Purdue students aim to set Guinness World Record with World's Largest Hardware Hackathon
The Humanoid Robot Club at Purdue University is planning to make history this spring and is inviting builders from around the world to help.
From April 17–19, 2026, the student-led club will host StarkHacks, a 36-hour hardware hackathon aiming for a Guinness World Record as the largest ever. Organizers hope for more than 1,000 participants, making it Purdue’s biggest hardware hackathon, and among the largest anywhere.
Unlike software-only hackathons, Stark Hacks is all about building things you can touch. Over three days at the Purdue Armory, students will prototype, solder, test, and iterate side by side, turning ideas into physical systems using real components and real tools.
Joshua Wong is a Purdue ECE student majoring in computer engineering. He is a part of the sponsorship team and is helping organize the hackathon.
"What we are doing at Starkhacks is extremely exciting,” said Wong. “I've had the chance to work with such a motivated team, and getting the opportunity to meet so many top figures around the world is definitely what I signed up for on my 2026 bucket-list."
Each team will receive a hardware kit with basic components, sensors, and tools, and participants are welcome to bring additional equipment. A detailed list of components provided will be released closer to the event.
Participants can build projects in areas like space exploration, gaming, wearables, and AI. Teams of up to four are allowed, but solo builders can join teams at the mixer.
Stark Hacks is open to current university students of all majors and experience levels, provided they are at least 18 years old by April 17, 2026. Participants may join with a polished idea or simply with curiosity and a willingness to learn. Many teams form concepts on the spot through brainstorming sessions, mentor conversations, and sponsor-led challenges.
More than $100,000 in prizes will be awarded across multiple categories. Stark Hacks is supported by major industry partners, including Ford, Qualcomm, Bosch, IEEE, and others, giving students the chance to connect directly with engineers and recruiters from leading technology companies.
Apply now at starkhacks.com/apply; registration closes Jan. 30, 2026. Confirmations will be emailed to selected participants.