RSS 2026 Robotics Conference in Sydney: Dates, Keynotes and Program

The 22nd Robotics: Science and Systems conference is currently underway in Sydney from July 13 to 17, 2026, delivering insights into cutting-edge robotics research including AI integration, humanoid development, and autonomous systems through its single-track paper presentations.

Since standard registration closed on July 10, 2026, and the program is now available, participants can review the schedule to maximize their time at the University of Technology Sydney and ICC Sydney venues.

Conference Overview and Background

The RSS conference maintains its reputation as a premier event by focusing exclusively on high-impact contributions in robotics and AI. This single-track format ensures that each paper receives full attention from the audience, facilitating deeper discussions on the presented methods and results. The emphasis on focused contributions allows for meaningful interactions that advance collective understanding of robotic systems.

The mechanics of the conference involve a selective process where submissions undergo rigorous review to highlight advancements that can influence future research directions. Organizers prioritize work that demonstrates clear progress in practical applications of robotic systems, such as those involving perception and control mechanisms. This approach helps maintain the quality that has defined the series over its 22 editions.

When choosing to participate, researchers should evaluate whether their work fits the emphasis on systems-level thinking and interdisciplinary approaches that combine robotics with AI techniques. Criteria include the potential for the research to address real challenges in autonomous navigation or human-robot collaboration. Attendees benefit most when they align their interests with these core areas.

Limitations include the potential for certain emerging topics to receive less coverage if they do not align with the current submission trends, and the event does not guarantee virtual access options beyond the in-person format. Additionally, the single-track structure means that time is limited, requiring careful selection of which sessions to attend. International attendees may face additional logistical hurdles related to travel and accommodation in Sydney during the event period.

A practical example would be a group working on multi-robot coordination using the conference to benchmark their algorithms against the presented datasets and benchmarks sessions. They could prepare specific questions about how the new methods handle dynamic environments. This preparation helps in extracting maximum value from the presentations.

Typical mistakes involve treating the conference like larger events with multiple tracks, which can result in missing important presentations due to incorrect assumptions about scheduling flexibility. Another error is failing to review the program in advance, leading to unprepared participation in discussions. Researchers sometimes overlook the importance of networking during poster sessions, missing opportunities to connect with peers on similar topics.

Dates, Venues, and Logistics

The conference runs from July 13 to 17, 2026, with workshops at the University of Technology Sydney and main sessions at the International Convention Centre Sydney. This split requires attendees to plan their movements between locations to attend all components without conflicts.

The mechanics involve coordinating the program across two sites, with main paper sessions concentrated at ICC Sydney to accommodate larger audiences. Workshops are placed at UTS to leverage university facilities for hands-on tutorials.

When planning attendance, consider the daily schedule to determine which days require travel between venues, especially the first and last days. Criteria for effective logistics include checking transportation options in Sydney and allowing buffer time for transitions.

Limitations include the possibility of changes to the schedule by organizers, and attendees should confirm details close to the event date. The split venues may increase fatigue for those attending full days, and public transport or walking may be necessary depending on exact locations.

A practical example is a researcher attending a workshop on July 13 at UTS in the morning and then moving to ICC Sydney for afternoon sessions, ensuring they have the program printed or on a device for reference.

Typical mistakes include not accounting for the time needed to travel between venues, resulting in late arrivals to sessions. Another common error is assuming all activities are at one location, which can lead to confusion and missed content.

Registration Status and Inclusions

Standard registration closed on July 10, 2026, meaning new attendees must inquire about late or onsite options directly with the organizers. Full registration covers admission to all sessions, the exhibition hall, workshops, poster sessions from July 13 to 15, the gala dinner on July 16, and daily catering.

The mechanics of registration include payment in Australian dollars with GST, and inclusions are designed to support complete participation without additional costs for core activities. This structure encourages full attendance across the five days.

When deciding on registration, evaluate the value of inclusions such as the gala dinner for networking purposes. Criteria include whether the attendee plans to participate in workshops and posters, as these are key for deeper engagement.

Limitations include uncertainty around late registration availability, and the event may have capacity limits even for onsite options. Fees are fixed and may not be refundable after certain dates, requiring careful financial planning.

A practical example involves a student registering for the full package to access the gala dinner and use the networking opportunity to discuss their research with established experts in the field.

Typical mistakes include assuming registration remains open indefinitely or not confirming what is included, leading to unexpected costs or missed events like the dinner.

Program Structure and Daily Schedule

The program features single-track paper sessions throughout the week, with poster sessions on July 13-15 and sponsor demos from July 13 to 16. Workshops and tutorials are half-day events on July 13 morning and July 17.

The mechanics involve a balanced schedule that places core research presentations in the middle days to allow focused attention. This helps participants absorb the content without the distraction of parallel options.

When planning the week, review the daily overview to identify key sessions in areas like reinforcement learning or humanoids. Criteria for selection include matching the session themes to your research priorities and allowing time for poster viewing.

Limitations include the fixed timings that may not accommodate all time zones for virtual followers, and any last-minute changes announced by organizers. The half-day workshops require separate planning for travel.

A practical example is an attendee mapping out their schedule to attend paper sessions on perception and estimation in the morning and then participate in poster sessions in the afternoon to discuss specific papers.

