Singapore Launches First National Embodied AI Challenge To Accelerate Real-world Robotics Deployment In Manufacturing
Micron joins as Title Sponsor for the inaugural competition, inviting teams worldwide to develop embodied AI solutions for real-world semiconductor manufacturing tasks.
(Left to right) Mr Tung Meng Fai, Executive Director, National Robotics Programme; Mr Ho Lip Wee, Vice President, Micron Technology; Mr Wong Zeng Yi, Assistant Managing Director (Manufacturing), Enterprise Singapore; Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Energy, Trade and Industry; Ms Cindy Koh, Executive Vice President, Singapore Economic Development Board; Dr David Low, Chief Executive Officer, A*STAR Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre; and Prof Ziwei Wang, Director of PINE Lab@NTU, during the launch of the Singapore Embodied AI Challenge for Manufacturing at ITAP on 21 October 2026.
Singapore – The National Robotics Programme (NRP), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), PINE Lab@NTU, and leading semiconductor company Micron Technology today announced the launch of the Singapore Embodied AI Challenge for Manufacturing, Singapore's first national-level competition dedicated to advancing embodied artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics through real-world industry challenges. It is also among the first embodied AI competitions globally to be built around a real-world use case provided by an industry partner, creating a direct pathway for promising solutions to be translated into practical manufacturing applications.
With Micron as the Title Sponsor and semiconductor company Infineon Technologies as an Event Sponsor, the inaugural competition features a semiconductor manufacturing challenge, where participants will develop and test embodied AI solutions against real-world industrial requirements. With a total prize pool of S$88,000, including a top prize of S$50,000, the challenge is open to teams worldwide, with the onsite finals taking place at RoboSG! 2027 on 20 March 2027. Registration is now open.
Tackling real-world manufacturing challenges
Participants will develop embodied AI solutions using a robotic embodiment platform to perform precise industrial manipulation tasks within a 3D mock-up chamber developed by Micron. Teams will programme robots to execute tasks such as opening the chamber, removing and reinstalling components, conducting inspections, cleaning surfaces, and completing reassembly procedures.
The semiconductor manufacturing use case for the inaugural edition aligns with Singapore’s strengths in advanced manufacturing and the growing interest in applying embodied AI solutions to industrial environments. Semiconductor manufacturing presents a particularly demanding testbed due to its requirements for precision, repeatability and operational reliability. As Singapore continues to invest in advanced manufacturing capabilities, the challenge provides an opportunity to advance embodied AI technologies in areas where A*STAR and industry partners are driving innovation to improve industrial productivity and competitiveness.
Mr Joshua Lee, Corporate Vice President and Singapore Country Manager at Micron Technology, said, "At Micron, we believe AI can unlock new possibilities by accelerating intelligence and expanding human potential to enrich life for all. Through this first-of-its-kind embodied AI challenge and our ongoing collaborations with institutes of higher learning, we hope to empower the next generation of talent in Singapore to seize the opportunities of an AI-enabled future.”
Advancing Singapore's embodied AI capabilities
The challenge supports Singapore's ambition to become an international proving ground for robotics and embodied AI, bringing together researchers, industry partners, start-ups and global talent to develop and validate solutions against practical industry needs. It also builds on Singapore's strengths in advanced manufacturing and robotics research, where A*STAR and the wider research and innovation ecosystem work to translate advanced technologies into solutions that strengthen industrial competitiveness.
"The Singapore Embodied AI Challenge for Manufacturing reflects Singapore's ambition to be a trusted international proving ground for robotics and embodied AI innovation, where industry partners, researchers and technology developers can come together to develop, test and validate technologies against real industry challenges. By bringing together global talent, the competition provides a platform to accelerate the translation of cutting-edge technologies into deployment-ready solutions. We invite participants from around the world to join us in shaping the next generation of embodied AI applications," said Mr Tung Meng Fai, Executive Director, NRP.
Micron will contribute sponsorship funding and technical expertise to shape the competition challenge. Infineon Technologies will contribute sensor technologies, while Galbot will provide a robotic platform, developer toolkit, robot hardware, and support for real-world data collection. Technology Partners Lightwheel and the National Supercomputing Centre (NSCC) Singapore will support the development of the competition infrastructure, including simulation, benchmarking, evaluation, and AI cloud computing resources.
From virtual simulation to physical robotics
The competition begins with an online simulation phase, which is currently underway until 31 December 2026. Participants will receive simulation data, synthetic datasets, baseline models and evaluation tools to develop, train and benchmark their embodied AI solutions. The highest-scoring teams will advance to the onsite finals, with shortlisted overseas teams eligible for travel subsidies.
The finals will take place at RoboSG! 2027, NRP's biennial flagship robotics event. Finalists will deploy their solutions in a physical arena and compete to complete designated assembly tasks within a limited timeframe. Teams will be ranked based on the number of operational steps they successfully complete.
"Embodied AI represents the next frontier in robotics, bridging the gap between digital intelligence and physical execution. Translating foundational models into high-precision, reliable physical manipulation in demanding environments, such as semiconductor manufacturing, requires rigorous benchmarking and tight industry collaboration. Through the Singapore Embodied AI Challenge for Manufacturing, PINE Lab@NTU is excited to co-create a realistic proving ground that empowers global innovators to advance deployment-ready robotic intelligence," said Prof Ziwei Wang, Director of PINE Lab@NTU.
The challenge is open to teams worldwide, including students, engineers, roboticists, AI researchers, startups, and multidisciplinary teams interested in developing embodied AI and robotics solutions for industrial applications. Teams may comprise one to five members, with collaborations between academia and industry strongly encouraged to foster the development of practical, deployment-ready solutions.
Teams interested in participating can find out more on eligibility, competition resources, and registration requirements at nrp.gov.sg/SGEAIchallenge. Registration closes on 31 December 2026.
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About the National Robotics Programme
The National Robotics Programme (NRP) is a multi-agency national programme hosted by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), that oversees the research, development and translation of robotics enablers and solutions in Singapore. Established in 2016 as part of the RIE (Research, Innovation and Enterprise) initiative, NRP aims to catalyse differentiated robotics capabilities in Singapore through the funding of use-inspired research and use-driven development. NRP also leverages the projects it funds to grow our robotics talent pool and nurture a vibrant local ecosystem.
About the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR’s R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis.
About PINELab@NTU
The Perception and embodied INtElligence (PINE) Lab at NTU Singapore develops intelligent robotic systems that perceive, reason, and interact with the physical world. Our research focuses on Embodied AI, computer vision, and robot learning, spanning foundation model adaptation, tactile dexterous manipulation, sample-efficient world models, and spatial perception. Committed to real-world deployment, we actively collaborate with industry leaders to implement robotic solutions in electronics and semiconductor assembly, while consistently demonstrating technical excellence as winners in premier international competitions across IROS and CVPR.
