The 23rd International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots
July 15 (Wed)–18 (Sat), 2026, Ritsumeikan University, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan
Welcome to UR2026 in Osaka!
The 23rd International Conference on Ubiquitous Robots (UR 2026) will be held at Osaka Ibaraki Campus (OIC), Ritsumeikan University, Ibaraki, Osaka, Japan, from July 15 to 18, 2026. UR 2026 welcomes contributions from across the foundational spectrum-design, perception, manipulation, mobility, interface, and intelligence- as well as various application domains, including healthcare, defense, disaster response, agriculture, construction, manufacturing, and more.
Important Dates
February 13, 2026 Regular/WIP Paper Submission March 20, 2026 Workshop/Tutorial Proposal Submission April 3, 2026 Acceptance Notification April 24, 2026 Final Paper Submission May 8, 2026 Early Bird Registration Ends
Paper Submission
All papers must be written in English and submitted electronically via RAS Paper Plaza site: https://ras.papercept.net in one of the following two submission categories.
Regular Papers (4-8 pages): Prospective authors are invited to submit high-quality papers for oral presentation, and the accepted papers will be included in Ubiquitous Robots IEEE Xplore Conference Proceedings subject to meeting IEEE Xplore’s scope and quality requirements.
Work-in-Progress Papers (2-4 pages): The conference seeks contributions from a broad set of on-going works for poster presentation with possible active interaction in the conference. The accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings for distribution to the conference participants. WIP papers will not be uploaded to the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and the authors retain the copyright.
We accept papers for oral presentations and extended abstracts for workshops and late-breaking results. Please find more information about deadlines and author instructions.
Find information about College Station, international travel, conference venue, nearby hotels, restaurants, and local attractions. The conference registration site will open soon.
The conference will have technical sections on broad robotics topics and workshops on emerging robotics trends and industry partnership. Tentative program will be available soon.
We have distinguished, renowned plenary speakers confirmed to join UR2026. Please find more information about these speakers and learn more about their exciting research.
“Robotics, AI, and the Quest for Human-Centered Autonomous Systems”
ABSTRACT: Spurred by advances over the last sixty years, robots are no longer confined to factories; they are increasingly integrated into human environments, collaborating closely with people on a diverse range of tasks. As these systems evolve to tackle even more complex roles, a multitude of theoretical and practical challenges arise to ensure their reliability and performance. This talk will delve into the intricacies of developing human-centered robotic systems, placing particular emphasis on the computational underpinnings of motion planning. The first part of the talk will highlight recent advances in motion planning algorithms and explore how they enable robots to execute a wide variety of tasks across diverse settings. Building on this foundation, the second part will address deriving motion from high-level specifications, which define what the robot must achieve rather than how and will touch on issues that relate to interaction with humans. Finally, the talk will briefly discuss how the concepts and techniques refined in motion planning and robotics extend beyond traditional uses – reaching into areas such as computational structural biology and the design of new therapeutics – and highlight the transformative potential of interdisciplinary research.
BIO: Lydia E. Kavraki is the Kenneth and Audrey Kennedy Professor of Computing and professor of Computer Science and Bioengineering at Rice University. She is also the Director of the Ken Kennedy Institute for AI and Computing. Kavraki’s research develops the AI and the algorithmics needed to connect the digital to the physical world. She has two main areas of application for her research. In robotics, she develops methodologies for motion planning, machine learning methods for reasoning under uncertainty, and multi-modal frameworks to instruct robots and collaborate with them. In computational biomedicine, she develops AI methods for understanding biomolecular interactions and aiding the design of new therapeutics. Kavraki is a member of the National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Medicine, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is the recipient of the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society Pioneer Award and the IEEE Frances E. Allen Medal. More information about her work can be found at https://profiles.rice.edu/faculty/lydia-e-kavraki
“From the surface of Mars to the ocean of Enceladus: Advancing the Frontier of Exploration with Adaptive Robotic Space Systems“
ABSTRACT: Robots have been at the forefront of Solar System exploration for over seven decades. Most recently, NASA’s Perseverance rover is on its mission to find a sign of ancient Martian life that might have existed billions of years ago. However, the current approach to robotic planetary exploration heavily depends on ample environmental knowledge accumulated over decades and across multiple missions, resulting in a slow progression toward exploring unvisited worlds beyond Mars. I envision a new robotic space exploration (RSE) paradigm called RSE 3.0, in which a radically adaptive robotic system would explore previously unvisited worlds in one shot. As an instantiation of RSE 3.0, we developed the EELS (Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor) robot, a snake-like robot designed for exploring the potentially inhabited subsurface ocean of Enceladus, a small icy moon of Saturn. EELS combines highly versatile robotic hardware with intelligent, risk-aware autonomy so that it can flexibly adapt its behaviors after landing. We built prototypes of EELS and successfully tested them in a wide range of environments, including natural vertical holes on Athabasca Glacier in Canada. Adaptive and intelligent robots like EELS will be a key enabler of the RSE 3.0 paradigm, which would open the door to the exploration of more distant and challenging worlds than Mars. This seminar will start by describing the autonomous motion planning capability of the Perseverance rover, followed by research on AI/ML applications for future planetary rovers. The technologies and the field demonstrations of EELS will be presented in depth, with particular emphasis on autonomy. Finally, the vision and the potential of RSE 3.0 will be discussed.
