Upcoming Events:7 December 2026 - 9 December 2026
Location:
About the Event
The singularity might be closer than we think. In a move that feels like a nod to our future mechanical overlords, the official website for the 2026 IEEE-RAS International Conference on Humanoid Robots is already running security checks to ensure you’re actually human—a cheeky, if slightly ironic, welcome to the world’s most prestigious gathering on bipedal robotics. Clear your diaries for 7-9 December 2026, as the event lands in Silicon Valley, California. This isn’t just another dry tech symposium; it’s the definitive global forum for the scientists and engineers currently teaching two-legged machines how to navigate our world.
Organised by the venerable IEEE Robotics and Automation Society (RAS), “Humanoids” is the annual pilgrimage for anyone serious about making robots walk, talk, and handle objects in environments designed for people. From deep dives into the “dark arts” of whole-body dynamics to the latest breakthroughs in machine learning for locomotion, this is where academic brilliance meets the raw ambition of the tech industry.
Whether you’re a PhD candidate unveiling a “Eureka” moment in control algorithms, an R&D lead from a tech giant scouting for the next big thing, or a startup founder ready to show off some shiny new hardware, Humanoids 2026 is the place to be. Attendees can expect a jam-packed programme of workshops, plenary talks, and technical sessions covering everything from the biomechanics of movement to the thorny ethical questions of deploying human-like machines in our daily lives.
Key Numbers
Humanoids has seen explosive growth recently, perfectly tracking the industry’s own hype cycle. While the final tallies for 2026 are still under wraps, the expectations are sky-high following the record-breaking turnout at Humanoids 2024.
- 700+ Expected Attendees: The 2024 conference in Nancy, France, saw over 700 delegates, making it the largest Humanoids to date. With the move to Silicon Valley, we’re expecting an even more impressive crowd.
- 30+ Exhibitors: The industry presence is massive, with dozens of companies showcasing the latest state-of-the-art hardware, sensors, and software.
- 25th Anniversary Edition: This marks the 25th iteration of the conference—a significant Silver Jubilee milestone for the humanoid robotics community.
- Hundreds of Papers: Prepare for a firehose of new research, with hundreds of papers submitted on the absolute bleeding edge of the field.
Important Dates (Tentative)
While the official call for papers hasn’t dropped yet, the academic calendar waits for no one. Based on previous years, here is a tentative timeline for your diary. Keep a close eye on the official Humanoids 2026 website for confirmed dates.
| Milestone | Tentative Date |
|---|---|
| Paper Submission Deadline | July 2026 |
| Workshop/Tutorial Proposals | July 2026 |
| Notification of Acceptance | September 2026 |
| Camera-Ready Paper Deadline | October 2026 |
| Early Bird Registration Ends | October 2026 |
| Conference Dates | 7-9 December 2026 |
Venue & Getting There
Humanoids 2026 will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Centre in the heart of Silicon Valley, California. This is a strategic masterstroke, placing the conference at the absolute epicentre of robotics innovation, venture capital, and talent.
- Address: Santa Clara Convention Centre, 5001 Great America Pkwy, Santa Clara, CA 95054, USA.
- Airports: The venue is a stone’s throw from Norman Y. Mineta San José International Airport (SJC), though San Francisco International (SFO) and Oakland International (OAK) are also easy options for those flying in from further afield.
- Accommodation: There’s no shortage of hotels in the Santa Clara and San Jose area, but word to the wise: book early. Demand is going to be through the roof.
Key Themes
The conference will tackle the full spectrum of challenges and breakthroughs currently defining the sector. Expect high-level debates and groundbreaking papers on:
- Whole-Body Dynamics and Control: The core science of ensuring bipedal robots balance, walk, and run without an embarrassing face-plant.
- Learning for Humanoid Robots: From reinforcement learning to imitation, how AI is teaching robots to master complex, human-like tasks.
- Perception for Humanoids: The vision, sensing, and world-modelling tech that allows robots to navigate and make sense of messy, unstructured environments.
- Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): Designing machines that can work safely and intuitively alongside people—the “holy grail” for real-world deployment.
- Mechanism Design and Actuation: Innovations in motors, materials, and mechanical engineering that are making humanoids stronger, faster, and more efficient.
- Real-World Applications: Moving beyond the lab to get humanoids into logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond.
Exhibition & Industry
The exhibition hall is where the theory gets its boots on the ground. Expect to see the latest platforms from established titans and ambitious startups alike. While the exhibitor list is still being finalised, current trends suggest a massive presence from the frontrunners of the humanoid race. This is your chance to get up close to the hardware, network with industry heavyweights, and witness live demos of next-gen capabilities. The 2026 event will also feature dedicated forums for startups and investors, reflecting the intense commercial appetite for the sector.
Featured Speakers
The keynote and plenary speaker lineup for Humanoids 2026 hasn’t been revealed just yet. However, this conference consistently bags the titans of the field from both academia and industry. Past events have featured heavy hitters from MIT, Stanford, and ETH Zurich, as well as visionaries from the likes of Boston Dynamics and Google DeepMind. Expect a roster of speakers who aren’t just talking about the future—they’re building it.
Schedule (Sample)
The final programme will be released closer to the event, but here is a flavour of what a typical day at Humanoids looks like.
Day 1 - 7 December 2026
- 09:00: Workshops and Tutorials
- 13:00: Lunch
- 14:00: Afternoon Workshops and Hackathon Kick-off
- 18:00: Welcome Reception
Day 2 - 8 December 2026
- 09:00: Opening Remarks & Keynote Address
- 10:30: Technical Oral Sessions 1
- 12:00: Lunch & Poster Session A
- 14:00: Plenary Talk
- 15:30: Technical Oral Sessions 2
- 19:00: Conference Banquet
Day 3 - 9 December 2026
- 09:00: Keynote Address
- 10:30: Technical Oral Sessions 3
- 12:00: Lunch & Poster Session B
- 14:00: Industry Forum & Startup Pitches
- 16:00: Awards Ceremony & Closing Remarks
Registration
Registration for Humanoids 2026 isn’t open just yet. Pricing tiers for students, IEEE members, and regular attendees—along with those all-important early bird discounts—will be announced in the coming months.
All registration details will be posted on the official Humanoids 2026 Registration Page. Given how much buzz there is around humanoids right now, we’d recommend snapping up a spot as soon as they go live.
