India’s 'DroneMan' team has secured the top prize at the SLIIT Robo Fest 2026, emerging champion in the Open Category Drone Championship after showcasing advanced autonomous drone technology and precision engineering.

Represented by M. Aravind Kumar and Sreeman from the Droneman Academy, the Indian team outperformed more than 30 competitors to claim the championship title and a cash prize of Rs. 100,000.

DroneMan stands out among regional competitors

Team DroneMan impressed the judging panel through its performance with an autonomous drone, demonstrating aerial control, engineering precision and innovative technological capabilities.

Competing against participants from across the region, the Indian team successfully navigated the challenges of the Open Category Drone Championship, ultimately securing first place in one of the key competitions at this year’s Robo Fest.

The victory also places the spotlight on the growing capabilities of India’s young drone and robotics innovators and their participation in international technology competitions.

Major platform for robotics and innovation

Organized by the Sri Lanka Institute of Information Technology (SLIIT), Robo Fest has developed into a major platform for students, engineers, researchers, hobbyists and robotics enthusiasts to showcase their technological skills.

SLIIT, which has been involved in STEM education for more than 16 years, has used the competition to promote innovation and provide young engineers with opportunities to compete and collaborate.

Since its launch, Robo Fest has attracted more than 2,500 participants and competitors from over 400 schools and colleges, according to the organizers.

The 2026 edition featured two major competitions — the Open Category Drone Championship and the Rover Competition — with challenges designed to test participants’ engineering knowledge, creativity, autonomous systems and problem-solving abilities.

Indian team claims international recognition

For DroneMan, the championship represents a significant achievement on an international competition platform. The team’s success in Sri Lanka also demonstrates the increasingly regional nature of robotics and drone competitions, where emerging engineers and technology enthusiasts can test their innovations against competitors from different countries.

The team’s autonomous drone technology and disciplined execution were key features of its winning performance, according to the event organizers.

The success of India’s DroneMan team added an international dimension to this year’s competition, with the team’s victory becoming one of the highlights of the 2026 edition.

M. Aravind Kumar and Sreeman, representing Droneman Academy, will return to India with the Open Category Drone Championship title after emerging ahead of more than 30 competing teams at SLIIT Robo Fest 2026.