WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Transportation is offering up to $1.5 million in prize funding through a new national competition aimed at accelerating the use of robotics technologies in transportation infrastructure, safety inspections and construction projects.
Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy launched the “DOT Bots Challenge,” a two-stage competition seeking proposals from innovators developing robotic solutions that could improve transportation safety, efficiency, affordability and project delivery.
The initiative comes as federal agencies and private industry increasingly explore robotics and automation to address infrastructure maintenance, construction and operational challenges across transportation networks.
“To ensure America stays ahead of the race, we have to invest in our country’s best and brightest ideas – including robotics,” Duffy said in a statement.
Under the competition’s first phase, the department will select up to five finalists, each receiving $100,000 to develop their concepts further. One finalist will ultimately receive a $1 million grand prize after demonstrating a functional prototype.
The department said entrants in Stage I must submit concept papers outlining robotics applications for public-sector transportation needs. Stage II participants will be required to build operational prototypes, either by modifying existing technologies or developing new systems.
The submission deadline is Aug. 10, 2026, at 5 p.m. Eastern time. Finalists are expected to be announced in fall 2026, with the overall winner selected in fall 2027.
Alongside the competition, the Transportation Department released a report on the state of robotics in transportation, outlining recent technological advances, federal investments and areas where additional deployment opportunities exist.
The department said robotics technologies are already being used in transportation for applications including infrastructure inspections, maintenance work and construction activities, and officials expect broader adoption could improve the speed and cost of project delivery.
Additional information about the challenge, including application requirements, is available at https://www.transportation.gov/policy-initiatives/nett/dot-bots-challenge-statement-stage-i. The department will also host an informational webinar on July 8 at 3 p.m. Eastern time for prospective applicants.
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