Viam Organizes a Robotics Hackathon to Push the Boundaries of Physical AI on Intel-Based Systems

Viam to Host a Groundbreaking Robotics Hackathon in NYC

Viam, a trailblazer in the realm of robotics and physical AI, is set to host its inaugural hackathon titled ‘Robot Hackathon: Edge of Intelligence’ on November 13–14, 2026, in its New York City robotics lab. This innovative event targets developers eager to explore the intricacies of AI integration with robotics, specifically focusing on Intel-based edge AI systems.

The hackathon promises a hands-on experience allowing participants to delve into fields like computer vision, robotics manipulation, and local AI inference. By utilizing Viam's software and Intel's OpenVINO inference runtime, developers will work closely with cutting-edge robotics hardware, including robotic arms, grippers, and depth cameras.

Participants will be exposed to three primary technical challenges during the two-day session:
1. Imitation Learning: Developing a robot policy through techniques such as Advanced Control Techniques (ACT) or SmolVLA.
2. Vision-Language-Action Models: Creating behaviors for robots that are instruction-driven, focusing on a specific track.
3. Computer Vision for Defects: Utilizing computer vision methods for defect detection and robotic sorting through OpenVINO.

The hackathon fosters an environment where developers can transition from theory to practice, allowing them to build and demonstrate tangible prototypes, moving beyond mere observation of technology demonstrations. The readiness of specific models and configuration settings will adapt based on the teams' progress and requirements throughout the event.

Viam is committed to ensuring participants receive real-time guidance. Both technical staff from Viam and Intel will be present to answer questions, clarify concepts, and mentor participants. Shannon Bradshaw, Senior Vice President of Product and Education at Viam, highlighted the importance of hands-on experience: “This event is focused on showcasing the journey from an AI model to a practical application that interacts with the real world. Participants will experiment with robotics, gain insights from technical experts, and share successful strategies with peers.”

This hackathon is a part of Viam's larger initiative, Viam Education, which seeks to cultivate developer skills through both online courses and in-person technical activities. Following its success with previous online hackathons, Viam has engaged with thousands of developers, fostering collaborative innovation in the tech community across regions like New York and the San Francisco Bay Area.

About Viam
Founded in 2020 by Eliot Horowitz, co-founder and former CTO of MongoDB, Viam operates out of New York City, where its robotics lab is located. Viam presents itself as a pivotal infrastructure provider, enabling developers to deploy, manage, and operate robotics applications efficiently and safely. Its flexible approach allows for building applications that can operate across various equipment and scales, serving industries like manufacturing, marine, logistics, and entertainment.

For those interested in attending the hackathon, registration details can be found at Viam’s Event Page. This event invites developers from all backgrounds to join the frontier of robotics and AI, pushing the boundaries of technology and innovation in a supportive environment.