The 8th National University Contest on Intelligent Robotic Innovations recently concluded in Yuyao, Zhejiang Province. This year’s contest featured three themed events, three special events, and one industry–education integration event, attracting 752 universities, 10,880 teams, and over 47,000 students nationwide. More than 4,000 students advanced to the national finals.

A team from the Zhejiang University – University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Institute (ZJUI) won first prize. The team included Cha Haoyun and Wu Liangliang, class of 2027 in Electrical Engineering, Guo Keying, class of 2027 in Mechanical Engineering, and Zhang Jianghan, class of 2027 in Civil Engineering.

The winning system combined a xArm6 robotic arm, precise vision with LED backlighting, and a modular ROS architecture. Innovative algorithms, including a modified Pierre Dellacherie method and a hybrid greedy–particle swarm strategy, enabled accurate and efficient block placement, with two modes for either maximum scoring or fast response. Finally, the system completed 13 rows of block assembly in 1 minute 30 seconds, achieving perfect four-color combinations for 260 points. In the advanced task, even with eight blocks removed, it scored over 135 points, demonstrating high reliability and efficiency.

The award-winning team stated that the competition was a tremendous test of their interdisciplinary research abilities. They expressed deep gratitude to ZJUI for providing a learning platform that integrates theory and practice across disciplines. Under the guidance of faculty, the team not only strengthened their interdisciplinary theoretical foundation but also continuously enhanced their independent research skills and overall competencies through daily practical training. They hope that each team member will continue to excel, deepen their expertise in various fields, and pursue greater achievements in academic research.

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