Every year, IT SPY showcases the most interesting student projects focused on artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, data analytics, robotics, and other technologies that fundamentally shape the modern world. The competition offers a unique opportunity to observe the trends and innovations emerging at Czech and Slovak universities.
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering (FEE) at the Czech Technical University (ČVUT) has long confirmed its strong position in the field of computer science in this competition. The successful theses of its students demonstrate that computer science today is far from being just about programming; it is also about the ability to use modern technologies to solve complex problems in industry, healthcare, transportation, and security.
“When we look at the winning theses from recent years, it is clear that the future of computer science is currently being shaped primarily by artificial intelligence, data processing, robotics, and cybersecurity. The IT SPY competition is particularly interesting because it often captures new trends before they become fully established in industry. Moreover, many of the award-winning projects do not end with the defense of a thesis but continue as research or find practical applications. I am pleased that FEE CTU students have been making significant long-term contributions to these successful projects,” says Assoc. Prof. Jiří Vokřínek, Head of the Department of Computers at FEE CTU and the faculty ambassador for the IT SPY competition.
From Artificial Intelligence to Robotics to Medicine
An overview of award-winning theses from recent years demonstrates the extraordinary breadth of topics that FEE CTU students are exploring.
Last year’s winner, Aneta Furmanová, a graduate of the Medical Electronics and Bioinformatics program, used machine learning methods in her thesis to model the properties of sonic crystals. Her research may contribute to the development of new solutions for reducing noise pollution in cities.
Jindřiška Deckerová, the 2021 winner and the first woman ever to win the IT SPY competition, designed an algorithm for finding optimal routes for autonomous robots and drones. Šimon Mandlík, the 2020 winner, focused on the use of machine learning in the analysis of large-scale data networks, and his results have found application in the field of cybersecurity. Pavlína Koutecká took second place in 2023 for her proposal of methods for planning surgical procedures in hospitals using optimization algorithms and machine learning.
The common thread linking these projects is the integration of cutting-edge research with practical applications. Many of the award-winning graduates go on to pursue doctoral studies, conduct research, or work at technology companies and startups.
Long-term successes of the FEE CTU in the IT SPY competition
● 2025 – 1st place: Aneta Furmanová
● Modeling the properties of the band structure of sonic crystals using machine learning
● Study program: Medical Electronics and Bioinformatics
● 2024 – 2nd place: Jiří Janota
● Mapping a honeycomb with a robot
● Study program: Cybernetics and Robotics
● 2023 – 2nd place: Pavlína Koutecká
● Planning surgical procedures using the branch-and-price method accelerated by machine learning
● Study program: Open Informatics
● 2022 – 1st place: Jiří Ulrich
● Multi-camera localization system based on black-and-white pattern detection
● Study program: Open Informatics
● 2021 – 1st place: Jindřiška Deckerová
● Generalized routing problems with connected neighborhoods
● Study program: Open Informatics
● 2020 – 1st place: Šimon Mandlík
● Internet mapping – Modeling entity interactions in complex heterogeneous networks
● Study program: Open Informatics
● 2019 – 1st place and Valea Award: Jan Bayer
● Autonomous exploration of uneven terrain by a six-legged walking robot
● Study program: Cybernetics and Robotics
About the IT SPY 2026 Competition
The IT SPY Competition is the official competition among Czech and Slovak universities for the best thesis in the field of computer science and information technology. Each year, faculties may nominate up to 10% of all successfully defended theses. Award-winning projects are selected by an expert academic jury composed of leading experts from universities and industry.
For more information about the competition, visit www.itspy.cz.