BIO: Hiro Ono is the Group Supervisor of the Robotic Mobility Group at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Currently, he serves as the PI of the EELS project to create a highly versatile and intelligent robot for exploring unknown environments such as Enceladus vents. As a member of the Mars 2020 Rover (M2020) Mission, he supports tactical robotic operations. Previously, he developed M2020’s autonomous driving algorithm and also led the landing site traversability analysis. His research interest is centered around the application of robotic autonomy to space exploration, with an emphasis on machine learning applications to perception, data interpretation, and risk-aware decision-making. Before joining JPL in 2013, he was an assistant professor at Keio University in Japan. He graduated from MIT with PhD in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2012. A father ofa rebellious princess and a mischievous munchkin. Go Red Sox and Hanshin Tigers.
“MM-UAV: From Perch-and-Stare to Avatars and Hosing-Drones”
ABSTRACT Mobile-Manipulating Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (MM-UAV) attach robotic limbs to a rotorcraft. This transforms today’s passively surveilling drones, into ones that physically interact with their environment. This technical seminar first presents perch-and-stare micro air vehicles (MAV) circa 2000-2005. Second, the dynamics and control underlying MM-UAVs circa 2008-2017 are given. This is followed with real-world applications of MM-UAV design for bridge maintenance: namely mixed-reality Avatar-Drones (for drilling) and the Hosing-Drone (for cleaning).
BIO: Prof. Paul Oh joined the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) as the Lincy Professor of Unmanned Aerial Systems in 2014. He is the founder and director of the Drones and Autonomous Systems Lab (DASL). Prior, he was in Drexel University’s Mechanical Engineering Department from 2000-2014. He received mechanical engineering degrees from McGill (B. Eng 1989), Seoul National (M. Sc. 1992), and Columbia (PhD 1999) universities. He is a Fellow of NASA (2002), Naval Research Lab (2003), Boeing (2006), ASME (2012) and IEEE (2024). He received research (2004 NSF CAREER) and teaching (2005 SAE Ralph Teetor Award for Engineering Education Excellence) awards and authored over 150 publications and 3 books. From 2008-2010, he served as an NSF Program Director managing the robotics research portfolio. He has lead Teams DRC-Hubo, DRC-Hubo@UNLV and Avatar-Hubo for the 2012-2014, 2015, and 2018-2022 DARPA Robotics Challenges Semi-Finals, Finals, and Avatar XPrize respectively. He recently served as General Chair for IEEE IROS 2020 (IEEE Intelligent Robots and Systems) Conference which gathered over 25,000 online attendees.
[Important Information about Oral Presentations and Poster Sessions]
Oral presentations: All accepted REGULAR papers will be presented in one of two parallel technical sessions either on 7/1 or 7/2. Each presenter will be assigned to a 15-minute slot for 12-minute presentation followed by 2-minute Q&A and 1-minute for transition. All presenters must bring their own computer with USB-C or HDMI ports to connect to the projector in the room. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your session begins to check your presentation and display settings.
Posters: All accepted Work-In-Progress (WIP) and Late-Breaking-Results (LBR) abstracts will be presented in interactive poster sessions. The posters will be mounted on 46-inch (117cm) tall, 70-inch (178cm) wide boards, and presenters may utilize this area at their discretion to prepare the poster. All posters must be mounted at a designated area with the abstract number by 8:30AM on July 1st.
[Panel Announcement] “Robots with Us” @ conference banquet on 7/1, moderated by Prof. Luis Sentis from the University of Texas, Austin.
We are excited to announce a special panel discussion, “Robots with Us,” to be held during the conference banquet at UR 2025. This thoght-provoking session will explore the evolving relationship between humans and robots – from historical milestones to current applications, and forward into a future of human-robot co-living.
Bringing together distinguished experts across robots, ethics, design, and human-robot interaction, the panel will examine how robots have transitioned from industrial tools to everyday companions and collaborators. Discussions will cover societal acceptance, technological breakthroughs, ethical implications, and what it truly means to co-live with robots in our homes, workplaces, and communities.
