“The Central University of Technology’s Motsamai smart robotic wheelchair secured second place in the 2026 IROS Volting Cup Wheelchair Dance Competition, held during the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems in Pittsburgh, United States. The project combines Internet of Things technology, remote control and intelligent navigation, demonstrating how South African robotics research can support mobility, accessibility and social inclusion.”

South Africa’s Motsamai Smart Robotic Wheelchair Highlights the Potential of Assistive Robotics

South African robotics research has received international recognition following the achievement of Motsamai, a smart robotic wheelchair developed through the Central University of Technology’s Smart Wheelchair research initiative. The wheelchair secured second place in the 2026 IROS Volting Cup Wheelchair Dance Competition, held in Pittsburgh, United States, during the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems.

The achievement demonstrates how robotics can extend beyond industrial automation and manufacturing to address human needs. In particular, assistive robotics offers opportunities to improve mobility, accessibility and participation for people living with disabilities.

According to the university’s announcement, Motsamai combines Internet of Things (IoT) technology, remote-control functionality and intelligent navigation. Its capabilities include detecting obstacles, mapping its surroundings and determining its location. The project is led by Professor Markus Elisha of CUT’s Department of Electrical, Electronic and Computer Engineering, with contributions from Morakane Mohanoe, Matsietsi Mohapi, Kesaoleboga Mabuzweni and Jessica Elisha.

An International Achievement for South African Robotics

The Motsamai team’s second-place finish provides a notable example of South African engineering being showcased on an international stage. Although the competition involved a wheelchair dance performance, the technology behind the project has wider relevance to assistive mobility and human-centred robotics.

Robotic systems are often associated with factory production lines, automated warehouses and machines that perform repetitive tasks. However, assistive robotics focuses on a different objective: helping people interact with their surroundings and participate more independently in everyday life.

Motsamai illustrates this broader potential. Its reported navigation capabilities are relevant to environments where users must identify obstacles, understand surrounding spaces and move safely. Its participation in a dance competition also demonstrates that mobility technology can support creative expression, rather than being limited to basic transportation.

The university’s announcement does not provide a detailed competition scorecard or a complete technical comparison with other entries. Nevertheless, the second-place result offers a clear indication that the project attracted recognition from an international robotics event.

How Motsamai’s Technology Works

The wheelchair integrates several technologies that contribute to its functionality. These include IoT connectivity, remote control and intelligent navigation.

Internet of Things technology enables connected devices to exchange information. In a robotic mobility system, connectivity can support communication between components and provide a foundation for coordinated operation. However, the precise network architecture, sensors and communication protocols used by Motsamai have not been fully detailed in the university’s announcement.

Remote-control functionality provides another way to direct the wheelchair. Depending on its implementation, remote control can be useful for demonstrations, testing and supervised operation. It may also provide researchers with a way to evaluate movement and control strategies under defined conditions.

Intelligent navigation is particularly important. CUT reports that Motsamai can detect obstacles, map its surroundings and determine its location. These capabilities address fundamental robotics problems: understanding the environment, estimating position and selecting movements in response to nearby objects.

Obstacle detection can help a machine recognise that something is in its path. Mapping allows a system to represent surrounding spaces, while localisation helps it estimate where it is within those spaces. Together, these functions form part of the foundation for navigation in mobile robots.

However, these features should not automatically be interpreted as proof that the wheelchair can operate independently in every environment. Real-world performance depends on sensor accuracy, software reliability, environmental conditions, user requirements and safety testing. The university’s public announcement does not specify all operating limits or independent clinical evaluation results.

Why Assistive Robotics Matters

Mobility can influence access to education, employment, healthcare, recreation and social activities. For people who experience mobility limitations, appropriate assistive technology can help reduce barriers to participation.

Traditional powered wheelchairs already offer important mobility benefits. Smart robotic wheelchairs build on this foundation by incorporating capabilities such as environmental sensing and navigation assistance. The purpose is not simply to add technology, but to make movement and interaction more practical for users.

Motsamai’s development is relevant because it connects engineering research with a recognisable social need. By combining mobility technology with robotics, the project explores how intelligent systems can contribute to accessibility and independence.

Nevertheless, assistive technology must be evaluated from the perspective of the people who use it. A system that performs well in a controlled demonstration may require further adaptation before it becomes suitable for daily use. Users differ in their physical abilities, preferred control methods, environments and support requirements.

For that reason, future development should prioritise usability, safety, reliability and meaningful consultation with people with disabilities. These considerations are essential when translating an innovative prototype or research project into a practical mobility solution.

