Konya Geniuses Shine at the 2026 International Robotics Competition

Konya's Young Geniuses Achieve International Glory

As the world moves toward automation and artificial intelligence, the youth of Konya have proven once again that they are at the forefront of this scientific transformation. A team of students from Konya's 'Kılıçarslan Borsa İstanbul' Vocational and Technical High School succeeded in winning first place in one of the most difficult categories, 'Underwater Robots,' at the 18th International Robotics Competition organized by the Turkish Ministry of National Education (MEB) [1]. This success, which became a headline in scientific media in June 2026, represents a major leap for Turkey in the field of subsea engineering.

The 'Batur' Robot: An Engineering Masterpiece in the Depths

The 'Kapsül k-tek BATUR' team, led by İhsan Alay and Muhammet Eren Balkuri, participated in the competition with a robot entirely designed and built by themselves [2]. This Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) was able to complete complex scenarios, including creating artificial reefs, navigating narrow underwater pipes, and collecting objects under strong current conditions with unparalleled precision and speed.

A distinguishing feature of this project was the clever use of physics to overcome environmental challenges. Team captain İhsan Alay explained that through extensive research and development (R&D), they designed a system that adjusts the robot's buoyancy so that its underwater weight is minimized (to approximately 100 grams), preventing imbalance while carrying heavy loads [3].

Konya: A New Hub for Technology and Innovation

This victory is not a coincidence but the result of continuous investment in scientific centers like the 'Konya Science Center' and support for student projects. This year's competition was held under the theme 'Green Homeland, Blue Future,' with a special focus on eco-friendly technologies and maritime exploration [4]. The success of the Konya team among hundreds of domestic and foreign participants solidifies the city's position as a new robotics hub in the region.

Future Outlook: From Antalya to Global Podiums

After winning this gold medal, the champion youth of Konya announced they have much larger goals in mind. Stating that 'our eyes are on higher peaks,' they emphasized that their next objective is to participate in international robotics competitions outside of Turkey and raise their country's flag on even larger global stages [2]. These young geniuses are now preparing to upgrade their robot's artificial intelligence systems to compete with the world's best in next year's competitions in Singapore and the United States.