Social AI CDT AI Robotics Hackathon 2026

Description

Build and demo AI-powered robotics projects with real hardware at this two-day, in-person hackathon in Glasgow on 23–24 September 2026. Social AI CDT brings curious builders together at the University of Glasgow to explore recent developments in AI robotics, learn open-source techniques and tackle real-world problems in teams. ## Hack with real robots Rather than working only in simulation, participants will have access to **10 pairs of LeRobot SO-101 robotic arms** supplied by the organisers. You are also welcome to bring your own compatible hardware,just let the team know. The event combines guided learning with open-ended building, giving you two days to turn an idea into a working robotics project and demo. Easy-to-follow, beginner-friendly tutorials make the hackathon accessible to people discovering robotics, while the hardware, competitive format and expert input offer plenty for more experienced AI and robotics builders. Participants will work in **teams of three or four**, with networking and team formation built into the opening programme. Attendance is in person at Studio 2 in the Advanced Research Centre, University of Glasgow, 11 Chapel Lane, [Glasgow](https://www.createwith.com/cities/glasgow), G11 6EW. The organisers provide the robots; attendees are asked to bring a powerful MacBook or a laptop with an Nvidia GPU if they have one. ## Programme The event opens on **Wednesday 23 September** with registration from 8:30am. Welcome talks from Social AI CDT and Prof. Chetouani begin at 9am, followed by an official introduction to the hackathon’s rules and tools. After coffee, networking and team formation, hacking starts at 11am. On **Thursday 24 September**, teams must submit their projects by 3:30pm. The first pitch round runs from 3:30–4:20pm, with each team delivering a three-minute presentation supported by a demo video. Winners are announced at 4:40pm, and the event closes with drinks at 5pm. ## Prizes Winning teams can take home practical hardware for future projects, including: - A pair of LeRobot SO-101 robotic arms - SSK 1TB portable external solid-state drives - SanDisk Ultra 256GB USB Type-A flash drives… [Register for this event](https://events.bookitbee.com/social-ai-cdt/social-ai-cdt-ai-robotics-hackathon-2026)