Circular Robotics: Designing Sustainable Autonomy for a Finite World (ICRA 2026 Workshop)

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• Conference: ICRA 2026
• Location: VIECON / Messe Wien, Messeplatz 1, 1020 Vienna
• Date: June 1st 2026

About the workshop

Robotics often supports sustainability elsewhere (e.g., renewable energy, recycling, precision agriculture). However, the sustainability of robotics itself—from material extraction and supply chains to manufacturing, operation, and end-of-life—still lacks established frameworks and visibility in mainstream robotics venues.

This workshop connects robotics researchers with environmental and social scientists, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore circularity in robotics as a practical pathway toward accountable and measurable impact.

Topics & guiding questions

• Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) and environmental accounting for robotic systems
• Circular economy practices: reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling
• Sustainable design: modularity, repairability, design-for-disassembly
• Material flows, supply chains, and responsible sourcing
• Standards, Governance & environmental accountability in robotics
• Aligning robotics innovation with long-term societal and ecological priorities

Timing

Why Participate?

• Learn from cross-disciplinary keynotes and panel perspectives
• Connect with global sustainability-focused robotics initiatives
• Contribute to a shared roadmap for circular and responsible robotics
• Build collaborations that continue beyond ICRA

Organizers

Dr. Patrick Courtney (King’s College London) · Asst. Prof. Fausto Ferreira (University of Zagreb / MARBLE) · Sharath Chandra Akkaladevi (PROFACTOR, Primary Contact) · Franziska Kirstein (Three Robotics) · Dr. Adrien Escande (Inria) · Assoc. Prof. Ludovic Righetti (NYU) · Dr. Carl Maria Mörch (FARI/ULB) · Prof. Luisa Damiano (IULM) · Dr. Shirley A. Elprama (imec-SMIT/VUB) · Dr. Ilaria Alfieri (IULM)