The field of robotics is a dynamic intersection of hardware engineering, artificial intelligence, and computer science. Staying current with the latest developments in automation, manipulation, and human-robot interaction is crucial for researchers and industry professionals. Conferences are the primary venues for witnessing these innovations firsthand.
Top Robotics Conferences in 2026 (Confirmed & Projected)
2026 is expected to showcase significant advances in general-purpose robots, soft robotics, and large-scale automation. Plan your year around these major academic and industry events.
| Conference Name | Estimated Dates | Likely Location | Expected Focus Areas |
| CES 2026 | January | Las Vegas, USA | While a broad tech show, it’s a major launchpad for new consumer, service, and educational robots. |
| HRI 2026 (ACM/IEEE International Conference on Human-Robot Interaction) | March | (Location Varies) | The top academic venue for research on how humans and robots interact, collaborate, and communicate. |
| Automate 2026 | May | Detroit, USA | North America’s largest automation trade show, featuring industrial robotics, machine vision, and motion control solutions. |
| ICRA 2026 (IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation) | May/June | (Location Varies) | The world’s largest and most prestigious robotics conference, presenting cutting-edge research across all areas of the field. |
| RSS 2026 (Robotics: Science and Systems) | July | (Location Varies) | A highly selective, single-track conference known for its high-quality, groundbreaking research papers in robotics. |
| IROS 2026 | October | (Location Varies) | The second of the two major annual flagship robotics conferences, with a strong emphasis on intelligent systems and systems engineering. |
| CoRL 2026 | November | (Location Varies) | The key event for researchers working at the nexus of machine learning, AI, and the physical challenges of robotics. |
Please Note: The dates and locations for 2026 are primarily based on the traditional schedules of these annual events and should be considered estimates until officially confirmed. It is always recommended to check the official conference websites for the most up-to-date information before making any travel or booking arrangements.
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These robotics conferences sound like a great opportunity to see where the future of automation is headed. Given the rise of AI and robotics working together, I wonder if we’ll start seeing more discussions about their role in industries like healthcare and manufacturing.