Upcoming Events:April 7, 2026 - April 11, 2026
Location:
About the Event
Mark your calendars, because the world of soft robotics is converging on Kanazawa, Japan. The 9th IEEE-RAS International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft 2026) is scheduled for April 7-11, 2026, promising a deep dive into machines that bend, stretch, and squish their way into the future. Hosted by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, this conference is the premier event for anyone in the field, from grizzled academics to wide-eyed grad students.
This year’s theme is “Human-centered Soft Robotics for Social Challenges,” signaling a focus on real-world applications that could redefine everything from healthcare to manufacturing. Forget rigid, unyielding machines; RoboSoft is about the fluid, the adaptable, and the biologically inspired. Attendees can expect a rigorous program of presentations, workshops, and forums dedicated to the latest breakthroughs in a field that’s anything but soft on innovation. The event will take place in Kanazawa, a city renowned for its rich cultural heritage and craftsmanship, providing a rather poetic backdrop for discussing the art and science of next-generation robotics.
Key Themes
While the full program is still materializing, the conference will undoubtedly revolve around the core challenges and opportunities in soft robotics. Expect heated discussions and groundbreaking papers on topics such as:
- Biologically Inspired Design: Robots that mimic the mechanics of living organisms.
- Soft Actuators & Sensors: The novel materials and components that enable robotic flexibility and sensitivity.
- Modeling, Control & Simulation: The complex science of predicting and directing the motion of deformable robots.
- Human-Robot Interaction: Developing safe and intuitive collaboration between humans and soft machines.
- Medical & Rehabilitation Robotics: Applications in surgery, patient care, and assistive devices.
- Wearable Robotics: Soft systems that can be worn to augment or restore human capabilities.
Program Highlights
A detailed schedule is not yet available, but the organizers have released a set of deadlines that are frankly non-negotiable. For those planning to contribute, these are the dates to etch into your memory:
- Contributed Papers Submission: October 30th, 2025 (The website notes this is a “firm deadline. no more extension!”)
- Workshops/Tutorials Submission: November 15th, 2025
- Extended Abstracts Submission: February 15th, 2026
- Competitions Entry: January 19th, 2026
The main conference will feature plenary talks, multi-track paper sessions, and poster presentations from April 8-10, flanked by workshops on April 7 and 11.
Registration
Registration details, including pricing, are still under wraps. Prospective attendees are advised to monitor the official RoboSoft 2026 website for the latest announcements.
Given the prestige of the event, waiting until the last minute is likely a poor strategy.
