Robotics: Science and Systems (RSS) 2026

About the Event

In an era of bloated, multi-track tech circuses, Robotics: Science and Systems (RSS) remains a sanctuary of high-signal academic purity. Think of it as the robotics world’s equivalent of a Michelin-starred tasting menu rather than a generic all-you-can-eat buffet. From July 13-17, 2026, the 22nd edition of RSS is heading Down Under, bringing the brightest minds in the field to the sun-drenched shores of Sydney, Australia.

Staged at the sleek International Convention Centre (ICC) Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS), RSS 2026 stays true to its roots as a prestigious single-track event. This isn’t by accident; it’s by design. The format demands a level of curation so rigorous that every single paper earns its place on the main stage. There’s no “track-hopping” here to dodge a dull presentation—if it’s on the bill, it’s essential viewing. Orchestrated by the RSS Foundation, a non-profit driven by volunteers, the event is a masterclass in fostering open, high-calibre scientific debate.

This is a conference built for the intellectual heavy-hitters: PhD students, postdocs, career academics, and industry R&D scientists who live for the mathematical and algorithmic “how” behind the “what.” If your idea of a good time involves deconstructing stochasticity in reinforcement learning or debating the nuances of SLAM algorithms over a flat white, you’ll be in your element.

Attendees won’t just see the future; they’ll see the blueprints. You’ll leave with a crystal-clear view of the bleeding edge, a notebook full of breakthrough ideas, and a network of peers who are actually building the next generation of machines, rather than just talking about them.

Key Themes

While the final programme is currently being forged in the crucible of peer review, RSS consistently tackles the most formidable scientific hurdles in the industry. Judging by the current pulse of the lab, expect a heavy focus on:

• AI and Machine Learning for Robotics: The undisputed heavyweight of the schedule. Expect deep dives into foundation models, reinforcement learning, and imitation learning—essentially, the quest to build robots that can generalise across tasks without accidentally dismantling the laboratory.
• Perception, Estimation, and SLAM: The perennial challenge of teaching a machine to see, understand, and map its surroundings. Sessions will likely span everything from bespoke sensor fusion to creating robust, long-term digital representations of a messy, unpredictable world.
• Planning, Control, and Dynamics: The art of making metal move with grace and intent. This covers the full spectrum, from intricate manipulation and bipedal walking to the complex choreography of autonomous swarms.
• Human-Robot Interaction (HRI): As robots step out of their cages and into our homes and workplaces, the need for safe, intuitive collaboration is paramount. Expect cutting-edge research into both the physical and cognitive friction points of HRI.
• Field Robotics: Taking the tech out of the sterile lab and into the wild. This track usually showcases rugged systems built for the “real world”—agriculture, defence, and navigating environments that haven’t been pre-mapped to the millimetre.

Featured Speakers

The official roll call of keynote speakers for RSS 2026 is still under wraps. However, the conference has a stellar reputation for bagging the luminaries of the field—the kind of names that shift the needle in both academia and the boardroom.

Keep a sharp eye on the official Robotics: Science and Systems 2026 website for the big reveals. Beyond the headline acts, the programme also features the “Early Career Spotlight” and the “RSS Pioneers” workshop, which are brilliant for spotting the rising stars who will be leading the field in a decade’s time.

Provisional Schedule

The granular day-by-day itinerary is still being polished, but RSS typically follows a tried-and-tested five-day structure:

Day 1 & 2 - July 13-14

• Full Day: Intensive Workshops and Tutorials
• Evening: Welcome Drinks and the first look at the Poster Sessions

Day 3 & 4 - July 15-16

• Morning: Headline Keynotes followed by the core single-track paper presentations
• Lunch: Networking and more Poster Sessions
• Afternoon: Single-track paper presentations
• Evening (Day 4): The Conference Gala Dinner (always a highlight)

Day 5 - July 17

• Morning: Final paper presentations and the Early Career Spotlight
• Afternoon: Closing sessions and the prestigious awards ceremony
• Evening: Conference wraps up

Registration

Registration for RSS 2026 is officially open, and the “early bird” rates are there for the taking for those who don’t dither. Securing your pass early isn’t just about saving a few quid; it’s about guaranteeing your spot at what is arguably the most important date on the academic robotics calendar.

• Register Now on the official RSS 2026 website
• Pricing: All fees are in Australian Dollars (AUD). Early bird rates (available until May 11, 2026) are:
  • Student: $750 (approx. £390)
  • Academic (Postdoc/Researcher/Professor): $1,250 (approx. £650)
  • Industry: $1,550 (approx. £810)
• What’s Included: Full registration grants you access to every session, workshop, and the exhibition hall, plus daily catering and tickets for the poster sessions and the Gala Dinner.
• Deadline: The early bird offer flies away on May 11, 2026. Prices will jump significantly after this date, so it pays to be decisive.