Robotics Take on "Food Security"! Youth Creativity Shines at Robotics Challenge

Finals of the "2025 Youth SW Companion Robotics Challenge" Successfully Held
Under the Theme of UN SDGs "Food Security"

Youth ideas for solving food issues with robots have come together in one place.

The Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity announced that, together with the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Naver Connect Foundation, it successfully held the finals of the "2025 Youth Software (SW) Companion Robotics Challenge" on November 8 at Naver1784 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province.

On the 8th, at Naver1784 in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, participating students are performing a robot mission themed "Food Security" at the finals of the "2025 Youth SW Companion Robotics Challenge." Provided by the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity

This competition was held under the theme of "Food Security," one of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Participants proposed creative solutions for food production and distribution issues using robots. In particular, the event also served as the Korean national selection for the "Robotics for Good Youth Challenge," organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) under the UN, providing an opportunity to advance to the international stage.

Sixteen teams from eleven schools nationwide, totaling eighty students who passed the preliminary round, competed fiercely in the finals. The teams performed two simulation missions using robots: "Cultivation and Irrigation," in which they had to plant three types of seeds and water them according to color, and "Harvesting and Sorting," where the robots autonomously distinguished between ripe and rotten fruit. After two rounds, the top eight teams advanced to the final round, where the ultimate ranking was determined through a tournament format.

On-site, Nam-Il Kim, Leader at Naver Labs, delivered a special lecture titled "New Interactions in the Age of AI: Future Cities, Spaces, and Physical AI." The youth gained insights into how advanced robotics technology will transform future industries and cities.

As a result of the competition, the CR7 team from Woosung High School won the Grand Prize (Minister of Science and ICT Award). The Excellence Award (Chairman of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity Award) went to the MATE team from Cheonan Wolbong High School, while the Encouragement Awards (Chairman of the Naver Connect Foundation Award) were given to the AI Algorithm team from Munte High School and the Momonga team from Seoul Digitech High School.

Jung Woosung, Chairman of the Korea Foundation for the Advancement of Science and Creativity, said, "I was deeply impressed by the way the youth tackled the global challenge of 'food security' with robotics technology. We will actively support them so they can grow into future talents who contribute to solving social problems through software and AI technology."