Vienna as a Global Hub for Robotics

Humanoid robots, international research teams, thousands of scientific posters, and hundreds of industry exhibitors: with the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2026), one of the world’s most important robotics conferences is currently taking place at the Vienna Congress & Convention Center – VIECON Center. More than 8,000 experts from research, industry, and technology are making Vienna the international meeting point for robotics, artificial intelligence, and automation.

ICRA is considered the flagship conference of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society and ranks among the most significant international events in its field. At VIECON, workshops, scientific sessions, industry exhibitions, robotics competitions, and networking formats are taking place simultaneously across multiple halls. The poster area showcases around 2,000 scientific posters, while the international industry exhibition, competition areas, and the large robot parade on June 4 occupy an entire hall of their own.

Robotics as a Key Technology for Europe’s Competitiveness

The conference focuses not only on technological developments but also on the question of what role robotics and automation will play in the future for business and society.

“Companies that automate effectively and remain innovative will survive in the long term,” says Prof. Markus Vincze of TU Wien and Congress Chair of ICRA 2026. “Particularly for Europe, it is becoming increasingly important to retain production, know-how, and technological development within its own economic area.”

While traditional industrial robots often perform clearly defined tasks, modern robotic systems have long incorporated artificial intelligence. AI is used, among other things, for image processing, navigation, and planning. At the same time, safety remains one of the greatest challenges. “Especially when robots work alongside humans, additional safety mechanisms are required,” says Vincze. “With AI alone, it is still not possible to guarantee that a system will always operate within safe boundaries.”

Applications beyond industry are also becoming increasingly important. From autonomous assistance systems to future household robots, research and industry are increasingly focusing on technologies that can support people in their everyday lives. “I am convinced that we will see significantly more robotics in everyday life over the next ten to fifteen years,” says Vincze. “Not as science fiction, but as practical support in daily living.”

Innovation Through Personal Encounters

In addition to research and industry, international exchange is a central focus of ICRA. According to Vincze, many innovations emerge only through personal encounters at conferences.

“At my first ICRA, I met people with whom we later implemented a major European research project years afterward,” the expert recalls. “It is precisely these direct encounters and discussions that often lead to ideas and collaborations that cannot be planned in advance.”

The conference program includes 31 parallel workshops and tutorials, high-profile keynotes and plenary sessions, as well as numerous networking and community-building formats. International researchers, industry partners, and emerging talents are coming together in Vienna to exchange ideas, initiate collaborations, and work jointly on future developments.

“ICRA is one of the most important conferences in the field of robotics worldwide. What makes it special is not only its scientific quality but above all the opportunity to bring together international experts from research and industry in person,” explains Vincze.

VIECON as a Platform for the International Robotics Community

To support Vienna’s bid to host ICRA 2026, AIM Group initiated an international bid consortium together with the Vienna Convention Bureau and VIECON Center. The close cooperation between organizer, destination, and venue was a key factor in securing the successful bid, emphasizes Lisa Stern of AIM Group: “VIECON impressed us above all with its combination of modern infrastructure, central location, and high level of professionalism. Particularly important for us was the ability to host a wide variety of event formats simultaneously and with great flexibility.”

ICRA is utilizing nearly the full range of facilities at VIECON Center: parallel sessions, competition areas, international exhibitions, large-scale poster zones, and open networking spaces create an event structure that simultaneously enables scientific exchange, industry presence, and personal interaction. “ICRA represents international cutting-edge research and future technologies. VIECON provides the platform where these innovations become visible, tangible, and connected,” says Stern.

In addition to research and industry, ICRA 2026 is also placing a deliberate focus on diversity, inclusion, and community building. On June 4, the Community Building Day will bring together international initiatives such as Women in Engineering, Queer in Robotics, and Black in Robotics, underscoring the conference’s commitment to shaping robotics as an open and global technology of the future.

For a few days, VIECON Center thus becomes the international platform for a technology that will significantly shape business, research, and everyday life in the years ahead.

Media Contact

Kathrin Kremser
VIECON – Head of Communications & Marketing
Telefon: +43 1 72720 3114
Mobil: +43 676 82 32 3114
E-Mail: kathrin.kremser@vieconcenter.at
www.vieconcenter.at