A global spotlight will soon shine on Pittsburgh as it becomes the epicenter for robotics enthusiasts worldwide. Carnegie Mellon University (CMU), a pioneer in the realm of robotics, is set to host a major gathering of experts and innovators at a prestigious conference.
Event and Participation Details
The city will welcome the 2026 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) from September 27 to October 3 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. This event is expected to attract over 4,000 attendees, showcasing nearly 2,000 research papers that address significant challenges in the field. The conference will also feature 145 organizations on the exhibition floor, and CMU will play a significant role with its own innovations on display, culminating in a grand robot parade.
CMU’s Legacy and Role
CMU has a storied history in robotics, having established the first academic department in the United States dedicated to this field. Over the past 40 years, its researchers have been at the forefront of applying robotics in real-world scenarios, from autonomous vehicles to space exploration. Martial Hebert, the dean of the School of Computer Science at CMU, remarked, “Carnegie Mellon has shaped robotics since its beginnings and continues to push the field forward. IROS is an opportunity to bring the global robotics community together and to highlight the breadth of research happening at CMU and throughout Pittsburgh.”
Pittsburgh: A Hub for Robotics
The last time Pittsburgh hosted IROS was in 1995, coinciding with the “No Hands Across America” initiative, where a CMU-developed autonomous vehicle traversed nearly 3,000 miles. This year, around 300 CMU community members will participate in the conference. They will contribute through 180 paper presentations, workshops, and keynote addresses. Howie Choset, the general chair of IROS 2026, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “Hosting IROS in Pittsburgh is especially meaningful to me. I’m deeply grateful to the extraordinary team whose hard work made it possible.”
Robotics Infrastructure and Innovation
Pittsburgh’s reputation as a hub of innovation is bolstered by institutions like CMU. With the establishment of the Robotics Institute in 1979 and the National Robotics Engineering Center in 1996, the city has long been a powerhouse in the field. Recently, the Robotics Innovation Center opened its doors, focusing on cutting-edge research in physical AI, automated science, and field robotics. Conference attendees will have the opportunity to tour these facilities, including Mill 19, which houses the Manufacturing Futures Institute.
Collaborations and Future Prospects
CMU’s influence extends beyond academia into the industrial sector. Robotics Row, a vibrant area along the Allegheny River, is home to numerous CMU spinout companies, including Aurora, Skild AI, and HEBI Robotics. Wenshan Wang, an RI systems scientist, noted the importance of the conference, stating, “IROS has always been a place to find inspiration, exchange ideas and build lasting connections with researchers from around the world.”
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