SUTD and APU Collaborate to Host First Regional Edition of RoboRoarZ in Malaysia
Image credit: APU Beyond Media
RoboRoarZ, Singapore’s largest reconfigurable robotics competition, went regional for the first time. Jointly organised by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) and Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025 marked a significant milestone in expanding technology-driven education beyond Singapore.
The two-day immersive robotics and coding competition brought together promising young tech talents for a weekend of innovation, collaboration, and competitive spirit. (Image credit: APU Beyond Media)
More significantly, it was also the only robotics competition in the world to involve “live” solutioning, which meant that participants were not able to prepare for the competition in advance, unlike most such competitions.
All teams used the SUTD-designed Smorphi reconfigurable robots, manufactured by Wefaa Robotics, as a standard platform to address dynamic logistics challenges in real time. (Image credit: APU Beyond Media)
The two-day competition, which took place from 21 to 22 June at APU’s flagship campus in Bukit Jalil, drew over 200 participants, facilitators, and guests from schools and institutions across Malaysia, as well as from Singapore, India, and Oman.
Associate Professor Mohan Elara Rajesh, SUTD’s Engineering Product Development Pillar, and Chair of RoboRoarZ Singapore said that they’re excited to partner with APU to bring RoboRoarZ across the causeway for its first-ever regional edition.
“More than just a competition, RoboRoarZ challenges students to think and respond to problems in real time. We hope this approach has inspired more students to see how robotics, Design AI, and rapid prototyping can be applied to shape everyday life in meaningful ways,” he said.
On top of that, the event was made possible with the support of industry partners, including Mapletree Investments, a global real estate company headquartered in Singapore.
On supporting RoboRoarZ Malaysia, Mr Edmund Cheng, Chairman, Mapletree Investments said: “Mapletree is proud to continue our collaboration with RoboRoarZ Malaysia, following our sponsorship of the Singapore edition earlier this year. Aligned with the education pillar of Mapletree’s Corporate Social Responsibility Framework, our support encourages innovation among youths and widens the reach of STEM programmes in communities where we operate. Together, we are nurturing the next generation of trailblazers.”
Empowering the next tech generation
Image credit: APU Beyond Media
The event kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony on Saturday morning, followed by a captivating session titled “Smorphi Imaginary,” where participants were introduced to advanced robotics concepts through gamified simulations and creative interaction.
Prof Dr Ho Chin Kuan, Vice-Chancellor of APU emphasised that RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025 is more than a competition; it’s a celebration of curiosity, creativity, and the future of digital talent.
“At APU, we believe in experiential learning that equips our students and the youth of today, with the confidence, capability, and compassion to solve real-world challenges through technology,” he said.
After a mid-day break, participants dove into the gameplay and rules briefing before proceeding to a hands-on coding workshop and testing session, where teams collaboratively refined their code to prepare for the main competition. (Image credit: APU Beyond Media)
A Showcase of Grit, Innovation, and Teamwork
Day two of the event began with an energising warm-up session, setting the stage for the main competition where participants faced off in two intensive robotics pilot and autonomous challenges.
Image credit: APU Beyond Media
The Pilot Challenge, held in the morning, tested teams on their piloting skills. (Image credit: APU Beyond Media)
Assoc Prof Dr Tan Chin Ike, Head of the School of Computing at APU, shared that RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025 is not just about teaching code, but it’s also about shaping the next generation of digital leaders.
“It was inspiring to witness students tackle challenges with such determination and focus.
“Additionally, through RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025, we’re nurturing problem-solvers, collaborators, and future-proof professionals who can lead the tech frontier with heart and skill,” he said.
In the afternoon, the Autonomous Challenge raised the bar with dynamic tasks involving autonomous navigation, object recognition, and error handling; pushing participants to think fast and adapt on the fly. (Image credit: APU Beyond Media)
Throughout the day, the competition hall buzzed with energy and excitement as teams demonstrated creativity, critical thinking, and collaboration under pressure.
Fostering Talent with Purpose
Image credit: APU Beyond Media
The event concluded with a celebratory closing ceremony on Sunday evening, recognising top-performing teams and honouring all participants for their perseverance, creativity, and passion for technology.
The closing ceremony was filled with excitement and applause as students, educators, and guests gathered to celebrate the spirit of innovation and teamwork that defined RoboRoarZ Malaysia 2025.
The event wrapped up on a high note with group photos, cheers, and words of encouragement from judges and organisers, leaving everyone inspired and looking forward to what the future holds in robotics and tech-driven learning. (Image credit: APU Beyond Media)
About Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU)
Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is one of Malaysia’s premier private universities, ranked among the top 2% of universities worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026. APU is the first Malaysian university to be accredited by the UK Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), and the first in Malaysia to be awarded the prestigious QS 5-Stars Plus Rating.
APU is also ranked 16th globally for international students and 10th in the world for international student diversity, reflecting its strong global presence and inclusive campus community.
APU holds a 5-Star (Excellent) SETARA Rating and is officially recognised as a Premier Digital Tech Institution (PDTI) by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC). With a vibrant, multicultural community comprising students from over 130 countries and a proven 100% graduate employability rate, APU is widely celebrated for its commitment to producing highly employable graduates. To date, APU has received more than 500 local and international awards in recognition of its academic excellence and innovation.