Designing
Human-Centred Futures.
Ergonomics for products, mobility, workplaces & everyday living.
The Programme
A platform for the people who design for people.
ErgoLympic returns in 2026 — bigger, more international, and embedded inside one of Malaysia's flagship innovation summits. Every entry must connect to a single, urgent idea: design centred on the human being.
Following four successful editions in 2016, 2018, 2021 and 2023, the 2026 programme expands to the international stage with co-hosts, country ambassadors and a new dual purpose: a serious design competition and a showcase that connects designers, researchers and startups to industry partners and investors.
From a high-school sketch to a startup's working prototype, every entry travels the same five-stage journey — concept brief, payment & acceptance, quarter-final video, semi-final webinar, and the Grand Final live at WTCKL on 21 September 2026.
Eight design tracks
Pick the theme that fits your work.
Each entry chooses one sub-theme — from product innovation to inclusive community design. Submissions across categories must connect their proposal to one of these eight tracks.
Product Design & Consumer Innovation
Consumer products, assistive tools, wearables, household and smart-tool innovation.
Furniture, Workspace & Interior Ergonomics
Furniture, workstations, desks, chairs, studios, labs, learning and office spaces.
Mobility, Transport & Public Space
Vehicle seating, terminals, stations, wayfinding, accessibility and public space design.
Industrial, Manufacturing & Logistics
Work improvement, manual handling, line design, workstation upgrades, industry interventions.
Digital Ergonomics, UX & Smart Systems
Apps, dashboards, interfaces, AI-assisted systems, UX and digital work tools.
Healthcare, Rehabilitation & Assistive Design
Healthcare design, assistive devices, elderly care, rehabilitation, clinical workflow.
Education, Learning Environments & Youth
Learning spaces, schools, campuses, student furniture and educational products.
Inclusive, Sustainable & Community Ergonomics
Inclusive design, OKU, the elderly, communities, sustainable materials, low-cost innovation.
Three Categories
Compete with peers at your level.
From secondary school all the way to seasoned professionals, three category brackets keep the field fair. Teams of 1–4, individual or group; up to two presenters at the live final.
Secondary & High School
Form 1–6 students, with a teacher / mentor. Teams up to 4 members.
Pre-U / TVET / University / Researcher
Pre-university, polytechnic, diploma, undergraduate, postgraduate & researchers.
Professional / Industry / Startup / SME
Professional designers, companies, industry players, startups & solution providers.
10% discount for teams from co-host countries · 10% discount for institutions submitting 3+ teams.
How it Runs
Five stages, one final.
A progressive structure — from a short concept brief, through video screening and an online semi-final, to a live final showcase at WTCKL alongside URIIS 2026.
Call for Participation & Entry Submission
Submit a 300–500 word concept brief with three visuals, sketches or preliminary designs. Pick your category and design track.
Notification, Payment & Letter of Acceptance
Entries that pass screening receive notification. Pay your fee within 5 days; the secretariat issues a Letter of Acceptance.
Quarter Final Screening
Confirmed teams submit a 3–4 minute short video explaining the design, its rationale, and the human-factors value it offers.
Semi Final · Webinar & Online Review
Selected semi-finalists submit a full abstract / design statement, digital poster and a 3–5 minute pitching video. Reviewed online with the jury.
Grand Final · WTCKL, Kuala Lumpur
Live presentation, prototype / mock-up demo, jury Q&A, exhibition showcase and a selected pitching session to URIIS industry partners and investors.
Prizes
A pool of RM 20k, and the spotlight.
Cash prizes, trophies and certificates across all three categories — plus eight Best-in-Track awards, an International Grand Champion and a People's Choice award. Winners showcase to URIIS investors and media.
Organisers & Co-Host
Organised by HFEM & UPM. Together with URISS 2026.
Organiser: Human Factors and Ergonomics Society Malaysia (HFEM) & URISS 2026. Co-Organiser: Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), Strategic Partners: Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, PERKESO, SEARCH, Qiannan Normal College for Nationalities, China (QNUN).
HFEM · UPM · URIIS 2026 · Qiannan Normal College for Nationalities (QNUN), China