meet with experts, though attendance is optional.
27 NOV
ONLINE
ONLINE
LEARN & BUILD DAY
18:00–20:00 Meet experts
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
20:00–22:00 Online team checkpoints
Refine and test your prototype, resolve final questions and prepare your presentation.
28 NOV
IN PERSON
IN PERSON
DEMO DAY @RTU
9:30 Final submission deadline
13:30–14:30 AI Studio visit @RTU
15:00–18:00 Pitching and award ceremony @RTU
13:30–14:30 AI Studio visit @RTU
15:00–18:00 Pitching and award ceremony @RTU
Location: RTU, Ķīpsalas iela 6A, Riga.
[ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ]
BEFORE YOU JOIN
Participation is free. Every team member must be at least 18 and an EU resident. At least one member must be fluent in English. Up to 30 teams will be accepted.
Yes. Register individually, publish an idea or explore projects on the platform. Online matchmaking is on 19 November from 18:00. Your team must have 2–6 members by 23:00 that evening.
No. Software-only and simulated prototypes are eligible. You can bring your own hardware. RTU provides tables and power for Demo Day; arrange any physical demonstration with the organisers in advance and follow venue safety requirements.
Yes, if you identify it as work in progress and explain what already exists. Evaluation focuses on work developed during the hackathon. Investor-funded and commercially available projects or products are not eligible.
Yes. It must fit Logistics, Humans + Robots or Smart Cities. You can also work on a partner challenge. Every team selects one theme or partner challenge for final evaluation.
Yes: at least one member of the team must be at RTU by 14:30 on 28 November and be ready to pitch in person.
By 9:30 on 28 November, submit an English-language demo video of up to five minutes and a project presentation. AI is allowed, but you must disclose its contribution.
Your team retains the intellectual property rights. Respect third-party rights and partner data conditions. Partners do not gain ownership or exclusivity. Avoid sharing confidential information in public pitches or platform sections without permission.
No travel or accommodation support is provided. Hack the Lab is an optional visit, and equipment or materials are not supplied for participant use. Confirm demonstration arrangements with the organisers before bringing hardware.
robothack@windhackers.com
Organized by WindHackers