The commercial robotics sector operates on a rhythm that is as much about calendar milestones as it is about technological breakthroughs. For developers, integrators, and suppliers, the annual cycle of conferences, summits, and expos serves as a critical coordination mechanism—a time to align roadmaps, gauge competitive positioning, and surface new talent. Within this ecosystem, RoboBusiness has carved out a distinct role as a gathering point for those building and supplying commercial robots, distinct from academic symposia or purely consumer-facing showcases.
The source material under review concerns the transition between two editions of this event. Specifically, the call for speakers for RoboBusiness 2025 concluded on June 12, 2025. That deadline has passed, and the organisers have already pivoted to the next cycle. RoboBusiness 2026 is scheduled for October 19 and 21 in Santa Clara, California, and its call for speakers has opened. This forward-looking move is typical of large trade events, where programming decisions require substantial lead time to secure high-quality presenters, coordinate panels, and ensure that the agenda reflects the most pressing industry topics.
The 2025 edition of RoboBusiness featured a notable introduction: Steve Crowe, who chairs the event, launched a "State of Robotics" panel. Crowe serves as Executive Editor, Robotics, at WTWH Media, the organisation that produces both *The Robot Report* and RoboBusiness, as well as the Robotics Summit & Expo. His role as chair places him at the centre of content curation for these events, and the "State of Robotics" panel appears to be a new addition aimed at taking stock of the sector's trajectory.
For European operators—whether they are component suppliers, software developers, or system integrators—the scheduling and thematic structure of US-based events like RoboBusiness carry strategic significance. The event's location in Santa Clara places it in the heart of Silicon Valley, a region dense with venture capital, technology talent, and potential customers. While the source material does not provide specific data on European attendance or participation rates, the general pattern of such events suggests that transatlantic engagement is a recurring consideration for firms looking to expand their market reach or benchmark their technology against global peers.
It is important to note what the source material does not disclose. There is no information about registration fees, expected attendee numbers, or the specific selection criteria for speaker proposals. The source also does not mention whether there will be any virtual participation options or hybrid elements. These details remain unspecified, and any analysis must acknowledge these gaps rather than fill them with assumptions.
Key findings
The source material yields several concrete findings, each of which can be examined for its implications.
First, the call for speakers for RoboBusiness 2025 ended on June 12, 2025. This is a straightforward fact, but it carries a signal about the event's planning horizon. The fact that the 2026 call has already opened—before the 2025 event has even taken place—indicates a desire to lock in speakers well in advance. This is not unusual for large conferences, but it does mean that potential presenters must think in terms of a 16-month lead time from the opening of the call to the actual event dates.
Second, RoboBusiness 2026 is scheduled for October 19 and 21 in Santa Clara, California. The two-day structure, with a gap on October 20, is notable. The source material does not explain this gap, but it is plausible that the middle day is reserved for co-located events, workshops, or other programming. However, since the source does not state this, it remains an open question. The co-location with DeviceTalks West, described as the premier industry event for medical technology professionals, is explicitly mentioned. This pairing suggests a deliberate effort to bridge the robotics and medical device communities, which is particularly relevant given the inclusion of a surgical robotics track.
Third, the event will feature tracks on physical AI, field robotics, and development. The physical AI track is described as exploring approaches and technologies that help robots learn from sensor data, adapt to dynamic situations, and learn to perform new tasks in less time. This is a clear nod to the growing importance of machine learning and adaptive systems in robotics. The field robotics track will share best practices for designing, developing, and deploying robots for outdoor applications in agriculture, construction, and more. This is a significant area of growth, as outdoor environments present unique challenges related to weather, terrain, and connectivity. The development track focuses on making robots more robust, covering CAD/CAM, simulation, programming, engineering methodologies, manufacturability, and related topics. This track is aimed at the practical engineering concerns that determine whether a robot can move from prototype to production.
Fourth, RoboBusiness is seeking investors and emerging startups to compete in the annual Pitchfire Robotics Startup Competition. This is a recurring feature of the event, designed to connect early-stage companies with potential funders. The source material does not provide details on the competition's format, prize amounts, or past winners, so those elements remain undisclosed.
Fifth, the source material includes an exclusive interview with Iman Jeddi, Ph.D., senior vice president and general manager of Intuitive's multiport platform. The interview, conducted at RoboBusiness 2025, offers a look inside the redesign and launch of the da Vinci 5, Intuitive's next-generation surgical robotics system. Jeddi's role encompasses product development, process engineering, product management, business and clinical strategy, multi-year product-development roadmaps, manufacturability, cost, and business-unit profit and loss. This is a high-level perspective on one of the most significant surgical robotics platforms in the market. The inclusion of this interview underscores the event's focus on surgical robotics, which will have its own track.
