Pictured: RoboNation is back in town at Nathan Benderson Park for the 2024 RobotX Challenge, running now through November 9. Photo courtesy of RoboNation.

From November 3-9, Nathan Benderson Park will be the stage for the future of maritime technology, as international student teams showcase their autonomous maritime robotics systems during the 2024 Maritime RobotX Challenge. Powered by RoboNation, this global competition is bringing together 15 teams from 6 countries and 6 U.S. States. The RobotX Challenge is distinct in its focus on multi-domain autonomous systems, with teams tackling tasks that simulate real-world scenarios both on the water and in the air. From obstacle avoidance to detecting and delivering objects, the competition mirrors challenges faced by industries such as defense, marine exploration, oil and gas and environmental monitoring. Supported by industry leaders including the U.S. Office of Naval Research, RobotX creates collaboration between students, industry experts, educators, and government organizations, creating pathways for participants to explore careers in STEM fields.

“Over its history, the biennial Maritime RobotX Challenge has been held in Singapore, Hawaii, and Australia. For its 5th Competition, we’re thrilled to bring RobotX to the Sarasota area. RoboNation’s annual RoboBoat Competition takes place here each spring, and it’s a pleasure to now showcase the larger-scale RobotX Challenge at Nathan Benderson Park.” said Daryl Davidson, President & CEO of RoboNation and a Lakewood Ranch resident.

Alicia Gavin, Director of Communications and Marketing for Robonation, Inc. says that the week has been buzzing with energy. "At the Maritime RobotX Challenge, you feel this surge of energy and ingenuity as soon as you arrive. It's not just another competition—it's a meeting of minds from across the globe. We have teams from the USA, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Korea, and Chile all coming together to push the limits of what's possible in maritime robotics. You’ll find students, professionals, and industry leaders here at Nathan Benderson Park, all eager to learn from each other and share breakthroughs. Visitors coming onsite can expect to see these robots in action—attempting real world tasks, such as navigating, object detection, and docking. There’s a sense of camaraderie you don’t often see in competitive events. Teams help each other, celebrate each other’s successes, and even embrace setbacks as an opportunity to improve.

Christopher (Chris) Tio is a member of Georgia Tech’s Marine Robotics Group which competes at three of RoboNation’s maritime programs, RoboBoat, RoboSub, and RobotX. He is actually an online student with Georgia Tech and lives in California. Through joining the RobotX team, he has been able to make connections across the country and feel connected to a cadre of students, educators, and industry experts he otherwise would not have been able to connect with. “This right here, this is the future," he says. "I got involved because I was interested in the Aerospace Systems Design Laboratory which sponsors our team, and it’s allowed me to work alongside people I really look up to. Doing this, we’re able to do the research that really excites me. Between the networking and the connections, RobotX has been something very valuable.”

"For anyone who loves technology, the maritime field, or seeing the future of tomorrow’s workforce, you’ll leave inspired," adds Gavin. "Sarasota gives us the perfect stage to showcase this, and we’re thrilled to welcome the local community to see it firsthand." The event culminates in the Finals on November 9 at 12pm.

Pictured: RoboNation is back in town at Nathan Benderson Park for the 2024 RobotX Challenge, running now through November 9. Photo courtesy of RoboNation.