The U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) has launched a national competition for the development of robotics technologies in the country’s transport sector.
Announced by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy, the DOT Bots Challenge will award up to 1.5 million USD in prize funding to support projects that apply robotics to public transportation needs, including infrastructure inspection, maintenance, construction and other operational activities.
The competition is structured in two stages. During the first stage, participants will submit concept papers outlining robotics solutions for public-sector transport challenges. Up to five finalists will each receive 100,000 USD and progress to the second stage.
In the second stage, finalists will develop functional prototypes of their proposed technologies. The overall winner will receive a 1 million USD prize after demonstrating a working robotics solution in a relevant or operational environment. Existing commercial platforms may be adapted, or participants may develop entirely new technologies. Virtual prototypes will not be accepted.
The initiative is intended to support projects that could improve transport safety, efficiency, affordability and project delivery. Robotics technologies are already being deployed across the sector for activities such as safety inspections, maintenance and construction.
The challenge is intended to encourage innovators to develop robotics applications for roads, railways and aviation.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said:From supersonic flight to autonomous vehicles to delivery drones, American innovation is already reshaping how we think about transportation. To ensure America stays ahead of the race, we have to invest in our country’s best and brightest ideas – including robotics. I encourage all innovators to take advantage of this exciting opportunity and join the challenge. Together, we will revolutionise our roads, runways and railroads.
The competition is now open to eligible participants. Submissions must be received by 10 August 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Stage One finalists are expected to be announced in autumn 2026, with the overall winner due to be named in autumn 2027. A webinar for prospective participants will take place on 8 July 2026.
Alongside the competition, USDOT has published a Strategy Report on the State of Robotics in Transportation, outlining recent developments in robotics, existing departmental investments and opportunities and challenges associated with wider adoption of robotics technologies across the transport network.
