UAE students to design and program autonomous robots at FIRST® LEGO® League hosted by ATLAB
School students across the UAE are set to design, build and program autonomous robots as the FIRST® LEGO® League (FLL), a global education technology competition, returns with a month-long series of events starting January 10, 2026, in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah.
Hosted by ATLAB, a subsidiary of Centena Group, in collaboration with FIRST® (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) and LEGO® Education, the competition aims to provide hands-on learning experiences that apply science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) concepts to real-world problem-solving. The initiative aligns with the UAE’s broader efforts to develop a future-ready workforce and expand investment in advanced technological innovation.
The 2026 edition of FIRST® LEGO® League UAE will be held under two categories, Challenge and Explore, and is expected to see strong participation from 3,134 students. A total of 395 teams representing schools from across the country are projected to take part.
Nilesh Korgaonkar, CEO of ATLAB, said the competition plays a vital role in translating national technology ambitions into practical action. He noted that strategies such as the UAE Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, We the UAE 2031 and the Centennial 2071 vision place innovation and scientific advancement at the core of sustainable economic growth and global competitiveness. According to Korgaonkar, building strong STEM foundations early helps shape mindsets, encouraging critical thinking, collaboration and purpose-driven problem-solving among young learners.
The Challenge category, designed for students aged 9 to 16, will require participants to apply engineering principles, coding skills and strategic thinking while working collaboratively under time-bound conditions. The finale for this category is scheduled for February 7, 2026.
Meanwhile, the Explore category targets younger students aged 6 to 10 and introduces them to STEM learning through guided, hands-on activities. Participants will use the LEGO® Education SPIKE™ Essential Set to build models, develop basic programming skills and propose solutions to real-life challenges, while learning the fundamentals of teamwork, creativity and responsible innovation. The Explore finale will take place on February 8, 2026.
