Release from
From 30 May to 5 June, Vienna will become an international hub for robotics: with the Festival of Robots at Karlsplatz (30–31 May) and ICRA 2026, the world’s leading robotics conference at Messe Wien (1–5 June), the spotlight will be on robotics as a key industrial technology. The AIT Austrian Institute of Technology will not only be presenting cutting-edge research at ICRA, but will also be showcasing autonomous machines live to the general public for the first time at the festival – as “powerful helpers” for industry, logistics, forestry, agriculture and the construction sector – and inviting the media, businesses, families and decision-makers to engage in dialogue.
From 30 May to 5 June, Vienna will be all about robotics: with the Festival of Robots at Karlsplatz (30–31 May) and the IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) as the leading international conference (1–5 June, Messe Wien), robotics – as a key industrial technology – will take centre stage for the public, politicians and industry.
The Festival of Robots is organised by TU Wien and the AIM Group Austria, with content and organisational planning provided by UIV Urban Innovation Vienna – the City of Vienna’s climate and innovation agency. It takes place as part of the Future Fit Festival, Europe’s largest education festival. Under the motto “Powerful helpers for industry”, AIT will showcase robotics applications in areas where they are particularly relevant today: in production, logistics, and in the forestry, agricultural and construction sectors.
“Intelligent assistance systems and autonomous machines are powerful helpers: they relieve people of demanding tasks and increase safety and productivity. The key lies in the interplay of sensor technology, artificial intelligence, motion planning and secure system integration. AIT brings together this systems expertise across the entire automation chain. We are delighted to be showcasing this broad expertise to a wider public for the first time”, emphasises Andreas Kugi, Scientific Director at AIT Austrian Institute of Technology.
AIT brings robotics from the laboratory to the city
At the festival, the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology will demonstrate how research leads to concrete, practical solutions. The focus is on autonomous machines that do not replace people, but rather support them in tasks that are difficult, dangerous, unattractive or hard to staff. They help to improve safety and productivity, optimise processes and keep businesses competitive.
For this purpose, AIT works across the entire automation chain and in all areas relevant to robotics: from perception using suitable sensor technology, through AI-supported object recognition, motion planning and control, to verifiable task execution and safety. Successful robotics does not happen in isolation: the festival also offers an opportunity to highlight AIT’s strong partnerships – for example, with TU Wien, Tufts University and companies. For it is only through the interplay of excellent research, engineering expertise and industrial implementation that solutions are created which meet technological, economic and societal requirements.
With its presence at Karlsplatz, AIT is using the festival’s unique platform to raise the profile of large-scale robotics in Austria and to establish robotics as a key future topic in public and political discourse. Robotics will thus become an experience not only for specialist audiences but for the city as a whole.
Dialogue on site: AIT live at Karlsplatz
A highlight of AIT’s presence is the live demonstration of autonomous log loading using a truck-mounted timber loading crane. Several demonstration slots are planned for both days of the festival. This brings large-scale robotics to life for the public – showcasing how robust and safe autonomous systems can be.
In the AIT tent, experts will share knowledge about robotics and autonomous machines in an interactive way. Visitors will gain insights into the key components of autonomy – as well as specific applications and industrial use cases.
This is complemented by curated stage events such as the panel discussion with Andreas Kugi, Scientific Director of AIT. Also firmly on the agenda is a Role Model Talk with AIT robotics researcher Sarah Schneider, who has recently completed her PhD at the AIT Center for Vision, Automation & Control – the very Center whose research priorities are also reflected in the programme of the Festival of Robots.
Two stages, one mission: public engagement and cutting-edge international research
Immediately following the festival, the global scientific stage takes centre stage with ICRA 2026 (1–5 June, Messe Wien). There, AIT will present six high-calibre scientific papers – demonstrating how cutting-edge research can be translated into concrete demonstrations and real-world industrial applications.
An invitation to engage
Media representatives, visitors, families, businesses and decision-makers from politics and public administration are warmly invited to the festival to engage in conversation with AIT experts and many other stakeholders in a relaxed and inspiring atmosphere, to experience technologies first-hand and to discuss the opportunities and potential applications of autonomous systems.
Further information: https://www.roboterinwien.com/
AIT Large-Scale Robotics Lab: https://www.ait.ac.at/en/labs/large-scale-robotics-lab
About the AIT