The Robotics Summit & Expo, produced by The Robotic Report, has unveiled the primary take a look at its convention agenda for the April 30-Might 1 occasion on the Boston Conference and Exhibition Heart. The Robotics Summit & Expo brings collectively 5,000+ builders centered on constructing robots for a wide range of industrial industries.
Attendees will acquire insights into the newest enabling applied sciences, engineering finest practices, and rising developments. There shall be 70-plus audio system on stage, 10+ hours of devoted networking time, a Girls in Robotics Breakfast, a MassRobotics startup showcase, and extra. Returning to the present is the RBR50 Pavilion and RBR50 Awards Dinner that can honor the winners of the annual RBR50 Robotics Innovation Awards.
Past the keynotes and convention periods, there shall be 200-plus displays and demos on the expo present ground, a profession truthful, a robotics improvement problem, networking alternatives and extra.
The whole agenda for the Robotics Summit & Expo is beneath. You can even view the agenda right here to plan your journey and register right here. Early chook registration for the Robotics Summit ends Feb. 28. Observe that audio system are nonetheless being added.
Wednesday, April 30, 2025
Opening Keynote: Welcome to the Period of Bodily Intelligence
Speaker: Daniela Rus, Director, MIT CSAIL
9-9:45 AM
Bodily Intelligence is achieved when AI’s energy to know textual content, photographs, alerts, and different data is used to make bodily machines akin to robots clever. To realize efficient bodily intelligence, we want energy-efficient AI programs that may run reliably on robots, sensors, and different edge units. On this keynote, MIT CSAIL Director Daniela Rus will talk about the challenges of transformer-based basis AI fashions. She may also introduce various physics-based fashions and clarify how they obtain efficiency effectively.
The Way forward for Logistics Automation
Speaker: TBD
10-10:45 AM
The way forward for logistics automation is evolving quickly, pushed by developments in robotics, AI, and autonomous programs. This keynote will discover rising applied sciences shaping warehouse and provide chain automation, from cellular robots to robotic choosing and all the things in between.
Case Research: How Automation is Altering the Warehouse
Speaker: Kait Peterson, VP of Product Advertising, Locus Robotics
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
This session explores the transformative impression of data-driven warehouse automation, that includes case research from numerous industries like retail, 3PL, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Achieve worthwhile insights into the journey of implementing robotic applied sciences, together with autonomous cellular robots (AMRs), from system integration and alter administration to ongoing optimization and efficiency measurement. The session additionally highlights how distribution operations have efficiently scaled their automation methods and gives steerage on subsequent steps for evolving automation efforts.
Commercializing Robotics: The Energy of Manufacturing Partnerships
Audio system: Jennifer Apicella, Government Director at Pittsburgh Robotics Community; Larry Jasinski, Chief Government Officer at Lifeward (extra audio system to return)
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Be a part of our panel of specialists as they discover the vital function of outsourcing in robotics commercialization. Discover how leveraging strategic manufacturing partnerships can speed up time to market, improve product high quality, and optimize prices. Our seasoned panelists will share real-world methods, insights, and finest practices for turning revolutionary concepts into profitable merchandise. Uncover firsthand the best way to navigate frequent challenges and scale operations successfully from leaders who’ve accomplished all of it.
Register at this time to avoid wasting 40% on convention passes!
Growing a Low Profile, Energy Dense Actuator to Meet the Calls for of Present Robotic Designs
Speaker: Adam Farley, NE Regional Gross sales Engineer, Harmonic Drive
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
This session will talk about the necessity for movement management options that supply vanguard efficiency and reliability, whereas navigating round tight design constraints. Energy density continues to be a cornerstone in robotic actuator design, however that is usually compromised by extra performance required of actuators and their cabling. We’ll study a brand new resolution to those issues by way of the event of Harmonic Drive’s expertise.
Navigating Constraints When Designing Movement Management for Medical Robotic Joints
Speaker: Jordan Schaeffer, Novanta
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Designing a robotic arm for medical functions presents technical challenges and buyer wants. The main focus is on creating an environment friendly robotic system that performs particular medical duties whereas making certain affected person security, includes cautious joint design and element choice. Prospects intention to design, assemble, combine, and certify these programs, all whereas in search of innovation to keep up a aggressive edge. Nonetheless, they face challenges akin to house constraints, warmth era, complexity, and excessive prices. To beat these obstacles, clients search for positive aspects akin to counting on business specialists, decreasing time to market, outsourcing non-core actions, and attaining a aggressive benefit. Understanding these elements permits us to higher assist engineers when designing for Medical Robots.
