PHRESCO (Physical Reservoir Computing Competition) is the world's first competition dedicated to exploring the frontiers of physical reservoir computing. We invite researchers, students, and interdisciplinary teams to demonstrate how physical systems—from soft materials and chemical systems to biological tissues or any complex physical structures—can be harnessed for computation, intelligence, and complex signal processing.
This is not just a contest; it's a collaborative research initiative and completely free. In this emerging field, your input will help define what counts as creativity, novelty, and significance.
What is Physical Reservoir Computing?
Physical Reservoir Computing (PhyRC) is a modern Machine Learning approach that uses nonlinear physical dynamics (e.g., water flow, laser dynamics, soft robotics bodies, etc.) as computational resources. We are currently preparing a set of introductionary videos to explain the underlying principles and we are also preparing a few examples for inspiration.
In the meantime, Another good way to get familiar with the topic is to read “Physical Reservoir Computing in Robotics”, which looks at how soft bodies of robots can be used. However, PhyRC goes way beyond that. The first ever physical reservoir computing work used a bucket of water, i.e., “Pattern Recognition in a Bucket” by Chrisantha Fernando & Sampsa Sojakka. A good overview is the book “Reservoir Computing - Theory, Physical Implementations, and Applications” edited by Kohei Nakajima and Ingo Fischer, which provides chapter on general reservoir computing, but also some about physical reservoir computing. Finally, have a look at Susan Stepney’s “Physical reservoir computing: a tutorial”.
Who should apply?
Academic researchers exploring novel computing paradigms
Students interested in unconventional computation
Cross-disciplinary teams (physics, materials science, neuroscience, engineering)
Independent researchers and enthusiasts with a passion for experimental systems
Everyone who is fascinated by physical reservoir computing
What will you submit and how do we judge?
We will provide a clear set of guidelines in the close future. However, in general we want to keep the effort for all participants to a a minimum, while maximising the fun to be part of the competition. We are looking for highly creative ideas over performance.
Participants will submit a short video (max 10 minutes) presenting the work and demonstrating their physical reservoir system in action, and an extended abstract (max 2 pages – LaTeX template will be provided). Participants will also submit a preliminary abstract about their approach, where we will provide feedback.
Submissions will be evaluated by our expert panel (Benjamin Schrauwen, Herbert Jaeger, Susan Stepney). Creativity will be the main focus of the evaluation criteria.
To qualify, your submission must meet following minimum criteria*:
Only a linear readout is allowed to generate the output from your physical reservoir
No artificial extensions of computational capabilities, e.g., additional memory or nonlinearities that are not part of the reservoir
We will provide a data set for learning and testing and your physical reservoir has to perform with an error rate <20%
Extension of existing works is allowed, but novelty is paramount
*Note that the presented rules are not finalised. We might change them slightly in the final guidelines.
Time Line
Expression of Interest: Open now. Please sign up below!
Expression Of Interest Closes: 31st August 2025 23:59 (GMT); Official rules will be released soon afterwards.
Preliminary Abstract Submission Closes: 31st October 2025 23:59 (GMT).
Submission Feedback: Feedback on abstract will be provided by end of November 2025.
Final Submission Deadline: February 2026. Exact date TBD.
Award Ceremony: Award ceremony will be held at Embodied Intelligence Conference (April 2026. Exact date TBD).
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