The IROS 2026 Forceps-based Fine Manipulation (FFM) Challenge aims to advance robotic manipulation of very small objects, a task that remains difficult for robots but essential in many domains. Inspired by surgical robotics, the competition extends beyond medical applications by promoting accessible, forceps-based systems using EndoWrist instruments combined with collaborative robot arms. This approach overcomes the limited availability of traditional platforms like the da Vinci Research Kit (dVRK), enabling broader participation and fostering innovation across research communities. The competition emphasizes three key areas: hardware development, teleoperation, and autonomous control. Two benchmark tasks will evaluate performance: (1) threading an elastic wire through hoops in the correct order and direction, and (2) grasping and placing beads on posts of varying heights. These tasks test precision, coordination, and contact-rich manipulation, and are designed to be reproducible across multiple platforms. Participants from academia, industry, and independent groups will compete in both teleoperation and autonomy tracks under standardized rules and scoring. The event includes setup, practice, and competition days. Overall, the FFM Challenge seeks to democratize fine manipulation research, encourage cross-platform comparison, and accelerate progress in AI-driven robotics by providing shared tasks, infrastructure, and benchmarking opportunities.
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May 14, 2026: Website created
Competition Days during IROS: TBA
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