SeoulTech Robotics Team Wins Grand Prize at CJ Logistics Future Technology Challenge

The 'UOS-RoboStack' team from Seoul Metropolitan University's Department of Mechanical and Information Engineering has clinched the Grand Prize at the 6th Future Technology Challenge, hosted by CJ Logistics. The competition, which focuses on innovative logistics solutions using robots, AI, and big data, saw a fierce contest among 208 teams from universities nationwide.

'UOS-RoboStack' impressed the judges with their advanced AI algorithm designed for "random palletizing." This system efficiently determines the optimal order and position for stacking cargo of varying shapes and sizes, ensuring stability and maximizing space within logistics environments. Their approach effectively combined reinforcement learning policies with a heuristic algorithm that prioritizes stacking stability, earning them top marks and industry recognition.

Alongside the Grand Prize winners, another team from the same university's robotics lab, 'UOS-CCTV,' secured third place in the competition. The Grand Prize comes with a 10 million won cash reward and preferential treatment in CJ Logistics' hiring process, including exemptions from the initial document screening and first interview. The third-place team also receives a document screening exemption.

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The process of solving real-world logistics problems using the robot control and learning algorithm capabilities honed in our lab was very meaningful.

Team leader Hong Soo-hyun expressed pride in applying the lab's expertise in robot control and learning algorithms to solve real-world logistics challenges. Despite a tight schedule overlapping with the RoboCup competition, the team's dedication, along with the guidance from their professor and seniors, led to this success. Professor Hwang Myung-joong highlighted the students' rigorous logical analysis and focus on practical application, emphasizing the department's commitment to nurturing AI and robotics talent capable of tackling cutting-edge industrial problems.

This achievement adds to Seoul Metropolitan University's growing reputation in advanced technology fields. The mechanical and information engineering department's students have consistently demonstrated their prowess, recently winning the 2026 RoboCup ARM Challenge, the 2025 Autonomous Robot Race, and the 2025 POSCO Industrial AI-Robot Challenge, among other accolades.

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I am delighted that the students' efforts, which meticulously refined their technological prowess with a focus on logical analysis and field applicability amidst fierce competition, have been widely recognized externally.