Key ROS 2 Options to Be taught as ROS 1 Sunsets
Speaker: Geoffrey Biggs, CTO, Open Supply Robotics Basis
1:45 – 2:30 PM
The primary public launch of ROS 2 was made by the Open Supply Robotics Basis greater than 10 years in the past. Since then, ROS 2 use in industrial services has grown enormously. On this speak, we are going to take a look at only a few of the unimaginable successes that ROS 2 has enabled world wide, in a variety of fields. ROS 2 has enabled profitable ventures in fields as assorted as warehouse robotics, in-factory transportation, long-term ocean analysis, supply drones, lodge supply, hospital automation, and even on the Worldwide Area Station. By means of these examples, attendees will be taught why constructing on ROS 2 permits them to obtain the work of lots of of engineers for a lot decrease funding than constructing from scratch, and why utilizing ROS 2 is the easiest way to attain success of their product improvement and scale as much as full deployment sooner than by constructing all the things themselves. We may also talk about perceived limitations to adoption, and what’s on the horizon for ROS 2. ROS 1 reaches finish of life on Might 31, 2025.
Nuts & Bolts of Robotic Navigation
Audio system: Sonali Deshpande, Workers Robotics Software program Engineer at Relay Robotics; Andrea Okerholm Huttlin, Senior Workers Software program Engineer at Collaborative Robotics; Garrett Place, Enterprise Improvement Supervisor of Robotic Notion Applied sciences at ifm USA; William Sitch, Chief Enterprise Officer at Most important Avenue Autonomy
1:45 – 2:30 PM
This panel will discover the necessities of robotic navigation, providing sensible insights into finest practices, sensing modalities, and approaches that guarantee protected and dependable navigation in real-world environments. We’ll discover key subjects akin to sensor fusion, SLAM strategies, path planning, and impediment avoidance, emphasizing the significance of strong programs for dynamic, unstructured settings, and extra.
Surgical Robotic Haptics & Pressure Interplay
Speaker: Robert Brooks, Founder & CEO at ForceN
1:45 – 2:30 PM
This speak gives a sensible information to implementing drive/torque sensing in surgical & medical robotics. It can cowl use instances generally surgical procedure, ophthalmic, catheter, & orthopedic robotics. It can talk about finest practices for designing drive reflecting haptics, affected person contact & localization, & surgeon collaboration. Attendees may also be taught concerning the newest advances in drive/torque sensing expertise, together with advances in overload safety, fast prototyping, and edge intelligence.
Advancing Distant Surgical procedure: Tackling Latency, Precision, and Safety Points
Speaker: Darren Porras, Market Improvement Supervisor, Healthcare at RTI
2:45 – 3:30 PM
Distant surgical robotics require a posh interaction of robots, communication infrastructure and real-time management programs. Technical hurdles stay which can be impacting the reliability, precision and adoption of distant surgical procedure. These challenges embody latency and community reliability; AI-powered haptic suggestions and precision; knowledge safety and privateness; system integration and scalability; and fail-safe system environments. Attendees will be taught concerning the cutting-edge applied sciences, akin to AI and machine studying, that allow distant surgical procedure. The speak may also discover new options to the technical challenges which can be slowing down progress. The speak will embody an indication of an built-in multi-vendor system that makes use of industrial off-the-shelf software program to course of knowledge from a distant controller shopper to a robotic arm. It can additionally illustrate how the system makes use of a data-centric structure to guard itself in opposition to unauthorized entry.
Constructing Robots that Scale for Massive Corporations
Speaker: Mikell Taylor, Principal Technical Product Supervisor at Amazon Robotics
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Massive firms like Amazon are working at large scale with excessive calls for on security, reliability, effectivity, and price. Efficiently promoting expertise to them is usually a main win however with out the best method, there may be many ache factors. Be a part of this session to listen to straight from design and improvement groups inside Amazon Robotics to be taught extra and get your questions answered about the best way to construct and companion with massive firms and efficiently deploy programs with the best deal with security, value, knowledge privateness, community safety, IP possession, and extra.