Sixth, the source material also references the Robotics Summit & Expo, a separate but related event produced by the same organisation. The 2026 Robotics Summit has opened its call for speakers, with tracks on design, development, and manufacturability, as well as artificial intelligence. The AI track covers machine learning, generative AI, foundation models, and other AI technologies as they impact commercial robotics development. Early bird registration for the 2026 Robotics Summit ends March 2, and the event will feature more than 50 sessions across tracks on artificial intelligence, design and development, enabling technologies, healthcare, and logistics. The expo hall will have more than 250 exhibitors. The source material names several speakers for the 2026 Robotics Summit, including Mike Oitzman, Senior Editor at *The Robot Report*; Pras Velagapudi, Chief Technology Officer at Agility Robotics; Aaron Prather, Director of Robotics & Autonomous Systems Programs at ASTM International; and Alberto Rodriguez, Director of Robot Behavior for Atlas at Boston Dynamics. Noland Arbaugh is also mentioned as a speaker, alongside Steve Crowe.
Seventh, the source material notes that the 2025 Robotics Summit was co-located with more events, though the specifics are not enumerated. This suggests a trend toward clustering related conferences to maximise attendance and cross-pollination.
What it means for European operators
For European robotics companies, the information in this source material offers several strategic takeaways, even though the source does not directly address European participation.
The emphasis on physical AI is a global trend, but it has particular resonance for European firms that have historically excelled in industrial automation and precision engineering. The ability to learn from sensor data and adapt to dynamic situations is increasingly seen as a differentiator in sectors like manufacturing, logistics, and agriculture. European operators that are investing in these capabilities may find that the RoboBusiness track provides a useful benchmark for where the field is heading. However, the source material does not specify whether there will be any European speakers or case studies, so it is not possible to assess the extent of European representation.
The field robotics track, with its focus on agriculture and construction, aligns with several European policy priorities, including the Common Agricultural Policy's modernisation efforts and the construction sector's push toward digitalisation. European companies developing outdoor robots face distinct challenges related to operating in varied climates and regulatory environments across the EU. The best practices shared at RoboBusiness may be relevant, but European operators will need to adapt them to local conditions. The source material does not provide any information on whether the sessions will address European-specific regulations, such as the EU Machinery Regulation or data protection requirements, so this remains an open question.
The development track, covering CAD/CAM, simulation, and manufacturability, speaks to a core challenge for European robotics firms: scaling from prototype to production. Many European companies are strong on innovation but face difficulties in achieving cost-effective manufacturing at scale, particularly when competing with lower-cost production hubs. The methodologies discussed at RoboBusiness could offer insights, but the source material does not provide any specific case studies or data points that would allow for a deeper assessment.
The Pitchfire Robotics Startup Competition is another element that European operators may want to monitor. The source material does not disclose whether the competition is open to international startups or restricted to US-based companies. If it is open to European entrants, it could represent a valuable opportunity for early-stage firms to gain visibility among US investors. However, without explicit information, this remains speculative.
The co-location with DeviceTalks West is particularly relevant for European companies in the medical robotics space. The European medical device sector is highly regulated, with the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) imposing stringent requirements. The surgical robotics track at RoboBusiness, combined with the medical technology focus of DeviceTalks West, could provide a platform for European firms to explore partnerships or market entry strategies. The interview with Iman Jeddi on the da Vinci 5 redesign offers a rare glimpse into how a major player approaches product development, manufacturability, and cost management—all areas that European medical robotics firms must also navigate. However, the source material does not provide any details on the content of the surgical robotics track beyond the interview, so the full scope of that programming is not known.
The Robotics Summit & Expo, while a separate event, is produced by the same organisation and shares some of the same leadership. The 2026 Summit's focus on AI, design, and manufacturability, along with its 250+ exhibitors, suggests a comprehensive technical programme. European engineers and engineering managers may find value in attending, but the source material does not provide any information on travel logistics, visa requirements, or whether there will be any European-focused sessions.
One notable absence in the source material is any mention of European robotics associations, such as euRobotics or the German Robotics Association, or any European companies among the named speakers. This does not necessarily mean that European representation is lacking—the source material only lists a few speakers for the Summit and does not provide a full agenda for either event—but it does mean that no claims can be made about European participation based on this source alone.
Another consideration is the timing. RoboBusiness 2026 is scheduled for October 19 and 21. For European operators, this falls in the autumn, a period that is often busy with trade fairs and industry events across the EU, such as automatica in Munich or SPS in Nuremberg, though those are not mentioned in the source material. The potential for scheduling conflicts is a practical concern, but the source does not address this.
The source material also does not disclose any information about the cost of attending RoboBusiness, whether for speakers or delegates. Registration fees, travel budgets, and accommodation costs are all undisclosed. European operators will need to weigh these factors against the potential benefits of attending, but the source provides no data to inform that calculation.
Finally, the fact that the call for speakers for RoboBusiness 2026 has already opened, well before the 2025 event has taken place, suggests that the organisers are confident in the event's continuity and are seeking to secure high-quality content early. For European operators who might be considering submitting a proposal, the window is open, but the source does not provide a deadline for the 2026 call. It is reasonable to assume that there will be a closing date, but it is not stated in the source material.
In summary, the source material provides a clear picture of the logistical and thematic structure of RoboBusiness 2026, along with some details about the related Robotics Summit & Expo. For European operators, the key takeaways are the event's focus on physical AI, field robotics, and development; the co-location with DeviceTalks West; and the opportunity to participate in the Pitchfire competition. However, many practical details—costs, deadlines, international participation rules, and the full agenda—are not disclosed in the source, and any strategic planning must account for these gaps.
Sources
Published by Vigla Media OÜ (Estonia).