Typical mistakes include overcommitting to too many activities without breaks, leading to reduced attention during important talks. Another error is ignoring the workshop days, missing specialized content that complements the main program.

Keynote Speakers and Talks

The opening keynote by Salah Sukkarieh from the University of Sydney is titled 'Field Robotics as a Science of Systems', setting the tone for systems-oriented research. The closing keynote by Karen Liu from Stanford University is titled 'Data Poor, Model Rich: A Different Path to Robot Intelligence', exploring modeling approaches in robotics.

The mechanics of these keynotes involve framing the conference themes at the beginning and end, providing context for the paper sessions in between. They highlight key challenges and alternative paths in the field.

When attending, prioritize these sessions as they offer broad perspectives that can guide interpretation of more specific papers. Criteria include preparing questions based on the abstracts to engage during any Q&A.

Limitations include the possibility that the talks are not recorded, requiring in-person attendance for full benefit. The topics may not directly address every attendee's niche, but they provide foundational insights.

A practical example is a researcher in aerial systems using the opening keynote to understand how field robotics principles apply to their work on physical interaction.

Typical mistakes include skipping the keynotes to attend other activities, missing the overarching narrative that connects the various sessions. Another error is not reviewing the speaker backgrounds in advance, reducing the ability to appreciate the depth of the presentations.

These keynotes are available on the keynotes and early career spotlights page for reference.

Early Career Spotlights

The early career spotlights include Wenzhen Yuan from UIUC on tactile-based manipulation, Marco Tognon from Inria on aerial physical interaction, Pulkit Agrawal from MIT on force intelligence and lifelong learning, and Hongyang Li from HKU on whole-body intelligence with human-centric data.

The mechanics involve showcasing emerging talent whose work pushes boundaries in manipulation, aerial systems, learning algorithms, and human-aligned robotics. This provides visibility to new researchers and their innovative approaches.

When selecting which spotlights to attend, match the topics to your interests, such as tactile sensing if your work involves physical interaction. Criteria include the relevance to current challenges in your research area.

Limitations include the short format of these talks, which may not cover all details, and the need to follow up with the presenters for deeper understanding. The selection is based on current confirmed speakers and could change.

A practical example is a PhD student focusing on lifelong learning attending the talk by Pulkit Agrawal to gain insights into force intelligence applications.

Typical mistakes include not preparing for these sessions by reading related papers, leading to superficial understanding. Another error is assuming these are less important than keynotes, missing valuable perspectives from rising researchers.

Workshops, Tutorials, and Side Events

Workshops and tutorials are scheduled as half-day events at UTS on July 13 and July 17, while sponsor demos run from July 13 to 16. The gala dinner on July 16 provides a dedicated networking opportunity.

The mechanics involve using workshops for in-depth exploration of specific topics through tutorials, complementing the broader paper sessions. Demos allow sponsors to showcase practical applications of robotics technology.

When choosing workshops, review the topics to see which align with skill-building needs, such as those on world models. Criteria include the hands-on nature and how it can enhance your research toolkit.

Limitations include the half-day format limiting depth, and the need to choose between concurrent options if any exist. Travel between UTS and ICC Sydney adds complexity on workshop days.

A practical example is attending a tutorial on imitation learning to learn new techniques that can be applied to your own projects in reinforcement learning.

Typical mistakes include not registering for workshops separately if required, or underestimating the value of the gala dinner for building professional relationships.

Research Themes and Paper Sessions

Paper sessions cover multi-robot systems, control and dynamics, perception and estimation, localization and mapping, manipulation, human-robot interaction, navigation, imitation learning, reinforcement learning, humanoids, world models and memory, and datasets and benchmarks.

The mechanics involve presenting accepted papers in a single track to allow full audience engagement with each topic. This structure supports detailed exploration of how these areas intersect in modern robotics.

When selecting sessions, use the program overview to identify themes relevant to your work, such as humanoids if developing robotic platforms. Criteria include the novelty of the contributions and their potential impact on your research.

Limitations include the volume of papers meaning not all can be attended in depth, and the focus on research rather than commercial products. Some topics may have fewer papers depending on submissions.

A practical example is a team studying navigation attending sessions on localization and mapping to compare their methods with the latest benchmarks.

Typical mistakes include spreading attention too thin across unrelated sessions, or not taking notes on key findings for later application.

These themes are detailed on the overview page.

Resources for Further Details

The full program, accepted papers, and proceedings are accessible via the official conference site and platforms like OpenReview. Attendees should consult these for the latest updates on timings and any adjustments.

The mechanics of accessing resources involve visiting the site for the program overview and using OpenReview for paper details and reviews. This allows remote researchers to stay informed even if not attending in person.

When using these resources, start with the home page for general information and then move to specific sections like keynotes. Criteria for effective use include cross-referencing multiple sources to get a complete picture.

Limitations include the possibility of updates after initial posting, and not all papers may be immediately available in full text. Proceedings may require additional access through roboticsproceedings.org.

A practical example is a remote viewer downloading the program to follow along with sessions and note papers of interest for future reading.

Typical mistakes include relying on outdated information or not checking the site regularly for changes announced by organizers.

For the most current details, refer to the official conference site and plan your next steps accordingly, such as preparing questions for specific sessions or arranging travel if attending onsite.