Integrating artificial intelligence and Digital Twin technologies into robotic and automated systems
remains challenging, particularly in ensuring interoperability and seamless interaction among various
components within complex operational environments. Although many individual technologies have matured
significantly, standardized integration methodologies and robust interfaces remain underdeveloped,
limiting broad industrial adoption and scalability.
This workshop addresses these critical gaps by focusing on AI-driven integration solutions enhanced
through Digital Twin technologies, which provide real-time synchronization, accurate simulation, and
improved reliability of robotic systems. By gathering experts from academia, industry, and startups,
the workshop will discuss practical methodologies, standardization strategies, and successful case
studies, emphasizing the importance of overcoming integration barriers to achieve scalable, efficient,
and reliable robotic solutions.
Topics of Interest
- AI-driven integration methodologies for robotic and automated systems
- Practical case studies of robotic system integration in manufacturing, logistics, and construction
- Standardization and interoperability in robotic integration
- Reliability and robustness of integrated robotic systems
- Ethical considerations and societal acceptance of AI-enhanced semi-automatic systems
- Human-robot interaction and collaboration in automated and semi-automatic contexts
- Accessibility and inclusivity through AI-enhanced robotics
- Digital Twin technologies as enablers of robotic system integration
- Industrial perspectives and experiences in adopting integrated robotic systems
- Emerging trends and future directions in robotic and automated system integration
| Time |
Format |
Speaker |
Title |
| 08:30–08:40 |
Opening & Welcome |
Organizers |
Digital-Twin–enabled integration: scope & goals |
| SESSION I: Methods & Architectures |
| 08:40–09:05 |
Research Talk I |
Thrishantha Nanayakkara |
Situated Heuristics-Based Evolution of Mechanically Intelligent Systems (SHAPE) |
| 09:05–09:30 |
Research Talk II |
Darius Burschka |
Vision-Based Parametrization of the Digital Twin in Dynamic Environments through Analysis of Action Constraints |
| 09:30–09:45 |
Lightning Papers |
Contributors |
Authors of accepted submissions — 3 × 5 min |
| 09:45–10:15 |
Coffee & Posters |
— |
Poster session and networking |
| SESSION II: Validation & Deployment |
| 10:15–10:40 |
Research Talk III |
Agostino Marcello Mangini |
A Digital Twin Approach for a New Concept of Last-Mile Delivery |
| 10:40–11:05 |
Research Talk IV |
Jing Xiao |
Dynamic Dense Packing of Novel Objects |
| SESSION III: Applied Perspectives |
| 11:05–11:15 |
Industry Talk I |
Viviana Crescitelli |
Generative AI for Industries |
| 11:15–11:25 |
Industry Talk II |
Felix Ocker |
Title TBC |
| 11:25–11:35 |
Startup Spotlight |
Startup teams (selected) |
2 × 5 min short talks — TBC |
| SESSION IV: Takeaways & Closing |
| 11:35–12:05 |
Panel |
Speakers + organizers |
Standards, synchronization/verification, adoption |
| 12:05–12:20 |
Open Discussion |
— |
Audience questions with all speakers |
| 12:20–12:30 |
Closing |
— |
Closing remarks |
Final times depend on the official ICRA 2026 schedule.
Speakers
Thrishantha Nanayakkara Academic
Director, Morphlab — Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London (UK)
Darius Burschka Academic
Head, Machine Vision & Perception Group — Technical University of Munich (Germany)
Agostino Marcello Mangini Academic
Dept. of Electrical & Information Engineering — Politecnico di Bari (Italy)
Jing Xiao Academic
Head, Dept. of Robotics Engineering; Director, AIR Lab — Worcester Polytechnic Institute (USA)
Viviana Crescitelli Industry
Senior Researcher; Hitachi AI Ambassador — Hitachi, Ltd. (Japan)
Felix Ocker Industry
Senior Scientist — Honda Research Institute (Germany)
We invite short papers (2–4 pages) and extended abstracts (1–2 pages) on
Digital-Twin–enabled integration for robotics—methods, tools, datasets, and
case studies (interoperability, synchronization, simulation/verification,
deployment experience). Contributions should emphasize new ideas, practical
insights, and real-world integration experience.
Accepted contributions will be presented as 5-minute lightning talks and posters,
with selected teams featured in a dedicated Startup Spotlight session.
Submissions should be provided as PDF (IEEE style preferred).
Startup Spotlight
Startup and industry teams developing AI-driven robotic integration
and Digital Twin solutions are especially encouraged to apply.
Selected startups will present in a dedicated 5-minute Spotlight session
and poster/demo space focused on real-world deployment and integration challenges.
- Submission deadline: April 20, 2026 (23:59 AoE)
- Notification of acceptance: May 5, 2026
- Submission format: 2–4 page short paper or 1–2 page extended abstract (PDF, IEEE style preferred)
- Submission portal: Google Form
- Presentation format: lightning talk + poster or Startup Spotlight
Awards & Participant Support
This workshop is supported by the
IEEE RAS Automation Cluster
.
The workshop includes awards and participation grants to encourage
early-career researchers and startup contributors.
- Best Startup Perspective Award: USD 200
- Best Lightning Talk Award: USD 200
- Participation Grants: Two grants of USD 300 each for early-career researchers or young startup founders
Participation grants are intended to support early-career researchers and young startup founders.
Awards and grants will be determined by the organizing committee based on submission quality and relevance to the workshop themes.
Angela Faragasso
Finger Vision, Japan
Birgit Vogel‑Heuser
Technical University of Munich, Germany
Maria Pia Fanti
Politecnico di Bari, Italy