Robotics is rapidly advancing and becoming a cornerstone of modern societies—yet its environmental footprint and societal integration are still underexplored. This workshop brings robotics and sustainability together and asks: What kinds of robots are we producing—and how are we producing them?

Circular Robotics applies circular economy thinking, lifecycle approaches, and sustainable design principles to help robotics evolve within planetary boundaries.

Key information

  • Format: Half-day workshop (preferred: 08:30–12:30 CET)

  • Conference: ICRA 2026

  • Location & room: VIECON / Messe Wien, Messeplatz 1, 1020 Vienna

  • Date:  1. Juni 2026 (actual time will be published soon)

 

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, and environmental accountability in robotics

  • Aligning robotics innovation with long-term societal and ecological priorities

Format & structure

Part 1 – Expert insights & dialogue

  • Keynotes by internationally renowned speakers

  • Panel discussion across regions, disciplines, and career stages

  • Audience Q&A

Part 2 – Initiatives & action

  • 5-minute pitches from selected sustainability initiatives worldwide

  • Interactive roadmapping session to identify shared challenges, synergies, and next steps

 

Tentative schedule

  • 08:30 – 08:40 Welcome, goals, and agenda

  • 08:40 – 09:20 Keynote 1: Building Sustainable Supply Chains in Robotics: Learning from the Electronics Sector — a. Prof. Dr. André Martinuzzi (Vienna University of Economics and Business, AT)

  • 09:20 – 10:00 Keynote 2: Robots as endangered species — Prof. José Halloy (Université Paris Cité, FR)

  • 10:00 – 10:30 Panel discussion

  • 10:30 – 11:00 Coffee break & networking

  • 11:00 – 11:30 Short pitches (5 min each)

  • 11:30 – 12:30 Collaborative roadmap: shared actions & next steps

 

Confirmed speakers & panelists

  • a. Prof. Dr. André Martinuzzi — Institute for Managing Sustainability, WU Vienna

  • Prof. José Halloy — Université Paris Cité

  • Asst. Prof. Corina Barbalata — Louisiana State University

  • Asst. Prof. Malika Meghjani — Singapore University of Technology and Design

  • Assoc. Prof. Ludovic Righetti — New York University

 

Call for initiatives: Pitch your sustainability work

We welcome sustainability-focused initiatives, projects, and working groups worldwide to apply for a 5-minute pitch slot. Applications will be reviewed by the organizing committee to ensure a high-quality and diverse set of perspectives.

  • Submissions (Important Dates)

    •  Will be open on the 16th of February 2026

    • Close on the 9th of March 2026

    • Results will be announced on the 23rd of March 2026

 

Why attend?

  • 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)

Contact

Primary contact: Sharath Chandra Akkaladevi — sharath.akkaladevi@nullprofactor.at