Agenda

Keynotes and Panel Discussions

Welcome Coffee and Check-in

Start the day with a networking coffee and check-in.

Speaker

Joëlle Ziegler

Senior Project Manager at Bern Economic Development Agency

Welcome address by the Canton of Bern

Speaker

Dr.-Ing. Dominic Gorecky

Head of Swiss Smart Factory and President of Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Opening Remarks by the Swiss Smart Factory, Switzerland Innovation Park Biel/Bienne

Speaker

Dr. Hakan Girgin

Innovation Manager at Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Opening Remarks by the Swiss Cobotics Competence Center (S3C)

Speaker

David Reger

CEO, Neura Robotics

Cognitive Robots – Humanity’s Trump Card

Could AI become the first true competitor to the human brain and its creativity? Will AI one day tell us what to do with our human bodies? To ensure a future where AI serves humanity, Neura Robotics is developing cognitive robots that enable AI to act physically and perform tasks autonomously.

The key to this future lies in equipping robots with cognitive abilities—allowing them to reliably recognize and protect humans, act independently, anticipate based on what they learn, and continuously improve from every experience, making them even more helpful next time.

The robots of the future will need more than just perception and advanced, genuine artificial intelligence. They require a full spectrum of cognitive capabilities and, most importantly, outstanding hardware – a body that can move within environments designed for humans. This ensures that AI does not become a deity dictating from the metaverse but remains a true support system when we need help in the real world.

Moderator

Katrin J. Yuan

CEO, Swiss Future Institute

Participants

David Reger

CEO Neura Robotics

Prof. Dr. Emre Ugur

Associate Professor at Bogazici University

Zakia Zeroual

Board Member at Swiss Engineering, AI and robotics specialist

Andre Heskamp

Vice President of Advanced Automation Technology at Schaeffler

Humanoids on the Horizon: Bridging Technology and Industry

Explore the latest innovations in humanoid robotics and their real-world applications. This session will address important issues, such as:

• What is the current state of humanoid robotics technology and its capabilities?

• What are the biggest technical challenges currently facing humanoid robotics?

• What technological advancements (e.g. AI, sensor technology) are crucial for the widespread adoption of humanoid robots in industries?

• Which industries are most likely to benefit from humanoid robotics in the near future?

• What (technological) barriers currently prevent the integration of humanoid robotics into various industries?

Coffee Break

Speaker

Lukas M. Ziegler

Robotics & Al Advocate with Global Influence

What Happens When AI Meets Robotics? 2025 Robotics Update

This keynote explores how AI is revolutionizing robotics in 2025, unlocking new levels of autonomy, adaptability, and intelligence. It delves into recent innovations, real-world applications, and key breakthroughs shaping the future of automation. From transforming industries to enhancing daily life, discover the profound impact of AI-driven robotics on technology and society.

Moderator

Dr.-Ing. Dominic Gorecky

Head of Swiss Smart Factory and President of Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Participants

Prof. Dr. David Romero

Full Professor, Tecnológico de Monterrey University

Oliver Authried

Project Coordinator at the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in the Division of Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence

Firas Ghanem

Industrial Development Expert at Digital Transformation and Artificial Intelligence department, UNIDO

Dr. Xavier Comtesse

Innovation Strategist, Futurist, and Thought Leader *Digital Transformation*

Prof. Dr. Yulia Sandamirskaya

Head of a Research Center “Cognitive computing in Life Sciences” at ICLS/ZHAW

Dr. Seungjoon Yang

Professor at Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology

The Humanoid Revolution: Are We Ready Yet?

This panel will explore the readiness of humanoid robots for integration into the workforce. Key topics will include:

• What are socio-economic impacts of humanoid robots in the workplace?

• What are the necessary ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks needed for widespread adoption?

• What role will humanoid robots play in addressing labor shortages and aging populations?

• How should humanoid robots be designed and integrated to collaborate well with human workers?

• What (socio-technological) barriers currently prevent the integration of humanoid robotics into various industries?

