CONSTRUCTION ROBOTICS HACKATHON 2026
The first ever Construction Robotics Hackathon
A high-intensity event for students and innovators working at the intersection of construction, robotics, and digital innovation.
What this event is about
Construction has too much work and too few hands — and the robots that could help already exist. What's missing are people who make them useful on a real site. At the first Construction Robotics Hackathon you won't build hardware from scratch: you'll take real industrial robots, sensors and modern software and turn them into working solutions for real construction use cases. In teams, over one weekend, on real machines.
The weekend
Hands-on challenges built around real construction use cases — solved on real industrial robots
Workshops to get you up to speed with the robots and tools before you build
Interdisciplinary teams — robotics, civil engineering, architecture, computer science
Final demos, prizes — and an afterparty to close the weekend
Challenge Areas
Three to four use-case challenges — each one a real construction task to solve with industrial robots. The exact challenges will be announced before the event. The areas we're exploring:
Assembly & Installation
Teach a robot arm to handle and place real construction components with precision.
Surface Finishing
From human motion to robot motion — capture how a trade works and let the robot repeat it.
Construction Logistics
Autonomous material transport across a busy site.
Perception & Safety
Use industrial sensor technology to make robots aware of the site around them.
What you take away
- Hands-on time with industrial robots you won't get in a lecture hall
- Direct contact with construction and technology companies
- A share of a prize pool of up to €10,000
- The chance to grow your solution into a follow-up project with CTRL
Who it is for
Students of robotics, civil engineering, architecture and computer science — plus startups, young professionals and anyone who wants to put robots to work on real construction problems. You don't need to be a robotics expert: teams mix disciplines, and workshops get you started.
Why it matters
Construction is entering a new era of automation, digital workflows, and intelligent systems. This hackathon is where that shift becomes practical: industry brings real use cases, we bring the robots, and you make it work.
Partners
Questions
Frequently Asked
What exactly is the Construction Robotics Hackathon?+
Three days, real industrial robots, real problems from the construction site. You don't build hardware from scratch — you take robots, sensors and modern software that already exist and make them useful for a construction use case. In an interdisciplinary team, over one weekend, on real machines.
Who can apply?+
Students of robotics, civil engineering, architecture and computer science — plus startups, young professionals and anyone who wants to put robots to work on real construction problems. You don't have to study at RWTH Aachen.
Do I need robotics experience?+
No. Workshops at the start of the weekend get you up to speed on the robots and the tools, and teams deliberately mix disciplines — the civil engineer who understands the use case matters as much as the developer who writes the code. Beginners are welcome; just tell us your background in the application.
What does it cost?+
Nothing. Participation, the workshops, your time on the robots and food and drinks across the whole weekend are free — afterparty included.
How do I apply — and when do I hear back?+
Fill in the application form at the bottom of this page. Every application is read by the CTRL board, and we select the people who fit the weekend best — it is not first come, first served. We review on a rolling basis and confirm your spot by email, and we close applications once the 50 spots are taken. We deliberately mix disciplines and experience levels, so beginners have a real chance: take your time with the motivation question, that's the part we read most closely.
Can I apply with a team, or on my own?+
Both. Teams are interdisciplinary and 3–5 people. If you already have a team, each of you applies and names the others in the application; if you apply solo, we match you into a team before the kickoff.
What will we actually work on?+
Three to four challenges — each one a real construction task — from the four areas above: assembly & installation, surface finishing, construction logistics, and perception & safety. The exact challenges are announced before the event.
What robots and equipment do we get?+
Industrial robot arms, a mobile robot platform, industrial sensor technology and the prototyping tools you need — provided by CTRL and our partners. Bring your own laptop; the robots, tools and materials are on site.
What can we win?+
A prize pool of up to €10,000, shared among the best teams — how it is split will be announced before the event. The bigger prize is often what comes after: direct contact with construction and technology companies, and the chance to grow your solution into a follow-up project with CTRL.
Do I have to be there for the whole weekend?+
Yes — plan for Friday 23 to Sunday 25 October. Teams build together across the weekend and close it out with the final demos, the prizes and the afterparty.
Where do I sleep — and is travel or accommodation covered?+
Getting to Aachen is on you, but you won't need a hotel: we have space at the lab to sleep over, so bring a sleeping bag.
Which language is the hackathon in?+
English, so that everyone can take part. Within your team you can of course speak German.
Where does it take place?+
At the CTRL Lab, Süsterfeldstraße 200, 52072 Aachen.
Still have a question? Write to info@ctrl-rwth.de
Apply For Your Spot
Application