Malaysia AI Robotics Societ
Organiser
JORVIX
Humanoid Robotics Organiser
ASEM
Strategic Partner
MALAYSIA OPEN / 04–06 DECEMBER 2026
HUMANOID
FOOTBALL.
Autonomous robots. Real competition. See AI take the pitch at the AI Robotics Challenge 2026.
The humanoid challenge
REAL ROBOTS.
REAL FOOTBALL.
AI × AUTONOMOUS PLAY
Competition
04–06 DEC
Where
PAVILION ARENA
AI ROBOTICS CHALLENGE
ARC 2026 · MALAYSIA OPEN
01 / ABOUT ARC 2026
AI MEETS
THE ARENA.
AI Robotics Challenge 2026 (ARC 2026) Malaysia Open brings together AI, coding and robotics competitions across Open and Junior categories.
The Humanoid Football Challenge is one of ARC’s Open Category competitions. Other challenges include ICode programming, AI Development & Pitching, Service Robots and junior-focused activities.
02 / FEATURED CHALLENGE
IT'S FOOTBALL.
BUT THE PLAYERS
ARE ROBOTS.
Humanoid robots use programmed intelligence to move, react and compete — without manual control during play.
16
PLANNED TEAMS
2V2
MIXED-TEAM PLAY
03 / TWO COMPETITION FORMATS
TWO WAYS
TO PLAY.
From the physical pitch to simulated environments, the challenge explores robotics in action.
01 / REAL-WORLD
PHYSICAL ROBOT CHALLENGE
Autonomous humanoid robots compete in a demonstration football tournament on a real field.
02 / DIGITAL
SIMULATION CHALLENGE
Develop and test autonomous football strategies using Booster Robotics’ simulation platform, without needing physical robot hardware.
04 / IN BRIEF
HOW THE GAME
WORKS.
01
AUTONOMOUS
Robots play without direct human control.
02
2V2 PAIRING
Teams combine for mixed-team football matches.
03
TOURNAMENT
Group matches progress toward the finals.
05 / THE WIDER ARC
BEYOND
FOOTBALL.
01
ICODE CHALLENGES
Python, C++ and Blockly challenges for different age groups.
02
AI & PITCHING
Develop and present ideas powered by artificial intelligence.
03
SERVICE ROBOTS
Physical and virtual challenges for service robots.
04
JUNIOR CATEGORY
AI Robot Football, Coding + Crafting and junior coding.
06 / PLAN YOUR VISIT
THREE DAYS.
ONE ARENA.
Experience ARC 2026 competitions and showcases from 4–6 December at Pavilion Arena, Pavilion Damansara Heights.
04
DEC / FRI
Competition opens
Pavilion Arena, Damansara Heights
05
DEC / SAT
Competition & showcases
Pavilion Arena, Damansara Heights
06
DEC / SUN
Championship finals
Pavilion Arena, Damansara Heights
Detailed public programme to be announced. Activities are subject to organiser confirmation.
08 / EVENT ORGANISATIONS
THE TEAMS BEHIND
THE CHALLENGE.
MARS
Organiser
JORVIX
Humanoid Robotics Organiser
ASEM
Strategic Partner
MEET MARS.
The Malaysia AI Robotics Society (MARS) is a non-profit organisation advancing AI and robotics in Malaysia through education, research, collaboration and competitions. MARS organises ARC 2026 and also runs RoboCup Malaysia Open as a separate event series. The photographs below are from its 2024 and 2025 RoboCup events.
2024 / UNIVERSITI MALAYA
The first RoboCup Malaysia Open was launched at Universiti Malaya.
Photo: Universiti Malaya
2025 / UNIMAP
Participants preparing for the 2025 RoboCup Malaysia Open at Universiti Malaysia Perlis.
Photo: UTM NewsHub
07 / JOIN THE AUDIENCE
COME.
SEE THE
FUTURE.
Students, educators, industry professionals and curious minds are welcome. Choose your preferred dates and register your interest.
Public attendance is planned for 4–6 December 2026 at Pavilion Arena, Pavilion Damansara Heights.
REGISTER TO ATTEND
Select your dates. Additional questions adapt to your attendee category.
09 / GOOD TO KNOW
QUICK
QUESTIONS.
Who can attend?
Public attendance is currently planned to be open to everyone interested in AI and robotics.
Is advance registration required?
Admission and walk-in policies are not yet confirmed. You can register your interest in attending.
Can I register to compete?
This form is for public attendees only. Competitor registration is managed separately by the organisers and is not currently open for general public applications.