Name

Designation

Name

Designation

Lunch Break and Visit of Exhibition

Moderator

Dr.-Ing. Dominic Gorecky

Head of Swiss Smart Factory and President of Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Participants

Prof. Dr. Sarah Dégallier Rochat

Professor, Berner Fachhochschule BFH

Chaoyi Li

Head of Globalization, Booster Robotics

Hiroyuki Fujii

Business Development Manager, Kawada Robotics Corporation

Kai Leuze

CEO of inMotion.robotic, representing Deep Robotics

Zakia Zeroual

Board Member at Swiss Engineering, AI and robotics specialist

David Weder

CEO, Swiss Cobotics Competence Center S3C

Tobias Rainer Schäfle

Business Segment Manager Automated Intralogistics and Manufacturing Systems Fraunhofer IPA

Dr. Xavier Comtesse

Innovation Strategist, Futurist, and Thought Leader *Digital Transformation*

Yuki Long

Founder Sino Swiss Hub

Pitching Session with Insights from Industrial and Academic Leaders

Join us for an engaging pitching session featuring up to twenty presentations, each lasting 10 minutes, from leading figures in both industry and academia. This session will provide a unique opportunity to gain insights into the latest innovations, research breakthroughs, practical applications and critical reflections in the field of humanoid robotics.

Humanoid Robots: Futuristic Fantasy or Functional Reality?
Building an Ecosystem for Developers of Embodied AI based on Humanoid Robots
Humanoids for Humanity: Investing in Machines to Uplift Society
Swiss Cobotics Competence Center – Shaping the Future of Manufacturing: From Cobotics to Humanoid Robotics in Industry
AI & Gravity : the Real World is Ready for AI
NEXTAGE: The Dexterous Humanoid Robot activating Hundreds of Sites in Japan
Revolutionizing Tomorrow: Are We Ready to Transform Society and Industry with Humanoid Innovation?
Humanoid Robots – Game Changer or Dead End?
Embodied Intelligence: Unlocking the Future of Robotics in Industry
add more…

Speaker

Prof. Dr. Auke J. Ijspeert

Professor at EPFL, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Bio-inspired control of humanoid and animal-like robots

The ability to efficiently move and act in complex environments is a fundamental property both for animals and for robots, and the problem of locomotion and movement control is an area in which neuroscience, biomechanics, and robotics can fruitfully interact. In this talk, I will present how robots and deep reinforcement learning can be used to investigate, and hopefully replicate, how animals (including humans) learn and control locomotion.

Coffee Break

Moderator

Dr. Milan Kumar

CIO, ZF Commercial Vehicles (CVS), TEDx Speaker, Global CIO & CDO Awards Winner, CIO Series Author, Forbes Tech Council

Participants

Lukas M. Ziegler

Robotics & Al Advocate with Global Influence

Prof. Dr. Auke J. Ijspeert

Professor at EPFL, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

Urs Gehrig

Head of Competence Center Predictive Maintenance, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB-CFF-FFS)

Dr. Davide Zappetti

Innovation Manager at Enchanted Tools

Humanoid robotics: Hype or Real ROI?

This panel will critically examine whether investments in humanoid robotics are aiming at tangible returns or just chasing a futuristic vision. Key questions to be addressed include:

Are humanoid robots effectively addressing the most pressing problems in various industries?
How do we balance the excitement around humanoid robotics with realistic expectations?
Are the first investments in humanoid robots delivering measurable returns on investment (ROI)?
What are the primary barriers to achieving significant ROI from humanoid robotics?
How can humanoid robots be made more accessible and affordable for small and medium-sized enterprises?

Speakers

Prof. Dr. David Romero

Full Professor, Tecnológico de Monterrey University

Dr.-Ing. Dominic Gorecky

Head of Swiss Smart Factory and President of Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Closing Remarks

Recap of the day’s discussions and a preview of the next day’s workshops.

Live Demonstrations and Networking

Showcasing cutting-edge robotic technologies and their applications.

Evening Reception

Join us for a delightful dinner reception, offering a perfect opportunity for informal networking over drinks and a meal.

Cluster Workshops

Workshop participants will be issued a certificate

Welcome Coffee and Check-in

Start the day with a networking coffee and check-in.

Speakers

Dr. Anca Georgiana Rusu

Executive Director, Swiss Robotics Association (SRA)

Dr. Sylvain Calinon

Senior Researcher at Idiap Research Institute

Dr. Hakan Girgin

Innovation Manager at Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Introduction

Introduction to the day’s focus areas: challenges in programming and data management.

Moderator

Dr. Hakan Girgin

Innovation Manager at Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Participants

Dr. Sylvain Calinon

Senior Researcher at Idiap Research Institute

Kartik Sachdev

Solutions Architect – Robotics & AI at NVIDIA

Dr. Baptiste Busch

CEO & Cofounder of AICA

Prof. Dr. Arash Ajoudani

Director of HRI² Laboratory

AI in Humanoid Robotics

The session will feature several experts, each giving a 7-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session for audience interaction.

