2026 Toronto Robotics Conference

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2026 TORONTO ROBOTICS CONFERENCE

21-22 July 2026
University of Toronto Mississauga
Maanjiwe nendamowinan, 1535 Outer Circle, Mississauga

THIS EVENT IS SOLD OUT. REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.

Powering connections across the GTA's AI-robotics research ecosystem

SPONSORS

Join the University of Toronto's expert network for a two-day, multi-track showcase of the latest AI-robotics research across the GTA

WHAT TO EXPECT

Robotics Conference 2025-123
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Hear from leading AI-robotics experts

Gain insight from the researchers leading breakthroughs in robotics — from autonomous driving and surgical robots to mobile manipulation, soft robotics and computer vision.

Experience demos of the latest tech

Explore indoor and outdoor demos of AI-robotics research from labs and student teams across the university.

Discover the next big idea

Students and postdocs will pitch innovative, concept-stage robotics ideas in the Two Small Fish Pitch Competition.

Network with experts, trainees and partners

Connect with U of T's robotics research and talent network to learn about partnerships opportunities or recruit talent.

TWO SMALL FISH PITCH COMPETITION

In just three minutes, students and postdocs will pitch their vision for a robotics start-up. Participants will present solutions to challenges across sectors — from healthcare and search and rescue, to autonomous vehicles, and more.

Participants and event details to be announced soon!

Judges

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Rahul Udasi_headshot

Abdel Ali

CEO & Founder

Kiwi Charge

Albert Chen

Partner

Two Small Fish

Ria Khan

CEO

NephroTech

Rahul Udasi

CTO

Trexo Robotics

Pitch competition sponsors

KEYNOTE SPEAKERS

Tuesday, July 21

Wednesday, July 22

Wednesday, July 22

KEYNOTE

Enabling Advancements in Medical Care Through the Design of Soft Robots and Haptic Interfaces

Tania Morimoto

Tania Morimoto

Associate Professor

Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Department of Surgery

KEYNOTE

Bridging the Interaction Gap in Embodied Search: Low-Level Control in Large-Scale Procedural Worlds

Bucher

Bernadette Bucher

Assistant Professor

Robotics Department

Computer Science and Engineering Department

KEYNOTE

Physical AI, Simulations and Safety

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Chris Pal

Professor

Canada CIFAR AI Chair

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PANEL

Tuesday, July 21

Are robotaxis really safer than humans? First steps to a post-driving world

After 20 years of development and over $200 billion USD in investment, robotaxis are starting to gain traction in multiple markets, with thousands of successful trips per week and passengers often preferring the quiet convenience and smooth ride of a self-driving car. Industry leaders Waymo have reported impressive safety numbers, showing large reductions in both property damage and injuries over 70 million miles driven.

In this panel, we'll dive into the details of these claims, investigate when self-driving vehicles will come to Toronto, and discuss broader implications on our society now that the long-standing dream of autonomous vehicles is becoming reality.

MODERATOR

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PANELIST

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Mona Eghanian 

Assistant Vice-President, Ontario Centre of Innovation (OCI)

Deputy Head, Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN)

PANELIST

Matt Fisch 2023 (3)

Matt Fisch

CEO, AEye

PANELIST

Signature: OJ/dXuTUTA2M6RMdrUaDdBwkqNogzJCJgNoAzE3LCWfz3WL9XsNldFH6q1pOpu4XOTzrtyTibjTN5VcBaFHNYnTEI59RBm+j1B1upeW0BGmC+amW26rmeX0P5yKvIMoWQAfaI48oUpUBah28fhuBVxk+hAxYH5405cY6Vo/sUeaMCgs8DQYUrWbmusncomvNpDlAEuGMy7Sh+WlV5OIQVM8qpWGpTI9MinW3XsP6cNBinLz1XhPJfzsQjFtjQF5f

Andrew Miller

Author, The End of Driving

Author, Changing Lanes

PANELIST

K Thomasen - Headshot

Kristen Thomasen

Associate Professor, Senior Chair in Law, Robotics, and Society

University of Windsor Faculty of Law

INDUSTRY MINI-TALKS

Wednesday, July 22

INDUSTRY MINI-TALK

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Andreas Dellantonio

Vice President of Engineering, AEye

SPONSORED BY:

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INDUSTRY MINI-TALK

Professional photo Daylight

Yasaman Soudagar

Co-founder & CEO, Exhilarare

SPONSORED BY:

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INDUSTRY MINI-TALK

bidhan-headshot-1x1

Bidhan Roy

Founder & CEO, Bagel Labs

SPONSORED BY:

INDUSTRY EXHIBITORS

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, July 21

Time and LocationActivitySpeakers
8 a.m.

Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)
Coach buses leave from St. George Campus
9 a.m.Registration

Coffee, tea, light refreshments
9:30 a.m.Welcome RemarksLueder Kahrs, Conference Co-Chair

Principal Alexandra Gillespie, Vice-President and Principal, University of Toronto Mississauga (UTM)
9:35 a.m.