Join us for an inspiring event of diaglogues and reflectiosn as we envision a world where robots are not just among us – but with us.
Distinguished panelists will be announced soon. Please note that conference registration with a banquet ticket is required to attend this event.
Date/time: July 1st, 6PM | Location: Grand Ballroom at Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center
Session Codes: The first two letters indicates the day of the session, i.e., “Tu” for Tuesday and “We” for Wednesday. The next letter indicates the session time (A for morning session and B & C are two in the afternoon), followed by “T1” or “T2” indicating two parallel sessions. For example, Session: TuBT1 is the Tuesday first afternoon session in Room T1.
Each technical session consists of 5-7 oral presentations organized by topic.
All posters including both Work-In-Progress (WIP) and Late Breaking Results (LBR) Abstracts will be presented in two interactive poster sessions from 12:00 to 1:00pm on both conference days. All presenters are strongly encouraged to present during that time, but if you can attend only on one of the sessions, please keep your poster on during the entire conference period.
On July 3 (Thursday), we are offering a Texas A&M Facility Tour exclusively for registered participants. To reserve your spot, please complete the online sign-up form. Space is limited to 40 seats and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
We are excited to present four workshops covering highly timely topics in robotics. Please click on the images above for detailed information about each workshop program.
Please note that registration for workshops is required for all workshop attendees. Conference (regular or student) registration does not include access to workshops. Please update your existing registration by adding the workshop options or register for the “Workshop-Only” option.
The conference will be held at Texas A&M Hotel and Conference Center located on the beautiful and historic Texas A&M campuse. Housed in a striking glass tower across from Kyle Field and near the Memorial Student Center. It is within walking distance or has bus route to major campus locations. Please use the link below to book your room at a special conference rate. Please book your room by June 12, 2025.
NEARBY AIRPORTS:
Easterwood Airport (CLL): Located just 10 minutes by car from the conference venue, Easterwood Airport offers daily nonstop flights by American Airlines to and from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). If you are traveling from overseas or out of state, you can book a connecting flight to CLL through DFW.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH): Located approximately 1 hour 20 minutes by car from the conference venue, IAH is the nearest major international airport to College Station and offers a wide range of domestic and international flights. Suttle service is available for around $55, providing direct pick up at the arrival terminal and drop-off at your hotel. For reservations, please visit Ground Shuttle.
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS): Located approximately 1 hour 50 minutes by car from the conference venue, AUS offers extensive domestic and international flight options. While there is no direct shuttle service to College Station, rental or rideshare options (e.g., Uber, Lyft) provide conveninent and flexible transportation.
Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW): Located approximately 2.5 hours by car from the conference venue, DFW is one of the largest airports in the United States. There are several direct flights from South Korea (by Korean Airline, Asiana, American Airlines). Rental cars are available at the airport for direct travel to College Station. Alternatively, conencting flights to CLL are available.
VISA / TRAVEL SUPPORT:
If you are a speaker or an invited participant who need an invitation letter for your VISA application, please contact the conference secretary via email. The email address is provided at the bottom of this page under the KROS logo.
At least one author of a paper must register by April 30, in order for the paper to be included in the conference program and the UR 2025 Proceedings.
REGULAR registration includes access to all technical sessions, exhibitions, conference banquet on 7/1, breakfast, coffee breaks and lunch on both 7/1 and 7/2, and the electronic copy of the proceedings.
A banquet ticket is included in the REGULAR registration only, but the tickets can be purchased at $150/person.
All workshop attendees are expected to register for the conference, adding the “Plus Workshop” option. Those who wish to attend the workshop only, please select “Workshop-Only” registration option. (*Worship registration fees remain the same even after the early-bird registration due date.)
Member registration fees are applicable to regular and student members of The Korea Robotics Society (KROS), IEEE, the Robotics Society of Japan (RSJ), and the Chinese Institute of Measurement Technology in Mechanical Engineering (CIMTME).
Registration is required for all accepted papers to be included in the conference program and the UR 2025 Proceedings. An author with REGULAR registration may present more than one paper at an additional fee of $250 per paper. An author with STUDENT registration can present only one paper.
Regular papers are limited to six (6) pages without page charge, and up to eight (8) pages with page charge; each page beyond six pages will be charged $150 (USD) per page.
A STUDENT registration option requires a full-time student status at a degree-granting program at a university.
Unparalleled Brand Exposure: Your brand will be prominently features in conference materials and on our website. You will be connected to a diverse and engaged audience of over 200 attendees.
Networking Opportuities: You will gain exclusive access to top-tier researchers, industry leaders, and potential clients. The conference will host a networking event inviting all sponsors and curated attendees for direct networking and interaction.
