Robots you can touch. Robotics for Everyone.
This was the motto of the Festival of Robots, which took place at Karlsplatz on May 30 and 31. Around 15,000 visitors seized the opportunity to experience the latest robotics technologies firsthand and engage directly with cutting-edge innovations.
AIT Showcases Hands-On Innovation
With its diverse program, the Festival of Robots succeeded in making complex technologies understandable, accessible, and interactive. AIT made a significant contribution by presenting current research and innovative solutions to a broad audience, bringing the future of robotics to life for visitors of all ages.
You can find the full program here: Festival der Roboter 2026
Live Demonstration of an Autonomous Timber Loading Crane
A particular highlight of the festival was the live demonstration of the autonomous timber-loading crane. The innovative solution was developed by the AIT Austrian Institute of Technology in collaboration with project partners TU Wien and Palfinger, and was presented by the AIT Center for Vision, Automation & Control. The demonstration showcased the potential of autonomous work machines and illustrated how state-of-the-art technologies can support complex work processes more efficiently, safely, and sustainably in the future.
Making Robotics Accessible to Everyone
Under the theme “Strong Helpers for Industry,” AIT’s exhibition tent provided insights into autonomous machines, robotics applications, and intelligent assistance systems. Researchers from the Center for Vision, Automation & Control invited visitors to explore current developments, try out technologies themselves, and engage directly with the experts behind them. (Stand construcion: kreativtechnik)
A wide range of applications for forestry and agriculture, construction, logistics, and manufacturing industries were showcased. The focus was on how these technologies can support businesses, reduce the workload on employees, and make processes safer, more efficient, and more sustainable.
Research in Dialogue with the Public
In addition to the technical demonstrations, the festival also provided a platform for discussions about innovation and research. As part of a panel discussion on “Innovation Made in Austria,” Andreas Kugi, Scientific Director AIT, discussed the importance of technological excellence and Austria’s role as a hub for innovation.
Furthermore, Sarah Schneider from the AIT Center for Vision, Automation & Control shared personal insights into her professional journey during the “Role Model Talks.” She highlighted the diverse career opportunities available in research and development within the technology sector.
The automation of work machines, such as cranes and forklift trucks, is a strategic research goal of the AIT Center for Vision, Automation & Control (VAC). In the future, these machines will take over repetitive and dangerous tasks. The aim is twofold: firstly, to relieve the burden on employees and enhance their role, as they will be responsible for planning and monitoring in the future, and secondly, to counteract the shortage of skilled workers.
To enable automation, many complex issues need to be investigated, ranging from environment recognition and interpretation to machine control and human-machine interaction.
For validation and testing purposes, the AIT has set up its own open-air test site for autonomous machines in Seibersdorf the Large-Scale Robotics Lab (LSRL).
Real-time motion planning for a hydraulically actuated forestry crane: an endpoint-consistent flow matching planner generates dynamically feasible trajectories in under 15 ms, tracked in closed loop by an MPC controller — shown across three real-world crane motions with varying duration and workspace coverage.
Complex Dynamical Systems
Assistive & AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS
