The student robotics team Roboheads from the Department of Digital Systems at the University of Thessaly earned a bronze medal at the RoboRAVE International World Championship, held in Beijing, China, from August 24–26, 2025. The competition, one of the world’s largest robotics events, challenges teams to design and program autonomous robots while promoting STEM skills, creativity, and teamwork.
After winning first place at RoboRAVE Greece in April 2025, the Roboheads advanced to the global stage, competing in the Fire Fighting category. Their autonomous robot successfully navigated a dynamic course, detected flames using AI-powered vision, and extinguished them with a custom-built fan system.
Greek Ambassador to China, Dr. Evgenios Kalpyris, attended the event and congratulated the team for their achievement and representation of Greece on the international stage.
The Roboheads team members who represented with distinction the NG-DSA Lab, the Department of Digital Systems, and the University of Thessaly are:
- Dimitrios Papamargaritis,
- Dimitrios Dimitriadis,
- Konstantinos Tzokas, and
- Charalampos Avgerinos.
The University of Thessaly expressed gratitude to its leadership, including Rector Professor Charalampos Billinis and Vice-Rector Professor Chryssi Laspidou, as well as the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center One Planet Thessaly, for their support in covering travel and accommodation expenses. The team also thanks:
- The President of the Department of Digital Systems, Professor Vasileios Gerogiannis, for his continuous support of all student teams
- The Director of NG-DSA Lab, Associate Professor Konstantinos Chaikalis
- NG-DSA Lab members, Assistant Professor Apostolos Xenakis, and Dr. Dimitrios Kosmanos, instructor of the course Robotic Systems in the Department’s curriculum, for their unwavering support and scientific guidance.
Finally, Roboheads extend special thanks to RoboRAVE Greece and its Director, Mr. Ioannis Baras, for their collaboration, systematic organization, and successful support of the team and all Greek teams participating in the international competition.
On their part, the University of Thessaly, One Planet Thessaly, the Department of Digital Systems, and the NG-DSA Lab warmly congratulate the students for this outstanding achievement and thank everyone who contributed to the success of the student team.
