JBC Open Challenge
Hong Kong
Levels, kit specifications, international certification and registration — the complete guide to entering the Hong Kong Open.
Levels & Equipment
Enlightenment
LEGO or LEGO-style large-piece building blocks (e.g. LEGO 9656).
Explorer
Motorized motion builds driven by a motor (e.g. LEGO 9686).
Beginner
Fully autonomous robots with no more than 4 controller ports (e.g. WeDo 2.0, LEGO SPIKE Essential 45345, Matatalab, VEX 123, VEX GO).
Rookie
Fully autonomous robots — remote control of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Advanced
Fully autonomous robots — remote control of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Expert
Fully autonomous robots — remote control of any kind is strictly prohibited.
Botball Explorer
KIPR robot kit or other eligible autonomous platforms, including LEGO SPIKE Prime, VEX IQ and Makeblock, subject to the current competition rules.
Robot size and count follow the challenge description in each division's rules.
Skill Recommendations
| Division | Recommended skills |
|---|---|
| Enlightenment | Build with large-piece gear sets (e.g. LEGO 9656); choose gear types flexibly and apply gear-transmission principles with confidence. |
| Explorer | Build with small-piece sets (e.g. LEGO 9686); familiar with transmission structures and able to complete object-moving tasks. |
| Beginner | First contact with hardware programming; master sequential logic; understand robot or vehicle construction with a strong sense of direction; program the robot's drive wheels and its route and distance. |
| Rookie | First contact with computer programming; confident with sequence and loop structures; able to control mechanisms beyond the drive wheels (simple task-based modifications) and starting to design robot arms. |
| Advanced | Understand sensor principles and programmatic control; confident with the three core structures (sequence, branch, loop); multi-motor control; able to design, build and program a robot arm (grip and lift). |
| Expert | Confident in structural design, assembly and modification; confident with light, distance, touch and colour sensors, including line following; multi-motor control; able to design, build and program a robot arm (grip, lift and rotate). |
| Botball Explorer | For students with competition experience: open-ended mission design and a free choice of robot platform (e.g. LEGO SPIKE Prime, VEX IQ) give students room to design more complex solutions, deepening programming and engineering-design skills through the full engineering process — from concept to tested iteration — and linking classroom knowledge to real-world automation. |
Certificates & Advancement
- Teams completing the required number of challenges in each open division receive the corresponding international "Future Engineer" or "Explorer Engineer" certificate.
- Teams holding the "Future Engineer" certification receive a priority invitation to the Junior Botball Global Finals (USA and China sessions), allocated first-come-first-served — registration opens at 12:00 noon on 1 April 2027.
- Rookie, Advanced and Expert levels also award 1st–3rd place overall.
- Teams of fewer than 2 members, and students absent on the day, cannot qualify for the world finals; a team may compete without all members present, but absent members receive no certificate and no refund.
- Medals are presented on awards day; certificates are mailed within one month after the competition.
Fee Schedule
| Level | HK JBC Open fee (per student) |
|---|---|
| Enlightenment / Explorer | $580 |
| Beginner | $680 |
| Rookie / Advanced / Expert | $780 |
| Botball Explorer | $1,280 |
Registration in Four Steps
Fill in the online form
Click "Register Now" below to open the registration form, fill it in and submit. Schools entering more than one team should contact us for a group registration form.
Receive the invoice
The organizer emails the entry-fee invoice to the teacher in charge.
Pay within 14 days
Follow the invoice and pay within 14 days of the invoice date. If you need an e-receipt or a paper receipt, note it in the registration form.
Confirmation
Once payment is received and verified, a registration confirmation is sent to the email you provided.
Ready to compete?
Register now — the deadline is 1 February 2027.
Register Now →
Full Official Rules
This page is a summary. The full rules — mission descriptions, challenge counts, formats, penalties and referee decisions — are governed by the official document.