ICSR 2026 Grand Challenge
The world of robotics is evolving faster than ever! From intelligent behaviours to expressive designs, robots are becoming true embodied agents capable of supporting humans across diverse environments and applications.
As we enter this new era, it’s time to create robots that go beyond the lab, robots that collaborate, care, and connect with people in meaningful ways. Designing these agents to foster long-term engagement and cooperation is more important than ever. Therefore, it is essential to develop solutions that are acceptable, fashionable, reliable, and easy to use.
Submit your entry to the ICSR Grand challenge, organised by ICSR+ART 2026, and showcase your vision for the next generation of social robots. We encourage participants to contribute with projects that push the boundaries of innovation and creativity. Whether through functional solutions, artistic expression, or hybrid forms, this competition invites visions of social robots that collaborate, communicate, perform, and connect.
The ICSR 2026 Grand Challenge welcomes designers, engineers, artists, researchers, and students (university, college, and high school) to propose ideas and prototypes that reflect the next generation of social robots.
This year’s ICSR Grand Challenge features two exciting categories:
- Robot Design Challenge
Show off your innovative robot designs, prototypes and breakthrough ideas in functionality, interaction, and application. - Robot Art Challenge
Explore the creative fusion of arts and robotics, and express how social robots can inspire, perform, and engage in human culture.
Submission Guideline:
Each submission should have a (maximum) 2-page summary document. The submission can follow the Springer LNAI formatting instructions. Participants are also welcome to pick their own format as long as it is 2 pages. Submissions document should include a concise abstract/synopsis of a maximum of 50 words, and enough details to judge the technical novelty and/or creativity of the submission.
A single link of related video can be included. Video link is optional, and the maximum duration of the video should be 3 minutes. Images or renderings of your work is encouraged in your submission. Keep in mind it is not a scientific publication, but the description of a creative robotics innovation with potential to be developed as a project.
Participants must indicate in their submission whether they are applying for:
- the Design Award,
- the Art Award,
- or both (for hybrid projects integrating innovation and artistic expression).
Submission should be done using the link provided on the website below.
Evaluation:
Submissions will be reviewed by the competition chairs and expert jurors. Finalists will be invited to present their work during a dedicated session at ICSR 2026.
The People’s Choice Award will be determined by public voting during the conference.
Each finalist is supposed to register and present their entry at a dedicated competition session at the conference, which will be further evaluated by the jury of peers.
Benefits to the finalists:
- Dedicated slot to present during the final round in the conference.
- A unique opportunity to exhibit the entry during the conference as a video, demo or exhibition.
- Visibility to international researchers, designers, and industry partners.
- Certificates for awardees and finalists
- Additional prizes (to be announced when sponsorship is confirmed)
Awards:
- Design Award – Best Innovation: For concepts, prototypes, or systems demonstrating outstanding innovation, technical quality, and interaction design.
- Art Award – Best Creativity: For artistic works, performances, fashion–robotics integrations, or expressive concepts that highlight creativity, aesthetics, and cultural engagement.
- People’s Choice Award: A public-voting award selected during the ICSR 2026 conference.
Important Dates:
- Grand Challenge Submission Deadline: 15 March 2026
- Grand Challenge Finalists Notification: 15 April 2026
- Grand Challenge Winners Notification: 3 July 2026 (During the closing ceremony of the conference)
ICSR 2026 Grand Challenge Submission:
Please submit your competition entry via ICSR 2026 Grand Challenge Submission form:
https://icsr2026.uk/competition-submission
Grand Challenge finalists: