Robophilosophy Conference 2026: “Connected Futures: Nature, Robots, and Society”

The Robophilosophy Conference 2026 (RP2026) will take place from 11 to 14 August 2026 at University College Dublin (UCD).

RP2026 will explore the profound transformations occurring at the intersection of technological innovation, the shaping of future societies, and increasing concerns about natural degradation. As robotic systems become ever more integrated into human life, the conference aims to create a much-needed space for informed and meaningful dialogue across disciplines.

The event brings together perspectives from social robotics, computer science, and human–robot interaction, alongside contributions from the humanities and social sciences, law, economics, ecology and climate research. It is the seventh edition of the Robophilosophy Conference Series and continues its tradition of critically examining how robotics and AI reshape our shared world.

Plenary Speakers

• Lynne Baillie – Robotics, Heriot-Watt University, UK

• Ryan Calo – Robot Law, University of Washington, USA

• Hideki Kajima – Toyota Motor Europe, Japan

• Arno Klein – Child Mind Institute, USA

• Bertram Malle – Psychology, Brown University, USA

• Shannon Vallor – Ethics, Edinburgh Futures Institute, UK

Fundamental Questions

RP2026 invites researchers to engage with questions that will shape our collective future:

• How do we design robotic systems that respect human dignity, autonomy and social justice?

• What legal frameworks must evolve to address accountability in autonomous decision-making?

• Can robots contribute to environmental restoration and sustainability, or risk accelerating ecological degradation?

• How will automation reshape labour markets, inequality and caring relationships?

• What responsibilities do we bear toward the artificial agents we create?

• How might robotics and AI reinforce or challenge existing power structures?

• What does coexistence mean when intelligence takes multiple forms?

Submission Deadlines

• Workshop proposals: 16 January 2026

• Research papers and posters: 15 March 2026

• Descriptions of art works and performances: 15 March 2026

Link to the official website: https://sites.google.com/view/robophilosophy2026/

23–27 March 2026 | Stavanger, Norway

The European Robotics Forum (ERF) is the leading annual gathering of the European robotics and AI community, bringing together more than 1,000 participants from industry, academia and the public sector. Held each year in a different European city, ERF serves as a key platform to showcase cutting-edge technologies, stimulate collaboration and address the strategic challenges shaping the future of robotics in Europe.

ERF 2026 will take place in Stavanger, Norway, from 23 to 27 March 2026, including side events that further expand networking and exchange opportunities. The forum provides a unique environment where research excellence meets industrial deployment, enabling dialogue between scientists, technology providers, policy makers and end users.

Among the companies contributing to this year’s edition is PAL Robotics, partner of euROBIN. For PAL Robotics, ERF represents more than a conference; it is a catalyst for collaboration and innovation across Europe’s robotics ecosystem. At ERF 2026, the company will showcase its advanced robotic platforms, including:

• TIAGo Pro, its most capable mobile manipulator, designed to support research and industrial applications requiring advanced autonomy and versatility.

• KANGAROO, a next-generation European humanoid platform that demonstrates how service robotics is evolving towards increasingly sophisticated and adaptive solutions.

By presenting these platforms, PAL Robotics aims to strengthen the bridge between academic research and real-world industrial applications. ERF provides the ideal setting to build strategic partnerships, explore integration opportunities and co-develop solutions that address complex societal and industrial challenges.

As the European robotics landscape evolves at an unprecedented pace, collaboration remains essential. ERF 2026 offers a space to co-create a future where technological innovation and human needs advance hand in hand.

For more information about ERF 2026, visit: https://erf2026.eu/

And to know more about PAL Robotic's participation, visit: https://pal-robotics.com/event/erf-26

Thursday 27 March 2025

• 08:30 - 09:50h- Workshop Towards next generation robotics: Generative AI use cases, challenges and opportunities
• Where - Silchersaal
• Talk about Challenges in GenAI for Robotics with Bruno Siciliano, Uni Naples, Italy

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• 14:00 - 15:20h - Workshop Advancing AI-Powered Robotic Cognition, Deliberation and Learning for Real-World Applications
• Where - Silchersaal
• With Michael Beetz, Director Institute of Artificial Intelligence at Universitaet Bremen and Rudolf Triebel, DLR, Germany)

All information about the event can be found here.