CLAWAR Robotics and Automation Summit 2026

The CLAWAR Association is proud to convene the upcoming CLAWAR Robotics & Automation Summit 2026, taking place on 21 and 22 October 2026 in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Hosted in collaboration with the Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering at the University of Sheffield's historic Mappin Building, this major two-day international conference brings together leading robotics researchers, mechatronics engineers, industrial designers, and autonomous systems specialists. Established as an international charity and scientific network, the CLAWAR Association continues to pioneer advancements in climbing, walking, and mobile service robots designed for complex and unstructured environments. The 2026 summit serves as a premier multidisciplinary platform to evaluate state-of-the-art technological breakthroughs, share translational field research, and foster cross-border academic and industrial partnerships across Europe and beyond. As mobile robotic systems rapidly transition from controlled laboratory environments into industrial, hazardous, medical, and everyday public spaces, this summit addresses the pressing need for reliable locomotion, intelligent control architectures, and robust human-robot collaboration.

Key Research Focus: Climbing, Walking, and Autonomous Systems

The scientific program for the summit is structured around key thematic domains crucial to the evolution of mobile and service robotics. Plenary presentations and peer-reviewed technical sessions will explore novel bio-inspired locomotion mechanisms, multi-legged walking platforms, magnetic and suction-based climbing technologies, and aerial-ground hybrid systems. Specialized sessions will focus on perception algorithms, real-time SLAM (Simultaneous Localization and Mapping), flexible manipulators, and innovative sensor fusion techniques that allow mobile robots to navigate unpredictable terrains. Researchers will present empirical studies on robot deployment across diverse application sectors, including structural inspection of high-rise infrastructure, nuclear decommissioning, emergency search and rescue operations, space exploration, and agricultural monitoring. By showcasing both theoretical modeling and practical physical prototypes, the summit highlights how advanced mechanical design and artificial intelligence converge to solve extreme engineering challenges in unstructured environments.

Safety Frameworks, ISO Standards, and Ethical Robotics

A core priority of the CLAWAR Association is establishing robust safety standards and ethical guidelines to facilitate the widespread deployment of service and personal care robots. The summit will feature dedicated policy panels led by international standardization experts involved in ISO and BSI technical committees. Experts will discuss recent updates to ISO 13482 safety requirements for personal care robots, emerging frameworks for medical robotic systems, and standardized testing methodologies for human-robot interaction. Delegates will gain valuable insights into mitigating physical hazards, ensuring fail-safe autonomy, and navigating compliance certifications necessary for commercial product launches. Additionally, roundtable sessions will tackle broader socio-economic considerations, including public trust, algorithmic transparency, workforce transition, and environmental sustainability in robotic manufacturing.

Interactive Demonstrations, Poster Sessions, and Workshops

Beyond traditional paper presentations, the summit offers a dynamic and hands-on agenda designed to maximize delegate engagement. Attendees can participate in live hardware demonstrations where research labs and commercial exhibitors display prototype climbing machines, quadrupedal walkers, and assistive exoskeletons in real-time test environments. Early-career researchers, PhD candidates, and post-doctoral scholars will present their ongoing studies during interactive poster sessions, receiving direct feedback from world-renowned roboticists. Special technical workshops will cover specialized topics such as ROS 2 integration for mobile platforms, bio-mechanical simulation tools, and open-source modular control frameworks. Structured networking lunches, coffee breaks, and a conference banquet at Sheffield City Centre will offer ample opportunities to build enduring professional connections and initiate joint research grant proposals.

Registration, Membership Benefits, and Venue Access

The CLAWAR Robotics & Automation Summit 2026 welcomes global researchers, industry executives, policymakers, and postgraduate students to attend either in person or through hybrid virtual sessions. Held at the Mappin Building on Mappin Street, Sheffield (S1 3JD), the venue is ideally situated near Sheffield railway station and major university research facilities. Registration options include discounted rates for CLAWAR Association members, early-bird registrants, and full-time students, alongside options for non-members and commercial exhibitors. Registration deadline for early-bird tickets is 15 September 2026. All accepted full papers will be published in official indexed conference proceedings. Delegates seeking to contribute, network, or display innovative hardware are encouraged to complete their registration early, as venue capacity is limited to maintain an interactive and focused conference setting.