Breaking news

Robotex Cyprus Winners Secure Spots At Global Finals As Festival Showcases The Future Of Robotics

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

July 6, 2026

Robotex Cyprus 2026 attracted thousands of visitors to the University of Cyprus Sports Centre on June 27 and 28, reinforcing its position as the island’s largest robotics and STEAM event.

A National Platform For Innovation

The ninth Robotex Cyprus Educational and Sports Robotics Competition brought together around 700 participants, including school pupils, university students and adults, who competed in more than 20 robotics challenges designed to test engineering, programming, problem-solving and teamwork skills.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

The event also highlighted the government’s focus on digital innovation. Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou addressed participants through a message delivered by the ministry’s Director of Cybersecurity, Marios Tziapouras. Research and Innovation Foundation Vice-President Andreas Efstathiou also attended, reflecting the organisation’s role as Diamond Sponsor and its support for developing Cyprus’ innovation ecosystem.

Opening remarks were delivered by Chrysis Georgiou, Chairman of the University of Cyprus Department of Computer Science, and Fotini Georgiou, a member of the Robotex Cyprus Scientific Committee and board member of IET Cyprus, representing the event’s co-organisers.

Cyprus Strengthens Its International Role

Robotex International CEO Nathan Metsala attended the festival, highlighting Cyprus’ long-standing role in the competition’s global network. Cyprus was the first country to establish Robotex as a national competition, while Metsala announced that the 2026 Robotex International finals will be hosted in South Korea—the first time the event will take place outside Estonia.

Winning teams from Cyprus have now qualified for the international finals, continuing the country’s strong record in recent editions of the competition.

Robotics Meets Real-World Challenges

This year’s primary school teams developed projects under the theme “Sustainable Development, Green Island,” with many incorporating artificial intelligence to tackle environmental challenges.

Across the two-day event, competitors took part in disciplines including Line Following, Folkrace, Maze Solving, Bowling, Archery, SUMO robot battles, Rally and robotic shot put, alongside two drone competitions focused on autonomous flight and programming.

The annual Girls Firefighting competition also returned, supporting greater participation of girls in STEAM education.

Technology Beyond The Competition

Alongside the contests, visitors explored a wide range of interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. STEAM Cyprus showcased Drone Soccer, while the Planetarium team introduced new demonstrations focused on space, astronomy and AI applications.

The programme also featured the popular Human versus Robot chess challenge, organised with the KAISSA Chess Club, where SenseRobot competed against visitors of different ages and skill levels.

Throughout the weekend, participants experienced virtual reality, 3D printing and robotics demonstrations, while Robo.com.cy presented two Cyprus-developed products, Kypruino and RoboRover Core, and operated the technical support centre for competing teams.

A Growing Ecosystem

Robotex Cyprus was organised by the Cyprus Computer Society in cooperation with the University of Cyprus, the Cyprus Youth Organisation and IET Cyprus, under the auspices of the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy.

Support came from a broad network of public and private organisations, including the Research and Innovation Foundation, the Bank of Cyprus, XM, Neapolis University, Novatex Solutions, ZEBRA Consultants, NETinfo and ICDL. Organisers also confirmed that secondary school students will continue to have access to scholarship opportunities through partnerships with several universities.

With growing international recognition, strong participation and an expanding focus on artificial intelligence and real-world problem solving, Robotex Cyprus continues to evolve beyond a robotics competition into one of the country’s leading platforms for nurturing future engineers, innovators and technology leaders. The next milestone for this year’s winners will be the Robotex Cyprus Awards Ceremony in October.

The Future Forbes Realty Global Properties

Cyprus Promotes Ship Registry In Asia As Fleet Grows To 25-Year High

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

October 19, 2026

Cyprus is stepping up efforts to attract international shipowners, with Shipping Deputy Minister Marina Hadjimanolis holding high-level meetings in China and Japan as the country’s ship register reaches its strongest level in 25 years.

Running from October 14 to 29, the Asian mission focuses on expanding commercial ties, promoting the advantages of the Cyprus flag and strengthening cooperation with shipowners, shipbuilders and maritime authorities.

Follow THE FUTURE on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and Telegram

China Meetings Target Shipowners And Industry Leaders

In Shanghai, Hadjimanolis met Wang Qian, vice-director of the Shanghai Pudong New Area Commission of Commerce and Shipping Service Office, ahead of the North Bund International Shipping Forum on October 20–21. Organisers expect around 4,000 participants from more than 50 countries and regions, with discussions covering international shipping, maritime safety, financing, insurance, digitalisation and the transition to cleaner fuels.

The minister also met representatives of Dalian Trawind Shipping and Fortuna Shipbrokers Inc. to present the Cyprus registry’s advantages and explore registration opportunities for vessel owners. On October 20, she is scheduled to speak at the 10th Annual Capital Link International Shipping Forum in Pudong, joining a ministerial roundtable on international maritime leadership.

A visit to Zhoushan is also planned for the naming ceremony of Kypros Island, a new vessel for the Cyprus register owned by Safe Bulkers. Launched in June at the Tsuneishi shipyard on Xiushan Island, the 81,200-deadweight-tonne methanol dual-fuel bulk carrier is scheduled for delivery at the end of October. According to the Zhejiang Maritime Safety Administration, sea trials were due to take place between October 11 and 16.

Japan Engagements Strengthen Maritime Ties

Before travelling to China, Hadjimanolis met Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, Kenta Aoshima, in Tokyo on October 16. Her programme also included meetings with senior representatives of Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Nihon Shipyard, NYK Line, ITOCHU Corporation and SSY Projects, focusing on cooperation with Japanese shipowners, shipbuilders and shipping operators.

At the 5th Annual Capital Link Japan Maritime Forum, held at the Tokyo American Club, Hadjimanolis discussed maritime leadership, competitiveness, policy and international cooperation with Capital Link founder and president Nicolas Bornozis. Other sessions examined Japan’s shipbuilding strategy, new-vessel financing and the development of ammonia-powered ships.

The Tokyo programme followed a Cyprus Ship Registry reception on October 15 for representatives of Japan’s maritime and business communities. Hadjimanolis outlined the country’s shipping services and regulatory framework, while Polys Hajioannou, chief executive of Safe Bulkers and president of the Cyprus Union of Shipowners, delivered the opening remarks.

Registry Reaches Highest Level In 25 Years

At the reception, Hadjimanolis said the Cyprus Ship Registry had grown by 27% since September 2023, reaching its highest level in a quarter of a century. She attributed the expansion to efforts to improve competitiveness, simplify administrative procedures and provide more responsive services to international shipowners.

Cyprus’s inclusion on the White Lists of the Paris and Tokyo Memoranda of Understanding was another point highlighted by the minister. These lists reflect the safety and inspection performance of ships flying a national flag.

Existing commercial links with Japan include Safe Bulkers’ announcement in May of four Japanese-built dry bulk vessels scheduled for delivery in 2029.

South Korea Next On The Maritime Agenda

Hadjimanolis’ mission will continue in South Korea, where she is expected to attend the 2026 World Maritime Day Parallel Event and Korea Maritime Week alongside International Maritime Organization Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez and government representatives from several countries.

Her programme will also include discussions on implementing international maritime conventions and bilateral talks aimed at strengthening Cyprus’s shipping ties with South Korea.

The Asian outreach comes as maritime centres compete for shipowners amid geopolitical uncertainty, fleet renewal and pressure to reduce shipping emissions. For Cyprus, the strategy combines promotion of its registry with closer relationships across Asia’s shipbuilding and shipping sectors.