WELCOME TO
TAC CHALLENGE 2026
June 15-19, 2026 | Tau Autonomy Center | Norway
where concept meets reality
TAC Challenge — An underwater robotics competition for students all across the globe
Real-world problem solving
Teams from around the world design, build, and operate marine robotic systems to solve real-world engineering challenges, combining innovation, teamwork, and hands-on problem solving. The competition tasks are developed in collaboration with leading industry partners, ensuring the challenges are realistic, relevant, and closely aligned with real-world engineering needs. TAC Challenge bridges theory and practice, giving students practical experience in robotics, marine technology, and systems engineering, where concept truly meets reality.
ROVs, AUVs, USVs, ASVs — and everything in between.
From remotely operated systems to fully autonomous platforms, TAC Challenge covers the full spectrum of marine robotics, including ROVs, AUVs, USVs, and hybrid systems. Teams tackle real-world challenges involving control, navigation, sensing, and mission execution across underwater and surface domains. the competition rules aim to be flecxible, allowing for innovation and new ideas.
Focus on autonomy
TAC Challenge awards additional points for autonomous functionality, encouraging teams to push the boundaries of intelligent systems and decision-making. However, all technical solutions are welcome, from fully manual and remotely operated systems to hybrid and fully autonomous approaches. This ensures the competition remains accessible while still rewarding innovation, ambition, and engineering excellence.
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
INNOVATION
Connecting the world's best STEM students with leading industry partners.
Subsea 
The competition will take place both in the open ocean and indoor pool, solving challenges like:
- Subsea docking to TAC Docking Station
- Pipeline inspection along an unknown route
- Detection of defined objects and images underwater
- Intervention and manipulation of subsea valves
- Navigation and positioning in subsea environments
- Autonomous vehicle behaviour
- Wireless communications and charging
Technical documentation for 2026 will be published soon. It will be similar to the technical documentation from 2024.
Technical documentation for 2024:
Other technical resources are available in the Info Folder.
Program 2026
Schedule
07:00 Breaksfast
08:00 Bus departure from Vaulali to TAC
08:40 Morning Brief
09:00 Pool testing slots open
12:00 Lunch – Pool testing slots close
14:00 Pool testing slots open
16:00 Fist bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
17:00 Dinner is open at Vaulali
17:15 Last bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
18:00 Dinner closes at Vaulali
Schedule
07:00 Breaksfast
08:00 Bus departure from Vaulali to TAC
08:40 Morning Brief
09:00 Pool testing slots open
12:00 Lunch – Pool testing slots are open during lunch
16:00 Fist bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
17:00 Dinner is open at Vaulali
17:15 Last bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
18:00 Dinner closes at Vaulali
Schedule
07:00 Breaksfast
08:00 Bus departure from Vaulali to TAC
08:40 Morning Brief
09:00 Competition and conference starts
12:00 Lunch – Sea missions continue, but pool is closed
13:00 Conference ends and Team Presentations start
14:00 Pool missions continues
16:00 Fist bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
17:00 Dinner is open at Vaulali – All missions are finished for the day
17:15 Last bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
18:00 Dinner closes at Vaulali
Schedule
07:00 Breaksfast
08:00 Bus departure from Vaulali to TAC
08:40 Morning Brief
09:00 Competition starts
10:00 Team Presentations start
12:00 Lunch – All missions continue, Teams Presentations are paused
13:00 Team presentations continue
16:00 Fist bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
17:00 Dinner is open at Vaulali – All missions are finished for the day
17:15 Last bus leaves from TAC to Vaulali
18:00 Dinner closes at Vauali
Schedule
07:00 Breakfast
08:00 Bus departure from Vaulali to the Pulpit Rock hike
13:00 Bus departure from Pulpit Rock to Vaulali
14:00 Award Ceremony
16:00 TAC Challenge is over for 2024. See you next year!
Read the latest news
Whats happening around TAC Challenge?
Whats happening around TAC Challenge?