Keynote

Tania Morimoto

Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Department of Surgery, UC San Diego
10:30 a.m.Break
11 a.m.
Panel: Are robotaxis really safer than humans? First steps to a post-driving worldPanelists:
Mona Eghanian
Matt Fisch
Andrew Miller
Kristen Thomasen

Moderator: Steven Waslander
12 p.m.
Lunch Break
1 p.m.
PARALLEL SESSION: Research TalksSession 1: Single-Track Faculty Talks

Topics: mobility, continuum, manipulation

1 p.m.PARALLEL SESSION: Two Small Fish Pitch CompetitionOpening Remarks: Albert Chen, Partner, Two Small Fish
2 p.m.PARALLEL SESSION: Research TalksSession 2: Multi-Track Student and Postdoc Talks

Topics: aerial, bio-inspired, continuum
2 p.m.PARALLEL SESSION: Research TalksSession 3: Multi-Track Student and Postdoc Talks

Topics: medical, surgical, neuro
3:15 p.m.
Break
3:45 p.m.PARALLEL SESSION: Research TalksSession 4: Multi-Track Student and Postdoc Talks

Topics: mobility, multi-robot coordination, navigation, human-robot interaction
3:45 p.m.

PARALLEL SESSION: Research TalksSession 5: Multi-Track Student and Postdoc Talks

Topics: aerial manipulation, aerial
5:15 p.m.

The Blind Duck
Networking Social and Two Small Fish Pitch Competition Awards
5:30 p.m.

MN north entrance (2nd floor)
First coach bus leaves UTM campus
7:00 p.m.

MN north entrance (2nd floor)
Second coach bus leaves UTM campus

Wednesday, July 22

Time and LocationActivitySpeakers
8 a.m.

Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)
Coach buses leave from St. George Campus
9 a.m.Registration

Coffee, tea, light refreshments
9:30 a.m.Welcome RemarksSteven Waslander, Conference Co-Chair; Director, Robotics Institute

Minister Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security

Chris Yip, Dean, U of T Engineering
9:35 a.m.


Keynote

Bernadette Bucher

Assistant Professor, Robotics Department, Computer Science and Engineering Department, University of Michigan
10:30 a.m.Break
11 a.m.
Industry Mini-talksAndreas Dellantonio, VP Engineering, AEye

Yasaman Soudagar, Co-founder & CEO, Exhilarare

Bidhan Roy, Founder & CEO, Bagel Labs
12 p.m.
Lunch Break

Lab Demos

Poster Session
1:30 p.m.
KeynoteChris Pal

Professor, Canada CIFAR AI Chair, Polytechnique Montréal
2:30 p.m.Break
3 p.m.
Research TalksSession 6: Single-Track Faculty Talks

Topics: mobility, bio-inspired
4 p.m.

PARALLEL SESSION: Research TalksSession 7: Multi-Track Student and Postdoc Talks

Topics: localization, vision, human-robot interaction
4 p.m.

PARALLEL SESSION: Research TalksSession 8: Multi-Track Student and Postdoc Talks

Topics: bio-inspired, material, surgical
5:15 p.m.

Closing Remarks and Poster Session Winners AnnouncementLueder Kahrs, Conference Co-Chair

Steven Waslander, Conference Co-Chair, Director, Robotics Institute
5:30 p.m.

MN north entrance (2nd floor)
First coach bus leaves UTM campus
5:30 p.m.

MN north entrance (2nd floor)
Second coach bus leaves UTM campus

GETTING TO UTM

Coach Bus Schedule

Reminder for attendees: Since this is a sold-out event, coach bus seating will be first-come, first-serve.

See map for coach bus pick-up location

DateCoach BusPick-up LocationDeparture TimeDrop-off Location
July 21Morning BusTop of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)8 a.m.Maanjiwe nendamowinan (MN) North Entrance (2nd floor)
July 21Morning Bus 2Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)8 a.m.MN North Entrance (2nd floor)
July 21Evening Bus 1MN North Entrance (2nd floor)5:30 p.m.Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)
July 21Evening Bus 2MN North Entrance (2nd floor)7 p.m.Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)
July 22Morning Bus 1Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)8 a.m.MN North Entrance (2nd floor)
July 22Morning Bus 2Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)8 a.m.MN North Entrance (2nd floor)
July 22Evening Bus 1MN North Entrance (2nd floor)5:30 p.m.Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)
July 22Evening Bus 2MN North Entrance (2nd floor)5:30 p.m.Top of King's College Road (near Convocation Hall)

Map to King's College Road

Parking at UTM

If you plan on driving to the conference, we recommend parking in Lots P9 or P8, as they are closest to the conference venue, Maanjiwe nendamowinan (MN). We will have signs directing you from the parking lots to MN. Please note these are paid parking lots.

Lot P9 address: 1650 Outer Cir, Mississauga, ON L5L 3E2

See parking and conference map

Other ways of getting to UTM

If you plan to take transit to the conference, you can find more information on other modes of transportation on the UTM Transportation page.

Map to Maanjiwe nendamowinan (MN)

Contact us

For questions about the conference, please contact robotics@utoronto.ca.

Whether you would like to connect with top Robotics Institute graduate students, showcase your latest technology, demonstrate your thought leadership or promote your brand, there's a sponsorship package for you. Sponsorship can include:

Robotics Conference 2025-220

SPEAKING OPPORTUNITIES

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EXHIBIT SPACE

Robotics Conference 2025-6

BRAND RECOGNITION

Are you a micro-, small-, or mid-sized Canadian robotics start-up? Ask us about our SME and custom sponsorship packages

ORGANIZERS

PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS - Professor Lueder Kahrs, Professor Steven Waslander

COMMUNICATIONS - Amanda Hacio

PARTNERSHIPS - Tongjia Zheng

OPERATIONS - Tongjia Zheng, Jessica K. Bailey, Amanda Hacio

CONTACT