USTEM Connect

Competitions

Competitions in robotics, drones, space and artificial intelligence. Registration is through USTEM Connect.

Students from Kazakhstan with a FIRST Tech Challenge robot

Flagship events

  • Almaty Tech Cup

    Almaty’s annual championship in robotics, engineering and AI.

    Next: June 2027 · FIRST Tech Challenge Premier Event · 96 teams

    2026 · Almaty Arena · 3,000+ participants · 14 disciplines · 5 countries

  • Alem Tech Fest

    A technology festival in Astana: FIRST, RoboCup, drone racing and Physical AI.

    Next: February 2027 · Kazakhstan Central Asia FIRST Championship 2027

    2026 · Astana, EXPO · 5,000+ participants · 7 countries

  • AI Digital Bridge

    The region’s largest technology forum: the USTEM Foundation robotics zone and FIRST competitions.

    2026 · EXPO, Astana · 1–3 October

    • AgeAges 10–18 · FLL Future Editions and FTC

Competition tracks

  • FIRST Robotics

    Team robotics and the global FIRST community.

    • Ages 4–18

  • Alem Drone League

    Drone technology and precision flying.

    • Junior — up to 15 · Senior — 16+

  • WSO

    Space engineering: CanSat, CubeSat, rovers.

    • School students, grades 5–11 (12)

  • Future Race

    Autonomous mobility and engineering.

    • Ages 16+ · students

  • Physical AI

    Humanoid robots and artificial intelligence in the physical world.

  • RoboCup

    Autonomous soccer and rescue robots.

  • ABU Robocon

    International student robotics.

    • Students of universities, colleges and polytechnics