Upcoming Events:December 7, 2026 - December 9, 2026
Location:
About the Event
The singularity might be closer than we think. The official website for the 2026 IEEE-RAS International Conference on Humanoid Robots is already running security checks to make sure you’re human—a fitting, if ironic, welcome to the world’s most important gathering on bipedal robotics. Mark your calendars for December 7-9, 2026, when the event descends upon Silicon Valley, California. This isn’t just another tech conference; it’s the premier, internationally recognized forum for the scientists and engineers building the next generation of two-legged machines.
Organized by the venerable IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS), Humanoids is the annual pilgrimage for anyone serious about making robots walk, talk, and manipulate objects in environments built for people. From the deepest dives into whole-body dynamics and control to the latest breakthroughs in machine learning for locomotion, this is where the academic bleeding edge meets burgeoning industry ambition.
Whether you’re a PhD candidate unveiling a novel control algorithm, an R&D lead from a major tech firm scouting talent, or a startup founder ready to show off your new hardware, Humanoids 2026 is the place to be. Attendees can expect a dense program of workshops, plenary talks, and technical sessions covering everything from the biomechanics of movement to the ethics of deploying human-like machines in society.
Key Numbers
Humanoids has seen explosive growth, mirroring the industry’s own hype cycle. While the final numbers for 2026 are yet to be tallied, we can expect them to be impressive, following a record-breaking turnout at Humanoids 2024.
- 700+ Expected Attendees: The 2024 conference in Nancy, France, attracted over 700 registrants, making it the largest Humanoids to date. Silicon Valley is expected to draw an even bigger crowd.
- 30+ Exhibitors: Industry presence is strong, with dozens of companies showcasing the latest hardware, sensors, and software.
- 25th Anniversary Edition: This will be the 25th iteration of the conference, a significant milestone for the humanoid robotics community.
- Hundreds of Papers: Expect a firehose of new research, with hundreds of papers submitted and presented on the latest advancements in the field.
Important Dates (Tentative)
While the official call for papers is still pending, the academic calendar waits for no one. Based on previous years, here is a tentative timeline for key deadlines. Keep your eyes on the official Humanoids 2026 website for confirmed dates.
| Milestone | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Paper Submission Deadline | July 2026 |
| Workshop/Tutorial Proposals | July 2026 |
| Notification of Acceptance | September 2026 |
| Camera-Ready Paper Deadline | October 2026 |
| Early Bird Registration Ends | October 2026 |
| Conference Dates | December 7-9, 2026 |
Venue & Getting There
Humanoids 2026 will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center in the heart of Silicon Valley, California. This strategic location places the conference at the epicenter of robotics innovation, investment, and talent.
- Address: Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA.
- Airports: The venue is conveniently located near Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), with San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Oakland International Airport (OAK) also serving the region.
- Accommodation: Numerous hotels are available in the Santa Clara and San Jose area. Attendees are advised to book in advance, as demand is expected to be high.
Key Themes
The conference will cover the full spectrum of challenges and breakthroughs in humanoid robotics. Expect deep discussions and groundbreaking papers on topics including:
- Whole-Body Dynamics and Control: The core science of making bipedal robots balance, walk, and run without face-planting.
- Learning for Humanoid Robots: From reinforcement learning to imitation learning, how AI is teaching robots to perform complex tasks.
- Perception for Humanoids: The vision, sensing, and world-modeling technologies that allow robots to navigate and understand unstructured environments.
- Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Designing robots that can safely and intuitively work alongside people, a critical focus for real-world deployment.
- Mechanism Design and Actuation: Innovations in motors, materials, and mechanical design that are making humanoids stronger, faster, and more efficient.
- Real-World Applications: Moving beyond the lab to deploy humanoids in logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond.
Exhibition & Industry
The exhibition hall is where theory meets reality. Expect to see the latest platforms from established players and ambitious startups alike. While the exhibitor list is yet to be finalized, past events and industry trends suggest a strong presence from companies at the forefront of the humanoid race. This is your chance to see the hardware up close, network with industry leaders, and witness live demos of next-generation capabilities. The 2026 event will also feature dedicated forums for startups and investors, reflecting the intense commercial interest in the sector.
Featured Speakers
The keynote and plenary speaker lineup for Humanoids 2026 has not yet been announced. However, the conference consistently attracts the titans of the field from both academia and industry. Past events have featured leading researchers from institutions like MIT, Stanford, and ETH Zurich, as well as visionaries from companies like Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind. Expect a lineup of speakers who are actively defining the future of robotics.
Schedule (Sample)
The final program will be released closer to the event, but here is a sample schedule of what a typical day at Humanoids looks like.
Day 1 - December 7, 2026
- 9:00 AM: Workshops and Tutorials
- 1:00 PM: Lunch
- 2:00 PM: Afternoon Workshops and Hackathon Kick-off
- 6:00 PM: Welcome Reception
Day 2 - December 8, 2026
- 9:00 AM: Opening Remarks & Keynote Address
- 10:30 AM: Technical Oral Sessions 1
- 12:00 PM: Lunch & Poster Session A
- 2:00 PM: Plenary Talk
- 3:30 PM: Technical Oral Sessions 2
- 7:00 PM: Conference Banquet
Day 3 - December 9, 2026
- 9:00 AM: Keynote Address
- 10:30 AM: Technical Oral Sessions 3
- 12:00 PM: Lunch & Poster Session B
- 2:00 PM: Industry Forum & Startup Pitches
- 4:00 PM: Awards Ceremony & Closing Remarks
Registration
Registration for Humanoids 2026 is not yet open. Pricing tiers for students, IEEE members, and regular attendees, along with early bird discounts, will be announced in the coming months.
All registration details will be available on the official Humanoids 2026 Registration Page. Given the anticipated high demand, we recommend registering early once it becomes available.
