2023 - WRO International Competition
- Raygine Francois
- Nov 6, 2023
- 2 min read
Haiti Makes Its Debut at the
World Robot Olympiad in Panama
In 2023, Haiti took a bold and inspiring leap onto the global stage by participating in the World Robot Olympiad (WRO) for the very first time. The international robotics competition, held in Panama City under the theme “Connecting the World,” brought together young innovators from across the globe to solve real-world challenges using robotics and creative thinking.
And for the first time ever, Haiti was among them.
Representing Haiti: A Milestone in STEM Education
The team representing Haiti was formed through the efforts of Haiti STEM Alliance, a national initiative of Pennies for Haiti aimed at introducing coding, robotics, and digital literacy into public schools across the country. Their participation in the WRO 2023 marked a historic moment—not just for the students, but for the future of STEM in Haiti.
Traveling to Panama as first-time competitors, the team demonstrated not only technical skill but also tremendous heart, resilience, and creativity.
The Project: Tech Boat – Connecting the Docks
The Haitian team’s entry, called “Tech Boat,” was designed to address one of the core challenges of global logistics—efficiently managing cargo at shipping docks. Their robot boat was built to:
Identify containers by color,
Categorize them based on pre-programmed logistics criteria,
Navigate a dock space, and
Place each container into its designated area.
The project combined mechanical design, sensor technology, and autonomous navigation—all created by students from a country where access to robotics tools remains a challenge. Their solution demonstrated not only technical understanding but a vision for how robotics can address real economic and infrastructure issues.
A Moment of Pride and a Vision for the Future
While the competition was fierce, Haiti’s presence was powerful. The students walked away with more than participation—they gained international exposure, confidence, and the realization that their ideas can truly connect with the world.
Their performance in Panama laid the foundation for future national qualifiers, and inspired dozens of new schools across Haiti to begin forming their own robotics teams in anticipation of the next WRO cycle.
As the National Organizer for WRO in Haiti, Haiti STEM Alliance is now building the next generation of tech leaders and innovators by expanding access, training teachers, and mobilizing student teams nationwide.
What's Next?
The 2023 debut is just the beginning. With your support, we can equip more teams, reach more communities, and ensure that Haitian youth continue to shine on the world stage.
If you'd like to help fund our upcoming robotics competitions or sponsor a team, contact us at:
Together, we’re connecting Haiti to the world—one robot at a time.
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