ICRA 2026 | Robotic Grasping and Manipulation Competition (RGMC)
June 1 - June 5
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Submit your application here.
For any further questions please contact mmt-rgmc2026@pal-robotics.com.
Mobile Manipulation at the RGMC in ICRA 2026
The 11th edition of the Robotic Grasping and Manipulation Competition (RGMC) will take place during ICRA 2026. The competition is to assess the autonomous manipulation capabilities of robotics systems when interacting with unknown or novel objects with varying physical properties.
This edition of the RGMC will feature a Mobile Manipulation track, organized and sponsored by PAL Robotics, in collaboration with Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna and NIST.
The Mobile Manipulation Track challenges teams to develop integrated robotic solutions that combine manipulation, navigation, and perception on a single platform. Teams will work with a mobile manipulator provided on site: PAL Robotics’ TIAGo Pro, a bimanual mobile manipulator equipped with an omnidirectional drive base, designed to support autonomous mobility and dexterous interaction in structured environments.
During the challenge, the robot must autonomously navigate between multiple workstations, perform precise docking, and execute an industrially inspired assembly task based on the NIST Assembly Task Boards. Successful task execution requires accurate positioning and tightly coordinated manipulation.
The task environment encourages the use of advanced manipulation strategies, including coordinated two-arm operation, object hand-offs, and part stabilization during assembly, while still allowing teams flexibility in their approach.
In addition to task execution, teams will demonstrate positioning and pose accuracy through standardized evaluation procedures conducted at both the beginning and end of each run. Overall, the track is designed to highlight the versatility, robustness, and adaptability of mobile manipulators in real-world industrial manufacturing scenarios.
To support development and preparation, participating teams will be granted access to a practice version of the task setup prior to the competition.
Tentative Timeline
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- Team submission deadline: Feb 9th
- Feedback from organizers: Feb 16th
- Dry-runs at PAL Robotics: Organized from end of April to Mid May
- RGMC Competition: During ICRA 2026
How to Participate
Fill out the application form, marking your interest for the “Mobile Manipulation Track”
Step 1: Expression of Interest
Fill out the application form or send us an email expressing your interest in competing with your team details.
Send email
Step 2: Entry submission
After acceptance and receiving challenge materials, send evidence of solution and capability to adress the challenge.
Step 3: Dry-run at PAL Robotic
Optional: Teams that pass step 2 will be invited to PAL Robotics HQ to test their solution.
Step 4: Compete at ICRA 2026
On-site competition during ICRA 2026, in Vienna. May the best team win!
THE PLATFORM: TIAGo Pro
Mobile Manipulation, easier than ever
Frequently Asked Questions
Doubts? All the answers here!
ORGANIZERS
Discover who is behind the RGMC Track 2
