Drones weaved seamlessly through cylinders in the air, while unmanned vehicles executed millimeter-precision drifts on the ground. Every maneuver and obstacle avoided showcased the competitors' solid expertise—the result of countless hours of meticulous debugging and optimization. In this virtual simulation platform replicating real-world physics, teams competed on screen as skilled programmers worked swiftly behind the scenes. Every strategic decision and command issued reflected their silent yet intense rivalry.

On the morning of May 10, the award ceremony for the 2nd H&T Cup Robot Challenge was grandly held at Guangzhou International Campus of South China University of Technology (SCUT). Distinguished attendees included Liu Fuxin, Dean of the Technical Research Institute at Shenzhen H&T Intelligent Control Co., Ltd., along with HR Director Yan Dan, algorithm expert Li Caolei, and Recruitment Manager Liu Lu. Representing SCUT were Chen Xiaoqi ,Dean of the Shien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent Engineering, Executive Dean Yu Zhuliang, Secretary of the Party General Branch Zhang Zheng, Deputy Dean Chan Patrick Pak Kei, and other faculty members. Students and parents from local primary and secondary schools in Guangzhou also joined to celebrate the winners.

The event began with addresses from Chen Xiaoqi and Liu Fuxin. Dean Chen encouraged participants to hone their skills and strengthen teamwork through the contest, aiming to cultivate innovative talents with both global vision and practical capabilities. He also expressed gratitude for H&T’s support, emphasizing the university’s commitment to deepening industry-academia collaboration to enhance students’ knowledge and engineering skills.

Dean Liu congratulated the organizers on a successful event, stressing that technology should serve humanity and address real-world needs. He highlighted the growing importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and expressed hopes for further cooperation with SCUT in the future.

This year’s challenge featured separate tracks for drones and unmanned vehicles. Using a simulation platform, participants were tasked with completing full-process challenges under tight deadlines, testing their programming and planning abilities. The competition attracted over 300 participants from more than 80 teams across 16 colleges in SCUT’s three campuses.

In the unmanned vehicle category, team Che Che Che Che Che claimed first place with refined techniques and outstanding performance, while teams Formin and Sensor secured second and third places, respectively. For the drone category, team Invincible ROS Masters took the top spot with exceptional control and innovation, followed by XFG Team and GG Four Awesome Members in second and third.

Niu Haochen, captain of the winning unmanned vehicle team, shared that the contest intensely tested their coding skills, path planning, and localization algorithms. His team spent significant time fine-tuning PID controls, a process filled with trial and error. He now aims to adapt their improved path-planning algorithm for real-world applications, hoping to build a functional autonomous vehicle.

Following the awards, H&T algorithm expert Li Caolei delivered a keynote titled New Demands and Challenges of Embodied AI in Motor Control. Using accessible language, he explained how complex vector control enables motors to respond intelligently and how robust control ensures their stability, offering the audience a closer look at the appeal of smart technology.

After the lecture, students and parents visited the Shien-Ming Wu School of Intelligent Engineering for a technology-filled exploration. The institute held an enrollment promotion event, delving into the unique features and professional strengths of the institute, while also conducting popular science education on cutting-edge technologies, guiding everyone to explore the boundless possibilities in the field of intelligent engineering. Visitors experienced a cyber zoo up close, encountering a robotic fish that swims without gills, a robotic dog that runs without a heart, and a robotic bird that flies without feathers.

The children were highly enthusiastic and rushed forward to experience the operation of the machines themselves. During the process of personally adjusting the equipment and witnessing the program running, they truly felt the unique charm of engineering design. These advanced technological exhibits captivated both students and parents, planting seeds of curiosity and innovation. The visit provided a fitting conclusion to the Robot Challenge series.

As a gesture of gratitude, Dean Chen Xiaoqi presented a memento to Shenzhen H&T Intelligent Control Co., Ltd., acknowledging the company’s ongoing support for the university’s development and student growth. After the ceremony, both parties visited laboratories and held discussions to explore future collaboration in joint R&D projects, talent development, and technology exchange—laying a solid foundation for deeper industry-academia integration.