ITR International Tournament of Robots

About Us

Welcome to the International Tournament of Robots (ITR), a global celebration of innovation, creativity, and education. As an international extension of the TJR – Torneio Juvenil de Robótica, the ITR serves as a platform where young minds from diverse cultural and educational backgrounds come together to showcase their talents in robotics and technology.

At ITR, we believe in empowering students to become leaders in the technological world of tomorrow. Our tournaments challenge participants to solve real-world problems, collaborate across disciplines, and push the boundaries of what robots can achieve.

A Truly Global Experience

The ITR is built on the foundation of inclusion and accessibility, with a carefully curated annual calendar that takes the tournament to some of the most vibrant and dynamic cities around the world:

Barcelona (February): Experience the perfect blend of culture and innovation in one of Europe’s most iconic cities, renowned for its cutting-edge technology and design.

Cancún (May): Combine education with inspiration in this tropical paradise, attracting participants from across the Americas and beyond.

Santiago (September): Engage with a growing community of tech enthusiasts in the heart of South America’s innovation hub.

São Paulo (December): End the year on a high note in Brazil’s bustling economic and cultural center, the ideal stage for the tournament’s grand finale.

The best cities for the best teams

Mexico

Cancún (2025 May): Combine education with inspiration in this tropical paradise, attracting participants from across the Americas and beyond.

Chile

Santiago (2025 September): Engage with a growing community of tech enthusiasts in the heart of South America’s innovation hub.

Brazil

São Paulo (2025 December): End the year on a high note in Brazil’s bustling economic and cultural center, the ideal stage for the tournament’s grand finale.

Spain

Barcelona (2026 - February): Experience the perfect blend of culture and innovation in one of Europe’s most iconic cities, renowned for its cutting-edge technology and design.

ITR Growth and Institutional Support

What Makes Us Unique

Educational Excellence: The ITR is more than a competition—it’s an educational journey designed to inspire students to think critically, work collaboratively, and innovate boldly.

Global Community: With participants from all over the world, the ITR fosters cultural exchange and builds bridges between future leaders in robotics.

Challenging and Diverse Events: Our competitions feature a variety of challenges, including robot dance, autonomous car racing, high-risk rescue missions, and the exciting Sumo and Tug of War events, ensuring something for every skill and interest level.

World-Class Locations: Our host cities are carefully chosen for their combination of educational opportunities, cultural significance, and logistical accessibility.

Our Mission

The ITR is committed to cultivating the next generation of innovators by providing a stage for students to test their skills, share ideas, and inspire one another. By promoting creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving, we aim to build a community that is ready to tackle the challenges of the future.

Join us as we continue to expand the horizons of robotics education and competition. Whether you’re a student, educator, or enthusiast, the ITR is your gateway to the future of technology.

Be part of the journey. Be part of the future. Be part of the ITR.

Our History ITR - International Tournament of Robots

The journey of the ITR – International Tournament of Robots began in 2015, when Professor César Augusto Rangel Bastos coordinated the first national final of the TJR – Torneio Juvenil de Robótica (Youth Robotics Tournament). The event took place at Colégio Santo Inácio in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. That same year, the TJR became a gateway for Brazilian teams to qualify for the ITR, marking its first official collaboration with the international tournament. The inaugural ITR was held on August 27, 2016, at the Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo.

In 2016, the TJR expanded to every region in Brazil, becoming the second-largest free robotics event in Latin America. Its national final featured a remarkable 299 teams.

The years 2017 and 2019 were milestones for the TJR and ITR, as both events benefited from the support of the Government of Maranhão State, further enhancing their impact.

In 2019, the groundwork was laid for the creation of the Instituto TJR Torneio Juvenil de Robótica. By 2020, the RoboLeague – International League of Robots was launched, providing a 24/7 online platform for evaluating and monitoring robotics projects and fostering continuous development. This platform ushered in a new era for robotics and computing education, with real-world robotic applications gaining prominence. By the end of 2020, the TJR had been included in official Brazilian Ministry of Education (MEC) publications, recognized as a criterion for university admissions through "Olympic quotas."

July 2021 marked the first international event open to Latin American teams, hosted online via RoboLeague. The Gran Torneo de Robots (TORNEO) welcomed teams from Guatemala, Honduras, Chile, and Brazil, solidifying the tournament's international appeal. That year, RoboLeague surpassed 500 registered teams, benefiting over 2,000 students and teachers with its educational platform.

From December 11 to 15, 2021, the Robótica Brasil 2021 event brought together the TJR Annual Final, the ITR International Tournament of Robots, and the ISYTECH – International Symposium on Technology and Curriculum Themes. Featuring speakers from Europe, America, and Africa, the event attracted over 150 teams and became the largest in-person robotics event in Brazil for 2021, ranking among the world’s most significant events that year.

The TJR’s influence inspired numerous robotics competitions, including an event at the Universidade Rural de Pernambuco on June 7, 2023.

In 2024, the TJR’s Tug of War challenge was adopted by the FIRA RoboWorld Cup for its global Youth League. The same year also saw the debut of the International Dancing Robots Festival, born from the success of the first Robot Dance Festival.

Additionally, 2024 marked the first international TJR event outside Brazil – the ITR Chile 2024 in Santiago. At this event, the upcoming ITR - Grand Slam host cities for 2025 and 2026 were announced: Cancún, Mexico, Santiago, Chile, São Paulo, Brazil and Barcelona, Spain, respectively.