Robotics Beyond Industrial Automation

The Motsamai project also highlights the expanding scope of robotics research. Industrial robots generally perform structured tasks such as welding, assembly, packaging or material handling. Mobile service robots, by contrast, must often respond to changing surroundings and unpredictable obstacles.

Assistive robotics adds another layer of complexity because the technology interacts directly with people and can influence their safety and independence.

A wheelchair that incorporates intelligent navigation must account for the relationship between sensors, software, movement and human control. Its design therefore brings together several disciplines, including electrical and electronic engineering, computer engineering, software development and human-centred design.

The project’s use of robotics in a dance competition further illustrates the versatility of these systems. Movement can serve a functional purpose while also enabling creative participation. This is an important reminder that accessibility involves more than completing essential daily activities; it also includes opportunities for recreation, expression and community involvement.

The Importance of South African Research

South African universities have an important role to play in developing engineering skills and investigating solutions to local and international challenges. Projects such as Motsamai provide opportunities for students and researchers to apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems.

CUT identifies the project as part of its Smart Wheelchair research initiative. The participation of Professor Markus Elisha and the four additional contributors named by the university reflects a collaborative approach to engineering development.

International competitions can help research teams present their work, receive recognition and engage with the wider robotics community. However, competition success is only one measure of research progress. Long-term impact also depends on further development, reproducibility, practical testing and the ability to meet user needs.

South African institutions can build on such achievements by supporting interdisciplinary research, providing access to engineering laboratories and encouraging partnerships between universities, assistive-technology specialists and potential users.

Commercialisation may also become relevant if the technology reaches a stage where it can be manufactured and supported at scale. That process would require more information about production costs, maintenance, component availability, servicing and regulatory requirements. CUT’s announcement does not establish that Motsamai is commercially available, so its competition result should not be interpreted as confirmation that consumers can purchase it.

Safety, Accessibility and Responsible Development

Safety is a central consideration for any robotic mobility device. Wheelchairs operate close to people, furniture, doorways, uneven surfaces and other moving objects. A navigation system must therefore be assessed against the conditions in which it is intended to operate.

Obstacle detection is valuable, but its effectiveness depends on the ability to recognise relevant hazards consistently. Similarly, mapping and localisation can support navigation, but errors may occur when surroundings change or sensors provide incomplete information.

Responsible development should include appropriate testing, clearly defined operating conditions and mechanisms for users or caregivers to intervene when necessary. The degree of autonomy should also be communicated honestly, especially where users may rely on the device for everyday mobility.

Accessibility must be considered throughout the design process. Controls should accommodate the intended users, while training and maintenance arrangements should be realistic. Affordability is another important consideration because advanced technology can offer limited social benefit if the people who need it cannot access it.

These are general requirements for assistive robotics rather than confirmed shortcomings of Motsamai. Further technical information and independent assessments would be needed to determine the wheelchair’s performance across different environments and user groups.

Future Opportunities for Assistive Robotics

The achievement creates an opportunity to discuss how smart mobility research might develop further. Future research in this field could explore improved navigation, more adaptable controls, better environmental awareness and stronger integration between mobility systems and accessible infrastructure.

Researchers could also investigate how assistive robots perform in homes, educational institutions, hospitals and public spaces. Each environment presents different challenges, from narrow corridors and changing furniture arrangements to crowded walkways and uneven outdoor surfaces.

User feedback would be particularly valuable in deciding which improvements should receive priority. Features that appear technically impressive are not necessarily the ones that make the greatest difference to daily life. Comfort, reliability, ease of use and the ability to obtain repairs may be equally important.

These are potential research directions, not announced commitments by the Motsamai team. Their feasibility would depend on future research, funding, technical development and consultation with users.

Conclusion

Motsamai’s second-place finish at the 2026 IROS Volting Cup Wheelchair Dance Competition represents an encouraging achievement for South African robotics. Developed through the Central University of Technology’s Smart Wheelchair research initiative, the system combines IoT technology, remote control and intelligent navigation to explore the potential of assistive mobility.

The project demonstrates that robotics can serve purposes beyond industrial productivity. By addressing mobility and supporting creative participation, assistive robotics can contribute to broader discussions about accessibility, independence and inclusion.

Further progress will depend on rigorous testing, user-centred design, sustainable development and practical pathways for deployment. Although the competition result does not establish that Motsamai is commercially available or ready for unrestricted everyday use, it highlights the value of continued research into human-centred engineering.

For South Africa, the project offers a positive example of university research connecting technical innovation with a meaningful social objective. Its most important contribution may ultimately be the opportunities it creates to explore how intelligent mobility systems can help more people participate in everyday life.