In 2026, the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) Americas Open Championship was held in Ontario, California, USA from September 26th to 27th. Young competitors from countries such as Taiwan, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, South Korea, and Romania participated in the event, showcasing their technology applications and problem-solving abilities through robot design, programming, and on-site challenges.
The Taiwanese team performed well in multiple competition categories. In the elementary school division of the “RoboMission,” the team “Curious Infinity,” coached by Yu-Hang Liu with members Jia-En Chen and Yun-Ren Yang, claimed the first place. In the elementary school division of “Future Innovators,” the team “Yuhsiu Taiwan Stars,” coached by Bing-Hua Huang with members Cai-Ying Wu, Xin-Ning Shen, and Xiang-Wu Xu, secured the third place.
According to Li Zheng-Han, the Education Section Chief of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles, WRO is an international youth robot competition that allows students to apply their knowledge of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) to solve practical problems through robot design and program coding. The annual theme for the 2026 WRO International Finals was “The Collision of Robots and Culture,” encouraging participating students to ponder on how robot technology can be utilized in cultural preservation, heritage, and innovation.
Upon learning about the achievements of the Taiwanese team, the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Los Angeles promptly extended congratulations to all team members and conveyed President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Xiao Mei-Chin’s congratulatory messages, acknowledging the students’ performance in the international competition.
Li Zheng-Han emphasized that the success of Taiwanese students in the international robot competition also demonstrates the results of Taiwan’s promotion of STEM education, artificial intelligence, robotics, and technology education. Through participation in international competitions, Taiwanese students not only engage in competitive exchanges with youth from various countries but also bring Taiwan’s achievements in technology education and talent cultivation to the global stage. ◇