How Cellular Manipulators are Re-defining Logistics
Speaker: Jan Zizka, CEO & Co-founder at Brightpick
2:45 PM – 3:30 PM
Cellular manipulation is quickly rising as the following frontier in robotics. Cellular manipulators are available in many alternative types, every providing distinctive benefits and a few already attaining widespread adoption. Early deployments have confirmed that cellular manipulators have the potential to rework the automation panorama, providing larger flexibility, superior efficiency, and extra labor financial savings than present applied sciences. This speak will discover the present state of cellular manipulation, showcase profitable deployments, and talk about how companies can leverage these programs to boost their operations.
Planetary Pivot – Scaling Cellular Robotics with Trendy Actuator Ideas
Speaker: Alessandro Forino, Head of Robotic Drive Methods at maxon
2:45-3:30 PM
The speak will discover the evolution of actuator designs in trendy cellular robotics, emphasizing the shift in the direction of lower-cost and fewer advanced programs whereas sustaining excessive efficiency. Conventional robotics functions, akin to industrial manipulators, have relied on exact movement management with low-backlash gears and high-stiffness elements. Nonetheless, rising developments in autonomous cellular robots, which function in unstructured environments and work together carefully with people, necessitate new actuator paradigms.
Threat is Completely different with AI: Methods for Resilient Robots
Speaker: SK Gupta, Co-Founder & Chief Scientist at GrayMatter Robotics
2:45 – 3:30 PM
AI is remodeling numerous industries, however its deployment introduces distinctive dangers that should be rigorously managed. As AI turns into integral to manufacturing, healthcare, and different sectors, understanding and mitigating these dangers is essential for achievement. This speak will discover key dangers related to AI in robotics, together with vulnerabilities in coaching knowledge, potential algorithmic errors, privateness and safety issues, and the impression on workforce expertise. It can introduce sensible frameworks for auditing coaching knowledge, verifying AI fashions, and customizing instruments for particular threat administration wants. Moreover, the speak will talk about methods for making certain compliance with rising laws and stopping unintended penalties that might hurt each companies and the setting. Attendees will acquire insights into finest practices for assessing system efficiency, implementing failsafes, and adapting to altering situations—making certain that AI instruments are deployed safely, successfully, and ethically.
Advancing Robotic Studying with Pressure Sensing & Bodily Intelligence
Speaker: Klajd Lika, CEO & Founder at Bota Methods
4:15 – 5 PM
Robots have historically excelled in industrial settings with exact, repetitive duties, however their adaptability in dynamic, unstructured environments has been restricted resulting from advanced programming necessities. AI and Machine Studying (ML) promise to make robots extra adaptable and simpler to program, but challenges stay, notably in knowledge acquisition. Whereas present robotic sensors seize movement knowledge like joint positions and visuals, they usually lack drive measurements essential for predicting actions and dealing with deformable or movable objects. Pressure and torque sensing play an important function in enhancing robotic management and enabling “”bodily intelligence”” by way of AI-driven studying, permitting robots to carry out duties like stopping slippage, greedy delicate objects, and working in dynamic environments. These developments pave the best way for functions in warehouse automation, healthcare, and underwater robotics. This session will discover efficient strategies for equipping robots with drive sensing and capturing high-quality knowledge to advance robotic studying and adaptableness.
The way to Get Your First Robotic into the Manufacturing facility
Speaker: Jan Hennecke, Low-Price Automation Product Supervisor at igus
4:15 – 5 PM
In at this time’s fast-paced manufacturing panorama, automation is not a luxurious—it’s a necessity. However how do you’re taking step one in integrating robotics into your manufacturing facility ground with out breaking the financial institution or disrupting operations? This speak will information you thru the method of introducing your first robotic into manufacturing. Designed for engineers and undertaking managers, this presentation will demystify the world of robotics integration, specializing in sensible, cost-effective methods that ship most ROI. You’ll discover ways to determine processes ripe for automation, select the best low-cost robotic options, and navigate frequent pitfalls in implementation. The speak will share real-world examples and success tales as an example how small investments in robotics can yield important positive aspects in effectivity, consistency, and scalability. Additionally, you will learn the way igus’ revolutionary, low-cost automation options can assist your manufacturing facility keep aggressive in an ever-evolving market.
