Brazil's Amigos Droids Win FIRST Championship 2026 Inspire AwardThe Brazilian robotics team Amigos Droids has made history by winning the prestigious Inspire Award at the FIRST Championship 2026, the world's largest robotics tournament held in Houston, Texas, USA. This marks the first time a team from Brazil has secured this top honor.
The Inspire Award recognizes the best overall team across all judging criteria, including engineering, programming, management, sustainability, connection with the engineering community, and social impact. The Amigos Droids distinguished themselves with an innovative robot and a project dedicated to teaching robotics to young people from low-income backgrounds.
A key component of their success is the Fx4 educational program, which has already impacted more than 1,300 young people, primarily from public schools and vulnerable communities. This initiative underscores the team's commitment to using technology as a tool for social development and education.
Adding to the team's achievements, 15-year-old Sofia Lana, a member of Amigos Droids, became the first Brazilian to receive the individual Leadership Award. This award honors young individuals for their leadership within the engineering community.
The victory of the Amigos Droids at the FIRST Championship 2026 highlights Brazil's growing presence in global robotics and showcases how STEM education can drive both technological innovation and meaningful social change.