A competition model is only considered successful if it performs exactly as designed. At the final round of the MECA - Mitsubishi Electric Cup Automation 2026, the six finalist teams were required not only to present their projects but also to demonstrate their systems in real time before a judging panel of 18 experts. The smart medical robot developed by the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) impressed the judges and claimed the championship, earning the right to represent Vietnam at MECA Global 2026 in Japan.
The V-MediGo team from the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City won First Prize with the project "Smart Medical Robot System for Patient Care in Hospitals."
On the morning of July 11, the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City hosted the Final Round of the MECA - Mitsubishi Electric Cup Automation 2026, featuring the six best teams that advanced from the national semi-finals. As the competition host for the first time, IUH became the meeting point for innovative automation solutions developed to address practical challenges in manufacturing, healthcare, and environmental sustainability.
After several hours of competition, the V-MediGo team from the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City was awarded First Prize for its project, "Smart Medical Robot System for Patient Care in Hospitals." The victory earned the team the honor of representing Vietnam at MECA Global 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan this September.Two Second Prizes were awarded to the TĐH-TNUT team from Thai Nguyen University of Technology for the project "Industrial Contactor Assembly and Inspection Machine," and the BKET-TEMPURA team from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology for the project "Natural Language-Based Intelligent Frying System."
After several hours of competition, the V-MediGo team from the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City was awarded First Prize for its project, "Smart Medical Robot System for Patient Care in Hospitals." The victory earned the team the honor of representing Vietnam at MECA Global 2026, scheduled to be held in Japan this September.Two Second Prizes were awarded to the TĐH-TNUT team from Thai Nguyen University of Technology for the project "Industrial Contactor Assembly and Inspection Machine," and the BKET-TEMPURA team from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology for the project "Natural Language-Based Intelligent Frying System."
Two Second Prizes were presented to the TĐH-TNUT team from Thai Nguyen University of Technology and the BKET-TEMPURA team from Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology.
Three Third Prizes were awarded to Hung Yen University of Technology and Education for its solution to optimize the mechanical design and control of a protective fruit foam bag production system; Hanoi University of Industry for its automated product sorting and warehousing system; and Tra Vinh University for its circular water treatment and reuse model for shrimp farming.
Three Third Prizes were awarded to Hung Yen University of Technology and Education, Hanoi University of Industry, and Tra Vinh University.
In addition to the main awards, the Organizing Committee presented nine special awards recognizing outstanding achievements in design, innovation, practical application, environmental sustainability, teamwork, and community contribution, highlighting the diversity of ideas and approaches demonstrated by the competing teams.
Unlike many conventional research competitions, MECA 2026 required each team not only to present its concept but also to demonstrate the model's actual operation during the competition. After the draw for presentation order, each team was given 10 minutes to present its project, followed by a five-minute technical question-and-answer session before a panel of 18 experts from industry and academia.
While one team member delivered the presentation on stage, the remaining members simultaneously operated the system at the exhibition area on the ground floor. The entire process was broadcast live on a large screen, allowing the judges to observe both the presentation and the automation system's real-time performance.
Throughout the demonstrations, the judging panel raised numerous technical questions, requiring teams to explain operating principles, respond to unexpected situations, and demonstrate the stability of their solutions. Only those systems that functioned exactly as designed and met the criteria for innovation, automation capability, and practical applicability impressed the judges.
The final results were calculated based on 60% of the scores from the National Semi-final Round and 40% from the Final Round. In addition to technical excellence, the judges also evaluated presentation skills, critical thinking, time management, and each team's ability to convincingly defend its project.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai, Rector of the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, stated that it was a great honor for the University to be selected by Mitsubishi Electric Vietnam to host this year's competition, particularly as the event coincided with IUH's 70th anniversary.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai, the greatest value of MECA lies not only in identifying the champion but also in providing students with opportunities to access advanced technologies, develop creative thinking, strengthen teamwork, and enhance their ability to solve real industrial problems. These competencies are becoming increasingly essential for engineers in the era of smart manufacturing and digital transformation.
Unlike many conventional research competitions, MECA 2026 required each team not only to present its concept but also to demonstrate the model's actual operation during the competition. After the draw for presentation order, each team was given 10 minutes to present its project, followed by a five-minute technical question-and-answer session before a panel of 18 experts from industry and academia.
While one team member delivered the presentation on stage, the remaining members simultaneously operated the system at the exhibition area on the ground floor. The entire process was broadcast live on a large screen, allowing the judges to observe both the presentation and the automation system's real-time performance.
Throughout the demonstrations, the judging panel raised numerous technical questions, requiring teams to explain operating principles, respond to unexpected situations, and demonstrate the stability of their solutions. Only those systems that functioned exactly as designed and met the criteria for innovation, automation capability, and practical applicability impressed the judges.
The final results were calculated based on 60% of the scores from the National Semi-final Round and 40% from the Final Round. In addition to technical excellence, the judges also evaluated presentation skills, critical thinking, time management, and each team's ability to convincingly defend its project.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai, Rector of the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, stated that it was a great honor for the University to be selected by Mitsubishi Electric Vietnam to host this year's competition, particularly as the event coincided with IUH's 70th anniversary.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai, the greatest value of MECA lies not only in identifying the champion but also in providing students with opportunities to access advanced technologies, develop creative thinking, strengthen teamwork, and enhance their ability to solve real industrial problems. These competencies are becoming increasingly essential for engineers in the era of smart manufacturing and digital transformation.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Hong Hai, Rector of the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City, delivered remarks at the event.
Representing Mitsubishi Electric Vietnam, Mr. Tsuyoshi Hidaka, General Manager of the Business Administration Division, stated that developing human resources is an integral part of the company's long-term strategy in Vietnam. In addition to providing automation solutions, Mitsubishi Electric continues to strengthen partnerships with universities through education, technology transfer, and academic competitions such as MECA, bringing students closer to real industrial requirements.
Mr. Tsuyoshi Hidaka, General Manager of the Business Administration Division, Mitsubishi Electric Vietnam Co., Ltd., shared his remarks during the competition.
Amid the rapid advancement of digital transformation, automation has become a fundamental technology across a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, logistics, high-tech agriculture, healthcare, and smart cities. At the same time, the new generation of AI-powered robots is becoming increasingly capable of recognizing, learning, and assisting people more effectively.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoai Quoc, Vice President of the Vietnam Automation Association, noted that these developments require a workforce equipped not only with strong technical expertise but also with innovative thinking and the ability to solve practical challenges. "Investing in today's students is investing in Vietnam's competitiveness over the next 10 to 20 years," he emphasized.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoai Quoc, Vice President of the Vietnam Automation Association, noted that these developments require a workforce equipped not only with strong technical expertise but also with innovative thinking and the ability to solve practical challenges. "Investing in today's students is investing in Vietnam's competitiveness over the next 10 to 20 years," he emphasized.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Le Hoai Quoc, Vice President of the Vietnam Automation Association, delivered remarks at the event.
Since its inception in 2020, the competition has expanded from a single participating university to 15 universities in 2026. This remarkable growth demonstrates the increasing influence of the competition and the effectiveness of industry-academia collaboration in developing high-quality human resources for the automation industry