MassRobotics Healthcare Catalyst Showcase
Audio system: TBD
4:15 – 5 PM
MassRobotics is internet hosting its 4th annual Healthcare Robotics Startup Catalyst. The aim is to advance healthcare robotics firms by offering the connections, steerage and sources they should develop and succeed. Attend this speak to listen to pitches from healthcare robotics startups presently in this system. Every of the startups embodies the revolutionary spirit and potential to rework the healthcare business with their distinctive robotic options.
The State of Humanoids
Audio system: Aaron Prather, Director of Robotics and Autonomous Methods at ASTM Worldwide; Al Makke, Director – Engineering at Schaeffler; Pras Velagapudi, Chief Expertise Officer at Agility Robotics
4:15 – 5 PM
Be a part of business specialists for a panel that explores the technical and enterprise challenges shaping the event of humanoids. Hear insights from early deployments, what’s on the horizon, and the continued efforts to ascertain security requirements.
Combine & Mingle Networking Reception
5 – 7 PM
Join with robotics colleagues from world wide to recap Day 1 of the present, meet up with previous pals and create new connections.
RBR50 Awards Dinner
6 – 8 PM
The RBR50 Awards honor the business’s prime developments annually. The 2025 RBR50 winners shall be celebrated throughout a reception and dinner that returns to the Robotics Summit. Come be taught from and community with robotics innovators world wide.
Thursday, Might 1, 2025
Girls in Robotics Breakfast
Audio system: Laura Main, Interim CEO & CTO at Motional; Joyce Sidopoulos, Co-Founder & Chief of Operations at MassRobotics
8-9 AM
Be a part of robotics business friends for an hour of networking, engagement, and mentorship (and foods and drinks, in fact). Discover a mentor, attain out to a brand new contact, reconnect, and assist foster a motion that wants extra feminine management in any respect ranges. Attendees may also hear from Laura Main and Joyce Sidopoulos about their journeys within the robotics business.
Opening Keynote: Boston Dynamics on Redesigning Atlas & the Way forward for Humanoids
Speaker: Aaron Saunders, CTO at Boston Dynamics
9 – 9:45 AM
Boston Dynamics CTO Aaron Saunders will unpack the brand new, electrical Atlas humanoid and share insights from being on the forefront of humanoid improvement for years. This keynote will discover the challenges and alternatives of constructing humanoids for real-world functions, providing a behind-the-scenes take a look at how Boston Dynamics continues to innovate and push the restrict of robotics.
Keynote: Constructing Robotic Manipulation at Amazon Robotics
Audio system: Steve Crowe, Government Editor at The Robotic Report & Chair of Robotics Summit & Expo; Aaron Parness, Director of Utilized Science in Robotics and Synthetic Intelligence at Amazon Robotics
10 – 10:45 AM
Aaron Parness and Steve Crowe will talk about a number of the newest developments and breakthroughs from Amazon Robotics. The fireplace chat will discover how these developments are enhancing Amazon’s success operations world wide.
Bridging Robotics and Methods Programming: Why Rust is a Recreation Changer
Speaker: Guillaume Binet, Founder at Copper Robotics
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
As robotics programs develop extra advanced, integrating specialists like algorithm builders, machine studying engineers, and management specialists may be difficult—particularly when counting on conventional languages like C++. On this speak, I’ll share my journey of constructing Copper, a robotic runtime designed to deal with these integration hurdles. Rust gives each systems-level efficiency and security, overcoming points like concurrency and undefined habits whereas remaining accessible to builders much less skilled in low-level programming. By means of real-world examples and Rust code snippets, we’ll discover how Rust excels in managing concurrency, writing error-free algorithms, and bridging the hole between low-level management and high-level design underneath the Copper framework. By the top, you’ll see how Rust can streamline robotics improvement, making it extra built-in, environment friendly, and dependable.
Designing Our Subsequent-Era Surgical Robotic
Speaker: Barry Greene, Co-Founder & Chief Medical Officer at Vicarious Surgical
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
This speak will dive into technical and scientific points about Vicarious Surgical’s next-generation surgical robotic, which is designed for distinctive outcomes by way of pure movement, supernatural attain, and streamlined workflows. Utilizing a novel structure with all shifting joints contained in the stomach by way of a single 18 mm port, the system gives optimum orientation, improved security, and lowered incision dimension by 30%. With 9 levels of freedom, 28 sensors per arm, 3D visualization, and multispectral imaging, the robotic enhances decision-making and AI-driven developments in surgical procedure.
