Future Engineers Power Up Smart Robots at RoboQuest

By: Blessy Sibalon , June 18, 2026

STI College brought innovation to life on May 20, 2026, as it hosted the first ever RoboQuest competition, a team-based competition that challenges students to build and present an innovative robotic solution that addresses a real-world problem.

Teams of BS Computer Engineering(BSCpE) students from select STI Colleges across Metro Manila and nearby Luzon campuses gathered to showcase their creativity, technical skills, and problem-solving abilities in an engaging and collaborative environment.

The competition began with a pre-qualification round, where competing teams submitted a 10-minute video to explain their concept, how their system works, and show their robot in action. Once the official finalists were selected, the remaining rounds were packed into a single, fast-paced day of live pitching and judging.

Competing teams just hours before hitting the pitching stage

The pitching and awarding day started with a two-hour technical setup and verification phase, where teams prepared their robots, underwent safety checks, and ensured everything was ready for demonstration.

Over the next four hours, each team had 30 minutes to pitch their concept, demonstrate their robot in action, and answer questions from the judges. Serving as the panelof judges were Rommel Jay Gadil, Javier Angelo Samson Javier, and Anthony Aldrin V. Beltran.

This phase tested not only the functionality of the systems but also the teams’ ability to communicate their ideas clearly and confidently.

Standing out among the competitors, STI College Calamba was named RoboQuest National Champions with their project Bigas: Rice Variety and Mixed-Batch Detection System.

The Bigas detection system team presenting their project to the panel

“Based on our client interview, we found that the manual inspection of rice grains is difficult,” shared team leader Kate Nicole Mandigma. “It is prone to human error, which can result in mislabelling and may lead to product contamination or quality compromise.”

The device can quickly check rice quality by analyzing size, shape, and texture. Designed for millers and traders, it offers a practical solution for ensuring consistency in rice distribution.

Taking the 1st Runner-Up spot, STI College Muñoz-EDSA impressed the judges with PharmaSakay, a robot designed to deliver medicine straight to patients’ beds.

The team behind the PharmaSakay during the intense pitching round

PharmaSakay combines the words ‘pharmacy’ and ‘sakay’, with a design inspired by the iconic jeepney. The robot reflects accessibility, resilience, and a strong sense of service to the community.

Designed to help nurses save time and energy, it allows them to focus more on patient care and highlights how robotics can make a real impact in healthcare.

For students who are interested in joining competitions like RoboQuest, Darren Relimbo—one of the minds behind the innovative PharmaSakay project shared, “Learn to think outside the box. As engineers, our goal is not just to create something for display, but to develop solutions that can help solve real problems in our communities.”

Meanwhile, third-year BS Computer Engineering students from STI College Las Piñas earned the 2nd Runner-Up spot with their 2D Mapping Robot. Built for disaster response, the robot can enter dangerous or collapsed areas, map safe routes, and detect hazards ahead of rescuers.

The 2D Mapping Robot team pitching their life-saving concept for disaster response

Reflecting on their experience, the team shared how the competition expanded their technical knowledge.

“It helped us deepen our understanding in robotics especially in working with specialized systems used in robotics applications,” Karvin Loyd Felipe shared.

The RoboQuest Champion from STI College Calamba for their Bigas: Rice Variety and Mixed-Batch Detection System

The 1st Runner-Up winner from STI College Muñoz-EDSA showcasing their PharmaSakay project

The 2nd Runner-Up team from STI College Las Piñas celebrating for their 2D Mapping Robot

More than just a competition, RoboQuest became a space for students to collaborate, share ideas, and push their limits. As its first run, it set the bar high and proved that STI students are ready to take on real world challenges.

With energy this strong, RoboQuest is definitely something students can look forward to in the years to come.