ERW 2026: Bucureşti va găzdui un salon de robotică

About the Event

Right then, folks, pencil it in – or at least make a mental note for the vague vicinity of November 2026. The European robotics community, ever the globetrotter, has officially cast its gaze upon Bucharest, Romania, as the epicentre for the European Robotics Week (ERW) 2026. The big reveal, dropped during the 2025 shindig in Tallinn, confirms that this annual showcase of Europe’s finest robotic wizardry is heading east. Get ready for some proper automation action.

Orchestrated by the venerable Brussels-based eu-Robotics association, ERW has been a fixture since 2011, valiantly attempting to drag the often-head-scratching world of robotics research out of the lab and into the public eye. For the 2026 instalment, the local hosts are none other than the “Modelling and Simulation Centre of the Romanian Army” (RoSim). Now, if that doesn’t raise a few eyebrows and firmly plant the event’s theme smack-bang in the realm of “dual-use” technologies, I don’t know what will. Yes, it appears the robots are reporting for active duty, and they’re bringing their civilian-friendly cousins along for the ride – perhaps for a bit of R&R, or maybe just to show off their peacetime capabilities before the inevitable rise.

This laser-focus on dual-use applications – those nifty bits of tech with both civilian and military applications – promises an exhibition that’s as fascinating as it is, shall we say, a tad disquieting. According to eu-Robotics, Bucharest’s proposal was absolutely cracking, precisely because of this strong thematic thrust and a genuine commitment to public engagement. They’re particularly keen on roping in the younger generation, who, let’s face it, will one day have to decide whether to roll out the red carpet for our future robotic overlords or make a dash for it. Expect a bustling mélange of industry titans, brainy academic researchers, sharp-suited policymakers, and the curious general public, all congregating to poke, prod, and ponder the future of automation, probably with a cuppa in hand.

Key Themes

While the full agenda is still being hammered out, the core themes are as clear as a bell, perfectly reflecting that rather unique partnership with a military simulation centre.

• Dual-Use Technologies: Ah, the star of the show. Prepare for proper deep dives into robotics that are just as comfortable stacking shelves in a warehouse as they are performing a bit of covert reconnaissance. This track will likely unearth everything from brainy logistics systems and autonomous navigation to drones capable of giving both bridges and borders a thorough once-over. Talk about versatile!
• Public Engagement and STEM Education: It wouldn’t be ERW without a noble quest to demystify robotics for the masses. Expect a smattering of student competitions, hands-on workshops that might just spark a lifetime obsession, and exhibits crafted to inspire the next generation of engineers and, crucially, ethicists – because, let’s be honest, we’re going to need both in spades.
• Defence and Security Applications: With RoSim holding the reins, this one’s as unavoidable as a Monday morning. This theme will be a showcase of how automation and AI are being cleverly woven into modern defence strategies, spanning everything from hyper-realistic virtual battle space simulations to those rather imposing unmanned ground vehicles. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.
• European Robotics Collaboration: As ever, this shindig serves as a crucial networking hub for Europe’s bustling robotics ecosystem. The aim? To forge even stronger bonds between industry heavyweights, academic boffins, and government institutions from across the length and breadth of the continent. Think speed-dating, but for robots and policy wonks.

Featured Speakers

The official speaker list, much like a top-secret blueprint, has yet to be unrolled. However, you can put good money on it featuring a host of high-ranking officials from eu-Robotics, senior figures from the Romanian Ministry of National Defence (naturally), and a smattering of leading researchers and CTOs from Europe’s most influential robotics companies. We’re expecting a lineup that can speak with unimpeachable authority on everything from the intricacies of reinforcement learning to the often-thorny regulatory frameworks for autonomous systems. Do keep an eye on this space as the event date draws nearer for those all-important confirmed names.

Schedule

The detailed schedule for ERW 2026 is currently more hush-hush than a new Bond gadget. However, the event typically stretches out over a full week in late November, with the main “Focus Event” usually unfolding over a solid two or three days. Attendees should brace themselves for a programme that’s absolutely jam-packed, featuring rousing keynote addresses, technical deep-dive sessions that will make your brain hum, lively panel discussions on ethics and policy (because someone has to think about the consequences), and a sprawling exhibition hall where you can get up close and personal with the latest hardware in action. The precise dates in November 2026, much like the exact capabilities of some of those dual-use robots, are still awaiting confirmation.

Registration

Registration details, including the all-important ticket prices and the official dates for the digital floodgates to open, are still under wraps. Prospective attendees are strongly advised to keep a keen eye on the official eu-Robotics website for the very latest intel. Given the rather unique focus of this year’s bash, expect demand to be brisk from both the usual tech-savvy crowd and, perhaps, a few new faces sporting a bit of camouflage.