From Chaos to Readability: Utilizing AI to Discover Essential Occasions in Robotic Logs
Speaker: Benji Barash, Co-Founder & CEO at Roboto AI
11:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Robots generate large logs of multimodal knowledge, making it difficult to seek out key insights with out sifting by way of all the things manually. This session explores cutting-edge strategies like sign search and vision-language fashions that shortly extract significant knowledge, important for debugging, validation, and coaching robotic basis fashions. Learn to rework robotic logs into a strong device for improvement and next-gen robotics.
Maximizing the Worth of a Warehouse By means of Lights Out Order Achievement
Audio system: Yaro Tenzer, CEO & Co-Founder at RightHand Robotics (extra audio system to return)
11:30 – 12:15 PM
Lights-out order success has been a big aim lately, although some argue that the applied sciences wanted for absolutely automated services aren’t but mature. Nonetheless, a number of firms are already working “lights-out” services. This speak will delve into the perceived hole between expectations and the fact of warehouse operations.
Fundamentals of Robotics {Hardware} & Software program Design
Speaker: Marcin Panek, Robotics Software program Lead at Bosch
1:30 – 2:15 PM
Each robotics system requires a correct and secure software program and {hardware} platform, very like a constructing depends on a strong basis. Expertise from robotics product improvement tasks exhibits that groups usually neglect the vital phases of platform requirement assortment, design, and implementation, as a substitute speeding into growing autonomy options. Some elementary questions to contemplate embody: – What compute unit needs to be used? – What are the system’s compute energy necessities, and the way can they be assessed? – What working system is best suited? Is tough RealTime required? Is protected OS required? – What are the core functionalities and companies of the software program platform? E.g., logging, diagnostics, configuration, and runtime administration. – Is ROS the best selection for each case? What middleware needs to be adopted? – How can AI/ML workloads be effectively executed on the platform? – What are the {hardware} necessities by way of reminiscence, connectivity, {hardware} interfaces, and environmental situations? On this speak, we are going to emphasize the significance of well-designed robotics software program and {hardware} platforms, spotlight frequent points that groups usually encounter late within the undertaking lifecycle, and suggest frameworks to information the platform design course of successfully.
Generative AI’s Impression on Robotics
Audio system: Xavier Chi, Co-Founder at mbodi AI; Ted Larson, CEO at OLogic; Rajat Bhageria, Founder & CEO at Chef Robotics; Karthee Madasamy, Founder & Managing Companion at MFV Companions
1:30 – 2:15 PM
Generative AI is revolutionizing the software program business, however how can this breakthrough be utilized to robotics? This panel will talk about the functions of huge language fashions (LLMs) and textual content era functions to robotics. It can additionally discover elementary methods generative AI may be utilized to robotics design, mannequin coaching, simulation, management, human-machine interplay and extra.
ToF vs. Lively Sterero Imaginative and prescient: Which 3D Imaging Approach is Proper for You?
Speaker: Philip Freidin, Gross sales Engineer at IDS
1:30 – 2:15 PM
Dive into the science of depth sensing on this seminar on 3D imaging for robotics, specializing in active-stereo imaginative and prescient and time-of-flight (TOF) strategies. Be taught the basics, discover the strengths and limitations of every technique, and uncover real-world functions and developments shaping the way forward for automation. Achieve the data to confidently select the perfect 3D imaging expertise in your robotics tasks.
Closing Keynote: Superior Bionics for People & Robots
Speaker: Aadeel Akhtar, CEO & Founder at PSYONIC
3:30 – 4:15 PM
This speak and stay demo explores the synergy between robotics and medical units, highlighting groundbreaking developments in bionic expertise. From the event of prosthetics that restore contact and dexterity to the mixing of robotics for improved human-machine interplay, learn the way cutting-edge analysis and innovation are pushing the boundaries of what’s potential. Uncover the shared challenges and options in creating life-changing units for people and constructing higher robots impressed by biology.
MassRobotics Profession Honest
3:30 – 5:30 PM
The MassRobotics Profession Honest is designed for technical business job seekers, together with each current graduates and seasoned engineers, pc scientists, imaginative and prescient specialists, mechatronics specialists, AI professionals, and extra. Corporations from start-ups to business leaders shall be internet hosting data tables the place candidates can be taught extra concerning the firm, discover out what positions are open, and schedule interviews.