Customizable Sponsorship Packages: We offer a range of sponsorship options and are happy to work with you to create a pacakge that aligns with your marketing objectives and budget.
If you are interested in participating in UR 2025 as a sponsor, please fill out the online application form by April 30, 2025. All sponshorhip fees are non-refundable and must be paid in full by May 15, 2025.
Oral presentations: All accepted REGULAR papers will be presented in one of two parallel technical sessions either on 7/1 or 7/2. Each presenter will be assigned to a 15-minute slot for 12-minute presentation followed by 2-minute Q&A and 1-minute for transition. All presenters must bring their own computer with USB-C or HDMI ports to connect to the projector in the room. Please plan to arrive 10 minutes before your session begins to check your presentation and display settings.
Posters: All accepted Work-In-Progress (WIP) and Late-Breaking-Results (LBR) abstracts will be presented in interactive poster sessions. The posters will be mounted on 46-inch (117cm) tall, 70-inch (178cm) wide boards, and presenters may utilize this area at their discretion to prepare the poster. All posters must be mounted at a designated area with the abstract number by 8:30AM on July 1st.
Authors of the accepted paper must submit their final manuscript in a PDF file through PaperPlaza no later than May 5, 2025. Authors can update the manuscript, including the paper title, author list, number of pages, abstract, references, etc. The final manuscript needs to include reviewers’ comments and meet the standard IEEE double-column format required for publications of the conference proceedings and the IEEE Xplore Digital Library. Please note that only accepted regular papers will be published in the UR 2024 IEEE Xplore.
At least one of the authors must register by May 5, 2025, for inclusion in the technical program and the proceedings. Click here for registration.
The length of a regular paper is limited to 6 pages in A4 or letter size, including text, figures, tables, acknowledgements, references, etc. Up to 8 pages are permitted for upload, and you are requested to pay an additional page charge of $150 per page.
As for the regular papers, please follow the instructions below for the IEEE Xplore Digital Library in the process of final manuscript submission.
1. All final papers must be in IEEE Xplore® compatible PDFs and validated on PaperPlaza for publication in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library. Please refer to IEEE PDF eXpress details, here.
2. To process the copyright transfer for a regular paper, follow the “Copyright Transfer” link, and you will be taken to the IEEE copyright transfer site (IEEE eCP) in a new window. Follow the steps as described on the IEEE eCP pages and ensure that the paper title and author list are correct before you perform the copyright transfer.
Important Dates
February 14, 2025-> March 8, 2025 (11:59PM in US Pacific Time)
Regular Papers & Work-In-Progress (WIP) Extended Abstracts Due (extended)
March 28, 2025 -> April 11, 2025
Workshop & Tutorial Proposals Due Submission instruction: Please use the workshop/tutorial proposal template and send the completed proposal in PDF to ur@kros.org. with the subject line, stating “UR 2025 Workshop (or Tutorial) Proposal.”
April 4, 2025 -> April 18, 2025
Acceptance Notification for regular & WIP papers/proposals
April 11, 2025 -> April 28, 2025
Late Breaking Results Extended Abstract Due
April 30, 2025 -> May 5, 2025
Final Manuscripts Due for All Accepted Papers and Extended Abstracts
April 30, 2025 -> May 5, 2025
Early Bird Registration Due
Instructions on Paper Preparation
All papers must be written in English and submitted electronically via ras.papercept.net in one of the following two submission categories. All papers and abstracts will be reviewed in a single-blind format.
Regular Papers (4-8 pages): Prospective authors are invited to submit high-quality papers for oral presentation, and the accepted papers will be included in Ubiquitous Robots IEEE Xplore Conference Proceedings subject to meeting IEEE Xplore’s scope and quality requirements. Papers over 6 pages will be subject to an extra page charge ($150/page) for up to two additional pages permitted.
Work-in-Progress Extended Abstracts (2-4 pages): The conference seeks contributions from a broad set of on-going works for poster presentation with active interaction possible at the conference. Accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings for distribution to the conference participants. However, work-in-progress papers will not be uploaded to the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and the authors retain the copyright.
Late-Breaking Results Extended Abstracts (2-4 pages): The conference seeks contributions from late-breaking results for poster presentation with active interaction possible at the conference. Accepted papers will be included in the conference proceedings for distribution to the conference participants. However, work-in-progress papers will not be uploaded to the IEEE Xplore Digital Library, and the authors retain the copyright.
Paper Templates and Online Submission: Authors should prepare their papers based on template provided by IEEE (LaTex template or Microsoft Word template). All papers must be written in English and submitted electronically in A4 or US Letter PDF format.
