Registration Open
WCRC
Wall-Climbing Robot Challenge
WCRC
About the Challenge
The Wall-Climbing Robot Challenge (WCRC) is the first-of-its-kind competition organized by IEEE RAS at the University of Jordan. Teams of up to 4 members design and build a single robot that climbs a 240 cm vertical galvanized steel wall, racing against the clock and gravity itself. Open to university students, school students, and hobbyists alike. Robots are evaluated on climb speed, mechanical stability, and successful completion of the course. This isn't just about sticking to a surface; it's a true test of engineering precision, power-to-weight optimization, and creative mechanical design.
Technical Specifications
The Wall
240 cm tall × 120 cm wide. 2.0 mm galvanized steel (magnetic). Finish line at 200 cm. Teams must account for magnetic saturation.
Robot Limits
Max weight: 5.0 kg. Starting size: 30×30×30 cm. Max voltage: 24V peak. Post-launch expansion allowed on the wall face only.
Team Rules
Up to 4 members per team. One designated Team Leader. One robot per team — no swapping between waves. Open to all skill levels.
Race Format
Two waves (best of 2 runs). 90s setup, 150s max run time. Hybrid control — autonomous or RC. Fastest single run wins. Ties broken by distance, weight, then run order.
Prize Pool
Total Pool: 500 JOD
2nd Place
150 JOD
Silver Prize
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Recognition
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Certificate
Champion
1st Place
250 JOD
Gold Prize
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Champion Title
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Winner's Trophy
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Exclusive Interview
3rd Place
100 JOD
Bronze Prize
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Recognition
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Certificate
How It Works
01
Register
Form a team of up to 4 members and register by June 15, 2026. Entry fee: 5 JOD (IEEE members) or 10 JOD (standard), plus a 10 JOD refundable safety deposit.
02
Design & Build
Engineer your wall-climbing robot. Magnets, vacuum fans, and air movers are all allowed — but no glue, suction cups, or chemical adhesives. Optimize for weight, torque, and speed within 5 kg and 30×30×30 cm.
03
Technical Inspection
Phase 1: Submit prototype photos or CAD by June 18 for preliminary review. Phase 2: Mandatory on-site inspection on July 2 — weight, dimensions, battery safety, and E-Stop all verified before you can compete.
04
Compete Live
July 2–4 at Fikr AI Hub. Two waves with a 30-min maintenance break between them. Your best single run time out of 2 determines your rank. All runs verified by VAR video review.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can participate? expand_more
WCRC is open to everyone — university students, school students, and hobbyists. Teams can have up to 4 members and must designate one Team Leader as the sole point of contact with officials. Each team competes with exactly one robot.
What adhesion methods are allowed? expand_more
The wall is 2.0 mm galvanized steel, so magnetic adhesion is the primary approach — but vacuum pumps and fans (air movers) are also permitted. What's banned: glue, sticky tape, water, gels, suction cups, chemical adhesives, or anything that leaves residue. No edge grabbing either — climbing must stay on the face of the wall.
How much does it cost to enter? expand_more
Entry fee is 5 JOD if at least one team member holds an active IEEE membership, or 10 JOD for teams with no IEEE members. There's also a 10 JOD refundable safety deposit (returned after the event unless arena damage occurs). Payment accepted via CliQ (alias: IEEERAS) or in cash. After paying via CliQ, send a screenshot of your payment on WhatsApp to +962 79 241 6275.
Can we use remote control or does the robot need to be autonomous? expand_more
Either! The control method is Hybrid — autonomous or RC, your choice. The fastest robot wins regardless of control type. For RC robots, activation is a single start command after the referee's whistle, then continuous remote control is allowed. Just note: all controllers must stay powered off in the pit area and audience seating. You can only turn on your controller when instructed by the referee in the Start Zone.
What are the key dates and deadlines? expand_more
Registration deadline: June 15, 2026. Preliminary review (submit photos/CAD): June 18. Competition days: July 2–4 at Fikr AI Hub & Study House, Amman. On-site technical inspection takes place on July 2 before Wave 1 begins.
What happens if my robot falls or stalls? expand_more
Falls below 30 cm (the Start Zone) count as a false start — you get one restart per run. Falls above 30 cm are an immediate DNF. For stalls: if your robot fails to make at least 5 cm of upward progress within any 30 consecutive seconds, it's declared DNF. Lateral movement and vibrations don't count as progress.
Where can I find the full rules and scoring criteria? expand_more
Download the official WCRC 2026 Rulebook for complete competition rules, robot specifications, scoring methodology, and tie-breaker procedures.
The Venue
Fikr AI Hub & Study House
A space dedicated to innovation and engineering. Fikr AI Hub provides the perfect environment for high-stakes robotics competitions, with ample space for teams to prep and a live audience to cheer.
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Amman, Jordan
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Organizing Committee
WCRC 2026 (Wall-Climbing Robot Challenge) is organized by IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (IEEE RAS), University of Jordan Chapter.
Chair
Yahia Hassunah
Vice Chair
Omar Eshtewe
Operations Manager
Yousef Taweel
Registration Officer
Hala AlDalu