National Robotics Challenge

INTRODUCTION
The National Robotics Challenge began in 1986 as the Robotics International of the Society of
Manufacturing Engineers (RI/SME) Robotic Technology and Engineering Challenge (RI/SME-RTEC).
RI/SME-RTEC was developed under the guidance and inspiration of Tom Meravi, Associate Professor
from Northern Michigan University and the late Dr. James Hannemann, co-chairman of the event. RI/
SME-RTEC moved to Marion, Ohio in 2004 under the guidance of Ed Goodwin, Ritch Ramey and Tad
Douce. In 2005 the contest was renamed the National Robotics Challenge. From this humble
beginning, with two workcells and two pick and place competitions, the 2021 competition offers twelve
exciting contest categories.
The National Robotics Challenge is designed to provide students of all ages and levels of study the
opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes, controls,
robotics, and other technologies through competitive engineering contests. Students are judged on
their application of technology principles, engineering concepts, and their ability to solve real-world
problems through a team approach.
The National Robotics Challenge is designed to complement classroom instruction and provide
students the opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in challenging and fun situations. Each contest
is specifically designed to test the students’ skills and knowledge in a particular area of manufacturing,
technology, robotics, and automation. The event is open to any student in elementary, middle school,
high school, or post-secondary school anywhere in the world.
Last year over 1200 participants from 13 states and 2 countries competed in the NRC event. Our vision
is to become the premier robotics competition for elementary, middle, high and post-secondary school
students around the globe.
MISSON
The mission of the National Robotics Challenge is to provide educational robotics competitions where
students can develop the creativity, engineering, problem solving, and leadership skills they will need in
the world of tomorrow.
GENERAL INFORMATION

The 2022 NRC Contest Manual will be released Fall of 2021​