Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –
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A team of Moscow schoolchildren was among the 20 finalists of the first Open All-Russian Technology Olympiad in Robotics. From Code to TakeoffThe final round will take place in the capital from December 16 to 22. This was reported by Anastasia Rakova, Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Social Development.
"The Open All-Russian Technology Olympiad in Robotics, 'From Code to Takeoff,' is one of the year's key events in robotics. For many schoolchildren, it's not just a competition, but the first step toward their future profession. Five thousand Moscow students participated in the qualifying round, with 325 high school students advancing to the finals. The final round will bring together 400 students in grades 9-11 from across the country who plan to pursue careers in IT and engineering. The finals will be held in Moscow from December 16th to 22nd. A separate final round will be held in the spring for younger students. Olympiad winners will receive preferential admissions to Russia's top technical universities, ranging from admission without exams or credit for an additional test to a score of 100 on the Unified State Exam," explained Anastasia Rakova.
The qualifying round of the Olympiad was held online. Students were asked to solve a problem in a simulator: on a virtual track for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), they had to find the optimal route and read data from markers. In the "Mobile Robots" section, students worked with a specialized Robot Operating System. They mastered the basic principles of navigation, control, and data exchange between nodes. Participants had to program the robot to plot a route in a given space, configure the localization system, and ensure correct movement along the intended trajectory.
"I participated in a UAV simulator track. The solution required running two programs: one simulating the drone's operating system, and the other simulating the input and output of where the drone was flying and what it was seeing. The map showed two warehouse locations and five unloading points. I had to deliver packages from the warehouses to the designated locations using an optimal route and LED indicators. It was very interesting to choose the best route, see how the calculated time matched the simulator's actual time, and spot any errors. I hadn't worked with UAVs before this Olympiad, so this experience was unique," shared Dmitry Firsov, an 11th-grader at School No. 1329.
The final stage of the Olympiad will take place at the Federal Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The opening ceremony will take place on December 16. The following day, participants will take quizzes. From December 18 to 20, students will complete practical round tasks in two areas: UAVs and mobile robotics.
In addition to Moscow high school students, students from 23 regions of Russia will take part in the competition.
During the practical round, they will configure drones and develop algorithms for autonomous flight, including obstacle avoidance and tag recognition. Participants will also program mobile robots that will perform an autonomous mission at the testing ground: basic navigation, obstacle avoidance, object recognition, and optimal route planning in changing conditions. The finalists will also face electronics-related challenges, which will depend on their chosen field.
150 drones, 32 tables with mobile robotics equipment, 16 drone nets, and 400 computers will be prepared for Olympiad participants.
In addition to the competition, the finalists will enjoy an educational, cultural, and entertainment program. A technological show of engineering achievements will be held at the Rudnevo Industrial Park, featuring robotic dogs and a humanoid robot. The awards ceremony will take place on December 22.
The Open All-Russian Technology Olympiad in Robotics, "From Code to Takeoff," is part of the Moscow School Olympiad in Robotics, which has been held since 2015. Winners of the competition receive preferential admissions privileges to leading Russian technical universities, including Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Lomonosov Moscow State University, and the National Research University Higher School of Economics. Winners will be able to enroll without taking exams or additional tests, or they can receive 100 points on the specialized Unified State Exam.
The Olympiad was organized by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Digital Development, Communications and Mass Media of the Russian Federation, and Department of Education and Science of the City of MoscowDetailed information about the "From Code to Takeoff" Olympiad is published onwebsite.
Moscow schoolchildren regularly win robotics competitions. In 2025, the Moscow team received 47 winner's and runner-up certificates at the All-Russian School Olympiad finals. Muscovites also won the Russian Robotics Olympiad last season. They created transport robots for industrial fishing, port work, and rescue operations in the northern seas. Moscow schoolchildren demonstrated the highest results among all participants, with over 50 students receiving awards.
Ensuring high-quality preparation of Moscow schoolchildren for the Olympiads is in line with the objectives of the “All the Best for Children” national project Youth and ChildrenMore information about Russia's national projects and the capital's contribution can be found atspecial page.
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