What equipment do I need?
Hardware
WRO is a very flexible competition - you can use any suitable robotics hardware (please check with the particular competition category at Categories - WRO Association).
Providers of robotics hardware that are either suitable or do specific kits for WRO competition categories include:
VEX Robotics
ROBOROBO
Matrix Robotics
Fischertechnik
LEGO Education
The manufacturers listed above are those currently available or soon to be available in the UK. Check out our store for the hardware available from our supporting companies where, if bought through us, a proportion of the sale goes to supporting our charitable purposes. Please note that other manufacturers are available
UK suppliers include:
SOFTWARE
You can use any suitable software (please check with the particular competition category at Categories - WRO Association). We would normally recommend using the software associated with your choice of hardware when starting out.
Competition preparation
RoboMission
Competition tables
To prepare you may want to get yourself a practice table. If you take part in FIRST LEGO League you can use the same table for RoboMission.
To make a WRO practice table the dimensions of a WRO competition mat are 2362 mm x 1143 mm. Game tables have the same size or max. +/- 5mm in each dimension. The official height of the borders of a game table is 50mm, higher borders can be used as well.
This can be made from a sturdy sheet of plyboard (e.g. 9mm x 2440mm x 1220mm) with edges of sawn timber (2400mm x 50mm x 25mm)
Mission brick sets
The WRO RoboMission mission brick sets are used to build all the table top challenges (regardless of age group).
These brick sets are used year-on-year - you do not need to buy a new set each year. Please note that LEGO are no longer manufacturing the brick sets though they can still be purchased. The new sets have the same bricks and are manufactured by the KKITC, the company behind Matrix Robotics.
If using the original LEGO sets you need WRO Brick Set #45811 and WRO Expansion Brick Set #45819. They can be ordered from Creative Hut. The new KKITC kits are available through our store.
Instructions for building the missions for each RoboMission age group are at 2026 Season - WRO Association or below
Elementary build instructions - 2026 season
Junior build instructions- 2026 season
Senior build instructions - 2026 season
Mission mats
The mats differ according to the age group - Elementary, Junior or Senior. Make sure you get the right mat for your category!
The print files are at 2026 Season - WRO Association or below
Elementary game mat pdf - 2026 season
Junior game mat pdf - 2026 season
Senior game mat pdf - 2026 season
You can arrange to print your own at the best value you can and, for the purposes of practicing, you can choose the material.
For the regional, national and international tournaments the mats are of a particular specification:
“The game mat must be printed with a matt finish/overlay (without reflecting colours!). The preferred printing material is a PVC tarp with around 510 g/m² (Frontlit). The material of the game mat should not be too soft (e.g. no mesh banner material)”
If you want a competition grade mat again, you can source these yourself, or they can be ordered from Dave at Soar Valley Press Ltd. The prices are per mat and include delivery
Standard 440gsm PVC – £66.70+VAT
Premium 500gsm PVC – £77.50+VAT
PVC free – £80.20+VAT
Future Innovators
Future Innovators is a project-based category that you’ll be presenting in a 2x2m competition booth. You will need to produce:
a prototype robotics solution using any suitable equipment
a presentation display
a report
a video
Future Engineers
This is the advanced robotics challenge.
Competition arena
This is a 3x3m arena with an inner and outer wooden frame, usually on a flat, smooth floor. The inner frame is 1x1m, the outer is 3x3m. These can be made from sawn timber
The obstacles are made from pieces of wood and painted. The paint needs to match the RGB/CMYK codes in the rules
Arena mat
This is white with different coloured markings, measuring 3200mm x 3200mm. The material is not stipulated
The print files are at 2026 Season - WRO Association or below
