RoboCup Singapore 2027: robotics competition training for primary school children
Your child trains in a team for 20 sessions from October to April, then competes at Science Centre Singapore in April 2027. On the day, their robot runs on its own and your child explains the build to the judges.
Two categories in the U12 division, for primary school children: Rescue Line, where children build a robot with LEGO Education SPIKE Prime, and On Stage, a robot performance. Training runs at our Novena and River Valley centres.
Registration closes Saturday 10 October 2026. Places are limited by team size.
Is this right for my child?
Good fit if
- Your child is in primary school in Singapore
- Your child enjoys LEGO robotics, building, problem-solving, or performing and presenting
- Your child can commit to regular training from October to April
- You would like your child to work in a team towards a real competition
Get in touch first if
- You are not sure whether your child is the right age – message us and we will check for you
- Your child is new to robotics – tell us and we will talk you through the best starting point
- You are not sure your child can commit to the full training schedule – tell us and we will talk it through honestly
Choose your RoboCup category: Rescue Line or On Stage
Rescue Line
A robot-mission category. Your child builds and programs a LEGO Education SPIKE Prime robot to follow a line, get past gaps and obstacles, and complete a rescue task on a course, all on its own.
Best for children who enjoy building and solving a problem with a clear goal.
On Stage
A performance category. Your child’s team builds robots with two technical features and puts on a stage performance that the robots run on their own, then explains how it works to the judges.
Best for children who enjoy creativity, storytelling and presenting.
Both categories: 20 sessions x 2 hours = 40 hours. Every child works in a team.
Not sure which suits your child? Tell us their age and what they enjoy and we will recommend one.
Ask us on WhatsAppHow training works
20 sessions of 2 hours each, between October and April, in a team with an Empire AI trainer.
Your child builds and rehearses the robot they will run at the competition (and, in On Stage, the performance).
The last sessions are full practice competitions, so your child has done a complete run-through before the real one.
What your child learns in RoboCup training
Rescue Line
- Build and program a robot with the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime kit that follows a line on its own
- Teach the robot to handle gaps, junctions and obstacles, then complete a rescue task
- Plan how to score the most points and practise the competition rules
- Finish with full practice competitions, just like the real day
On Stage
- Come up with a performance idea and the story behind it
- Build robots with two special features, for example a sensor that makes the robot react to something
- Rehearse a stage show that the robots perform on their own
- Prepare a poster and explain the robots to the judges in an interview
- Finish with full practice competitions and feedback
For parents weighing this up
How will this competition benefit your child?
- Designs, builds and programs a real robot, then watches it run on its own
- Learns teamwork and how to solve problems on the spot
- Learns to explain their build to a judge who has never seen it
- Builds their own robotics project they can document for a school portfolio or DSA application
Robotics and DSA
For children who are exploring Direct School Admission (DSA), this is a strong, recognised competition to add to their portfolio.
Click here to explore Robotics DSA schools and other related talent areas
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
- Robotics19 schools, including ACS (Barker Road) and ACS Independent
- STEM20 schools
- Digital Media5, including Boon Lay Secondary
- Coding4, including Ngee Ann Secondary
- STEAM3, including School of Science and Technology
- Computational Thinking Skills2, including Methodist Girls’ School
- Programming and 3D Modelling2, including Serangoon Secondary
- STEM – Aerospace and Aviation2, including Bukit View Secondary
- InfocommHwa Chong Institution
- Design, Technology and EngineeringGreendale Secondary
- Engineering Innovation and SolutionsYuan Ching Secondary
- Mechatronics, Aeronautics and RoboticsYio Chu Kang Secondary
- Science and TechnologyClementi Town Secondary
- STEM – Creative Engineering and ModellingTampines Secondary
- STEM – AeronauticsCompassvale Secondary
- AerospaceNorthbrooks Secondary
Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- EntrepreneurshipBowen Secondary, Hwa Chong Institution, Outram Secondary
- InnovationBedok South Secondary, Edgefield Secondary
- Social InnovationCedar Girls’ Secondary, Westwood Secondary
Talent areas as listed on MOE SchoolFinder for the 2026 DSA-Sec exercise. Schools review their talent areas each year, so check SchoolFinder for the current list when your child reaches Primary 6.
