This bin picking challenge is a fundamental problem in computer vision and robotics. This challenge offers students a great chance to dive into the world of robotics and artificial intelligence by developing a fully automated algorithm that can effectively sort out items in different shapes, colours, and sizes randomly placed in a bin. Participants will showcase their innovation, problem-solving skills, and technical expertise in designing a functional solution.
To obtain the first-hand information about the contest, you are encouraged to join the briefing sessions. It covers crucial details and provide important reminders for all students who are interested. Details of the briefing sessions are as follows:
Date: September 12, 2025 (Fri)
Time: 1:30 – 2:30pm
Venue: Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing One, HKU
- Date: November 5, 2025 (Wednesday)
- Time: 10:00am
- Venue: Tam Wing Fan Innovation Wing One, HKU
- All HKU students are welcome to join, except existing student research assistants of the Inno Wing.
- Participants can join either in the form of individual or team of not more than 3 HKU students.
- At least half of the team members must be undergraduates.
- Teams must enroll the Challenge by 11:59pm, October 12, 2025 (Sunday).
- If oversubscribed, priority will be given to the participants / teams who attended the briefing.
- Hands-on experiences in creating fully automated algorithm
- A certificate that recognizes your achievement
- Cash prize of HK$1,200 for the winner / winning team
- A maximum of HK$5,000 for each team member of the winning team to participate in a study tour organized by Innovation Academy and / or other conferences endorsed by the Faculty, Innovation Wing, or Innovation Academy.
Participants will create a fully automated algorithm for sorting the designated items in different shapes, colours, and sizes from a random setup within a specified time. The teams are expected to complete the challenge in a live demonstration where sorting efficiency and accuracy will be evaluated. Rules of the Challenge will be announced in due course.
- How to use and control robot arm;
- How to calibrate the camera with robot arm; and
- How to implement shape recognition algorithms and develop grasping and manipulation capabilities, etc.
Workshop 1 – Robot Arm Programming (Sep 10)
Workshop 2 – YOLO Computer Vision (Sep 29)
Workshop 3 – Robot Arm and Camera Calibration (Oct 8)
Participants are welcome to access our “Development Helpdesk” offered by our Student Research Assistants. More details will be announced in due course.
- Each team will have to complete the challenge of sorting the designated items from a stacked or overlapped tray according to the shapes, colours or size.
- The fastest team to complete the challenge will receive 100 marks, the second fastest team will receive 90 marks, and so on.
- For each item that a team fails to sort / place correctly, 5 marks will be deducted from the total score and so on. The total score will be out of 100, based on the completion time and sorting accuracy.
- Teams must follow all safety regulations and guidelines during the Challenge.
- The Challenge will be judged by a panel of experts or referees to ensure fairness and accuracy in scoring.
- The participating team with the highest score will be the winners of the Challenge.
| Shortlisted Projects |
|---|
|
AR Glasses for Archaeologists |
|
Caretaker Connect App |
|
Float: Message in a Bottle to Connect with Native Speakers Worldwide |
|
Get your period |
|
NeuroHarbor |
|
Sixth Sense |
|
VRemind |
(The proposals are listed in alphabetical order. The presentation order will be announced before the pitching starts.)
| Date | Task |
|---|---|
|
Sept 10, 2025 (Wed) |
Taught Workshop: Robot Arm Programming |
|
Sept 12, 2025 (Fri) |
Briefing |
|
Sept 17, 2025 (Wed) |
Helpdesk 1 |
|
Sept 29, 2025 (Mon) |
Taught Workshop: YOLO Computer Vision |
|
Sept 29, 2025 (Mon) |
Development Helpdesk 2 |
|
Oct 8, 2025 (Wed) |
Taught Workshop: Robot Arm and Camera Calibration |
|
Oct to Nov 2025 |
|
|
Oct 22, 2025 (Wed) |
Development Helpdesk 3:
Click and Go Challenge |
|
Nov 5, 2025 (Wed) |
The Challenge |
- Only the shortlisted proposals will be invited to join the pitching in March 26, 2025.
- Each proposal will have 5 minutes to pitch his/her/their idea with up to 5 minutes for question and answer. The presentation and Q&A session will be conducted in English.
- A maximum of 3 proposals will be selected as winners and awarded a cash prize of HK$1,200. The winning proposals can further obtain a maximum of HK$100K funding support from the “Funding Scheme for student projects / activities by Tam Wing Fan Innovation Fund and Philomathia Foundation Innovation Fund” for development, subject to the approval by the Innovation Academy Steering Committee.
- “The Best Presenter” will be awarded a cash prize of HK$1,000.
