In preparation for the 4th Robotics DOJO Competition, student teams showcased their innovative robot designs during a poster presentation session held on 7th October 2025 at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). The session served as a vital precursor to the main contest, giving participants the opportunity to present their design concepts, research approaches, and technical frameworks before the judging panel. It also allowed the teams to explain how their autonomous robots could provide practical solutions to real-world challenges in sustainable agriculture, setting the stage for an exciting and intellectually charged competition the following day.

The session brought together 11 teams representing JKUAT, the University of Nairobi, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, and the Technical University of Kenya, all competing under the theme “Autonomous Mobile Robot for Sustainable Agriculture.” The teams presented their robot concepts, design methodologies, and intended functions to a panel of judges comprising Prof. Kiyasu and Prof. Sakaguchi from Nagasaki University. The judges evaluated each project based on innovation, functionality, sustainability, and potential impact on agricultural practices in Africa.

During the presentations, students demonstrated not only their technical knowledge but also their ability to apply robotics and artificial intelligence principles to address real-world challenges in the agricultural sector. Many of the projects featured autonomous systems designed for precision tasks such as field navigation, crop disease detection, and object recognition.

The poster session provided a valuable platform for teams to receive expert feedback before the final competition held the following day. The interaction with the judges allowed participants to refine their designs, strengthen their problem-solving approaches, and gain deeper insights into practical robot development.

The poster presentations were a crucial step in the learning process, allowing students to clearly articulate their design ideas and critically evaluate how their robots could address local challenges. This stage served as a bridge between creativity and technical validation, reinforcing the DOJO programme’s goal of nurturing practical, problem-solving innovation.

The Robotics DOJO continues to serve as a dynamic training ground where students integrate theory with practice, fostering innovation and teamwork. The engagement of all 11 teams demonstrated the growing enthusiasm and talent in robotics development among Kenyan university students.

Article written by: Billy Oluoch