For the fifth consecutive edition, our country returns home with a gold medal from the World Robotics Olympiad for high school students – FIRST Global Challenge, held between October 28 and November 1 in Panama City, Panama. The event brought together teams from 191 countries, being one of the most complex educational competitions for students aged 15 to 18.
The Moldovan team was awarded the Gold Medal in the Innovation in Engineering category – “Ustad Ahmad Lahori Award for Innovation in Engineering.”
The distinction recognizes creativity, ingenuity, and unique technical solutions that transform theoretical concepts into functional mechanisms.
The international jury highlighted the complexity of the design and the innovative technical solutions of the robot created by our young participants, particularly noting the elaborated gearbox and the original mechanism designed to lift another robot.
An engineering solution for the environment: the “spider” robot
Based on this year’s global theme – “Eco Equilibrium” – participants were challenged to propose technological solutions that support biodiversity and environmental protection. Inspired by the National Afforestation Program, the Moldovan team designed a “spider” robot capable of planting trees in areas difficult to access for humans or machinery.
The project also earned the students an Honorable Mention in the FIRST Global Innovator Award category, for applying new technologies in support of sustainability.
The idea of the robot took shape through brainstorming sessions, consultations with experts, and countless hours of testing and optimization. The students worked on a compact and efficient design, adjusting the robot’s walking pattern, movement sequences, and leg stability. The final prototype integrates modular legs for balance, a soil detection and drilling system, a seed dispenser, and semi-autonomous posture control — an impressive proof that innovation and science can go hand in hand for a green cause.
A “Spider” Robot for a Greener Planet
In line with this year’s theme, “Eco Equilibrium,” teams were challenged to propose technological solutions supporting biodiversity and environmental protection. Drawing inspiration from Moldova’s National Afforestation Program (2023–2032), the Moldovan students designed a prototype of an ingenious “spider” robot concept intended for planting trees on slopes and degraded terrain that are difficult to access by humans or agricultural machinery.
The robot’s prototype design process combined brainstorming sessions, expert consultations, and extensive testing and optimization. The final version integrates modular legs for balance, a soil detection and drilling system, a seed dispenser, and semi-autonomous posture control—a compact and efficient embodiment of sustainable engineering.
This project also earned the team an Honorable Mention in the FIRST Global Innovator Award category, recognizing their commitment to advancing sustainability through technology.
The Moldovan team
The Republic of Moldova was represented by six students passionate about science and technology: Cristian Andrieș, student at “Ion Creangă” Theoretical High School, Chișinău; David Bragarenco and Mihai Marandici, both representing “Mihail Kogălniceanu” Theoretical High School; Ion Pavelescu, from “Orizont” Theoretical High School, Durlești branch; Cristian Romanciuc, from “George Meniuc” Theoretical High School; and Emilia Țurcan, from “Waldorf” Theoretical High School.
The six were guided by three dedicated mentors: Veronica Eșanu, coordinator and mentor, Innovate Moldova Program; Florin Cazac, mentor at Tekwill Academy Kids; and Nicolae Țurcanu, secondary mentor and student at the Technical University of Moldova (UTM).
Institutional support and partners
The team’s participation was made possible thanks to the financial support provided by the Ministry of Education and Research of the Republic of Moldova, through the National Agency for Curriculum and Evaluation, and the Innovate Moldova Program, funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom.
In addition, the companies Premier Energy Distribution, Grafit, and General Asigurări joined the initiative, while FabLab Chișinău and the Technical University of Moldova offered training spaces and technical support for testing the robot.
The performance of these young people confirms the potential of the Republic of Moldova to form a new generation of specialists capable of transforming ideas into applied technologies. Beyond the gold medal, their success shows that fields such as robotics, electronics, and engineering are already important pillars of the national economy and will continue to strengthen their role in the development of the economy and the attraction of investments in innovation.
Invest Moldova Agency supports the development of these sectors, promoting the Republic of Moldova as a competitive destination for investments in technological and value-added industries.