Explore how artificial intelligence is transforming humanoid robotics, driving innovation across industries. This panel will discuss the integration of AI into humanoid systems, tackling challenges like perception, decision-making, and adaptability in complex environments. Discover how advancements in AI enable humanoids to perform sophisticated tasks, learn autonomously, and collaborate seamlessly with humans, paving the way for new possibilities in automation and robotics.

Coffee Break

Instructor

Dr. Sylvain Calinon

Senior Researcher at Idiap Research Institute

Programming Humanoid Robots - Hands-On Session

This session aims to provide an overview of the most important math principles needed to start programming humanoid robots. We will see how humanoids can be used to reach and grasp objects, how they can maintain balance, how they can react to external perturbations, etc. The session will take the form of an interactive live coding presentation, with a tutorial designed using Robotics Codes from Scratch. The participants can follow the explanations and interactive exercises during the presentation, but they can also run and replicate the demonstrated codes from a web browser (for this option, the participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops).

Instructor

Dr. Reik Leiterer

Booster Manager, Innovation Booster Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Anca Georgiana Rusu

Executive Director, Swiss Robotics Association (SRA)

Workshop on AI in Humanoid Robotics

While the hands-on programming workshop takes place, a parallel session on AI in Humanoid Robotics will provide participants the chance to engage in an interactive brainstorming session. This workshop, facilitated in collaboration between Innovation Booster Artificial Intelligence and the Swiss Robotics Association, will include focused discussions and collaborative ideation. Leveraging the combined expertise of both organizations, participants will delve into the challenges and opportunities of AI integration in humanoid systems, fostering innovative solutions and creative problem-solving.

Lunch Break

Moderator

Dr. Hakan Girgin

Innovation Manager at Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Dr. Anca Georgiana Rusu

Executive Director, Swiss Robotics Association (SRA)

Participants

Alex Petrovic

MSc in AI Robotics Research Lab at Hochschule Luzern (HSLU)

Prof. Dr. Yulia Sandamirskaya

Head of a Research Center "Cognitive computing in Life Sciences" at ICLS/ZHAW

Dr. Sébastien Dalibard

Hardware Chief Technology Officer at Aldebaran

Prof. Dr. Robert Katzschmann

Assistant Professor at the Department of Mechanical and Process Engineering

Humanoids in day-to-day life

The session will feature several experts, each giving a 7-minute presentation, followed by a 15-minute Q&A session for audience interaction.

Humanoids are becoming integral to daily living, offering support in areas like caregiving, education, and home management. This discussion will focus on the practical and societal aspects of integrating humanoids into our routines, emphasizing user-friendly design, trust-building, and creating meaningful human-robot interactions. Join us to explore how humanoids are redefining the way we live and connect.

Coffee Break

Instructor

Kartik Sachdev

Solutions Architect – Robotics & AI at NVIDIA

NVIDIA Isaac Lab: Introduction & Hands-on Session

In this workshop, developers and decision makers will discover the power of Isaac Lab, NVIDIA’s next-generation robotics learning framework. We will introduce the overall Isaac Lab stack and delve into key highlights, including accurate physics simulation, tiled rendering, and reinforcement learning.

Through examples of real-world use cases and a hands-on demo, attendees will experience firsthand the flexibility and versatility of Isaac Lab, featuring a diverse range of environments, robot types, assets, and sensors. Join us to unlock the full potential of robotics development and take the first step towards creating intelligent, autonomous robots that can learn and adapt in complex and dynamic environments. The participants can follow along with the presenter or bring their own laptop with Isaac Sim and Isaac Lab installed.

Instructor

Dr. Reik Leiterer

Booster Manager, Innovation Booster Artificial Intelligence

Dr. Anca Georgiana Rusu

Executive Director, Swiss Robotics Association (SRA)

Workshop on Humanoids in day-to-day life

Running alongside the NVIDIA Isaac Lab workshop, the parallel session on Humanoids in Day-to-Day Life invites participants to explore how humanoids can enhance everyday living. Facilitated in collaboration between Innovation Booster Artificial Intelligence and the Swiss Robotics Association (SRA), this workshop will begin with a brainstorming activity designed to generate fresh ideas and solutions for integrating humanoids into daily routines, with a focus on practicality and meaningful human-robot interactions.

Speaker

David Weder

CEO of Swiss Cobotics Competence Center

Closing Remarks

Recap of the day’s discussions.

Networking and Farewell Reception

A closing session for participants to network, exchange ideas, and discuss potential collaborations, accompanied by refreshments.