IEEE RAS TC-PEBRAS launches video competition for robotics performance evaluation with $250 awards due Dec 12, 2026

The IEEE RAS Technical Committee on Performance Evaluation and Benchmarking of Robotic and Automation Systems (TC-PEBRAS) is holding a video competition!

See webpage: PEBRAS Video Competition 2026

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Participants are tasked with creating a video covering topics in scope of the TC, which includes performance evaluation, metrics, reproducibility, test methods, benchmarking, datasets, and competitions of robotics and automation systems. The goal of the videos is to promote and educate robot performance evaluation and benchmarking to a general audience (not just other scientists/engineers), highlighting the importance of these concepts in making research progress and transitioning robotics technologies from the lab to the field. Videos should be created specifically for this competition and can feature narrated commentary, interviews with researchers and developers, and demonstrations of PEBRAS topics in action, including footage from competitions and benchmarking exercises.

Participation

The TC-PEBRAS 2026 Video Competition is open to everyone with an interest in robotics, automation, and performance evaluation! We encourage junior and senior researchers to participate. You are not required to be an IEEE RAS member to participate. Your video could be motivated by questions including:

• What current gaps are there in test and evaluation of robotics and automation? What metrics are missing? What new capabilities do we need to measure?

• Are there existing test methods and evaluation practices you use in your research that you find particularly useful? Why or why not?

• Have you participated in a robotics challenge or competition? What was your experience like? How can others be involved?

• Have you tried reproducing the results of a robotics research paper? How did the results compare? Was it difficult?

Videos should be no longer than 3 minutes and can be uploaded to YouTube (public or unlisted) for submission over e-mail to [email protected] with “TC-PEBRAS 2026 Video Competition” in the subject line by no later than December 12, 2026.

Awards

A total of four $250 awards will be given out across two tracks with a 1st and 2nd place designated for each:

1. General PEBRAS scope: covering any robotics domain related to PEBRAS scope, using footage from your lab, a conference, a competition, or elsewhere.

2. Humanoids 2026 activities: covering activities taken place at the Humanoids 2026 conference, including workshops, competitions, and exhibit displays.

Awards will be granted in the form of reimbursement for expenses related to conference travel (e.g., airfare, hotels). Digital and printed certificates will also be sent to the winners.

All videos will be posted to the IEEE RAS TC-PEBRAS website ( Performance Evaluation & Benchmarking of Robotic and Automation Systems - IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Website ) as part of a larger website update, coming soon!

Schedule

• November 5, 2026: Competition opens

• December 12, 2026: Submissions due by 11:59:59 Anywhere on Earth (AoE) via e-mail to [email protected]

• December 17, 2026: Winners announced

Please e-mail [email protected] with any questions or comments. We look forward to seeing your videos!