About Empire AI
Who is teaching your child
RoboCup training fees
One category, one complete season
per child
- All 40 hours of training (20 sessions x 2 hours)
- Use of the competition robot kit for the season (the kit is on loan and is returned after the competition)
- The competition entry fee
Pay in monthly instalments
Spread the $2,140 over six instalments.
| Instalment | Amount |
|---|---|
| 1st instalment (on registration) | $540 |
| 2nd to 6th instalments | $320 each |
| Total | $2,140 |
The first payment of $540 secures your child’s place and covers the competition entry fee. Training does not start until the first payment is made.
We will confirm the payment dates for the 2nd to 6th instalments with you on WhatsApp. Please note: the 6th and final instalment must be paid by March 2027.
RoboCup training schedule and slots
Rescue Line
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 9-11am |
| Sunday | 1-3pm |
| Thursday | 4-6pm |
On Stage
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Saturday | 1-3pm |
| Sunday | 9-11am |
| Friday | 4-6pm |
20 sessions of 2 hours, with training running from October to early April and a break over December.
We send you your child’s full session-by-session calendar when you register.
Competition: 10-12 April 2027 at Science Centre Singapore.
Want to know which slots run at Novena or River Valley? WhatsApp us on 8145 5004 and we will tell you.
Ask us on WhatsAppQuestions parents actually ask
FAQ
What is RoboCup Singapore 2027, and which categories is Empire AI entering?
RoboCup 2027 is a robotics competition in Singapore, held from 10 to 12 April 2027 at Science Centre Singapore. Empire AI is entering teams in two categories of the U12 division, for primary school children: Rescue Line and On Stage.
What is the difference between Rescue Line and On Stage, and which should my child pick?
Rescue Line is a robot-mission category. Your child builds and programs a robot with the LEGO Education SPIKE Prime kit to follow a line, get past gaps and obstacles, and complete a rescue task on a course, all on its own. On Stage is a performance category. Your child’s team builds robots with two technical features and puts on a stage performance that the robots run on their own, then explains the build to the judges. Rescue Line suits children who like building and solving a problem. On Stage suits children who like creativity, storytelling and presenting. Not sure? Tell us your child’s age and interests and we will recommend one.
Does my child need robotics or coding experience?
Training starts from the competition rules and a first basic robot, and builds up over 20 sessions. Children who have done some LEGO robotics or coding before settle in faster. If your child is new to robotics, tell us and we will talk you through the best starting point.
How do I register?
If your child already takes classes with us, WhatsApp us on 8145 5004. If you are new to Empire AI, fill in the short form on this page. If your child has done coding or robotics before, we will invite them for a free 30-minute trial and assessment at our Novena or River Valley centre. Either way, we confirm the category, training slot and centre with you on WhatsApp. Registration closes on Saturday 10 October 2026.
Is the robot kit included, and does my child keep it?
Use of the competition robot kit for the whole season is included in the fee. The kit is on loan, so it is returned after the competition. We will tell you when you register what your child needs to bring to each session.
How many sessions are there and when?
20 training sessions of 2 hours each, 40 hours in total, from October to early April, with a break over December. You choose one of three regular day-and-time slots for your child’s category, and we send the full session-by-session calendar when you register.
Where is training held, and where is the competition?
Training runs at our Novena and River Valley centres. WhatsApp us to check which slots run at which centre. The competition is at Science Centre Singapore on 10-12 April 2027.
Do children compete in teams?
Yes. Children train and compete in teams of four to five.
What does the fee include?
The $2,140 fee covers all 40 hours of training, use of the competition robot kit for the season, and the competition entry fee.
Can we pay monthly?
Yes. You make a first payment of $540 to secure your child’s place, then five monthly payments of $320.
When does registration close?
Saturday 10 October 2026, or earlier if the teams fill up.
Does RoboCup help with a robotics DSA application later on?
Robotics is a DSA talent area at several secondary schools, listed under MOE’s Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics category for Direct School Admission. A completed competition robot and a presentation to judges are the kind of work a STEM portfolio can include. Schools review their talent areas each year, so check MOE SchoolFinder for the current list when your child reaches Primary 6.
Step one
Register your child for RoboCup 2027
Registration closes Saturday 10 October 2026. Places are limited by team size.
Already taking classes with us?
WhatsApp our team on 8145 5004 to register. There is no form to fill in.
WhatsApp us to registerNew to Empire AI?
Fill in the short form below. If your child has done coding or robotics before, we will invite them for a FREE 30-minute trial and assessment at our Novena or River Valley centre before confirming their place.
Fill in the formRather ask a question first?
Ask us on WhatsApp