Software architectures & middleware
Design, integration and deployment of intelligent Human-Robot Interaction systems.
I-RIM 2026 Workshop HRI
I-RIM 2026 Workshop HRI · 23 October 2026 · Rome, Italy
Towards Next-Generation
Human-Robot Interaction
From Development to Real-World Deployment
A focused workshop on intelligent HRI systems, ROS 2, multimodal interaction, generative AI, software architectures, and the path from research prototypes to deployable robotic applications.
23 Oct 2026Workshop day
90 minIn-person workshop
2 pagesRecommended abstract length
Gazometro OstienseRome, Italy
About the workshop
Bridging intelligent robotics research and real-world deployment
Human-Robot Interaction is becoming a defining challenge for the next generation of intelligent robotic systems. As robots move into healthcare, rehabilitation, public spaces, homes and collaborative workplaces, they must interact naturally, safely and effectively with people.
This workshop places HRI at its core while focusing on the software infrastructures that enable the transition from research prototypes to real-world robotic applications. Particular attention is given to modular, reproducible and maintainable architectures, with ROS 2 as an enabling middleware for interoperability across platforms and application domains.
The workshop also highlights experiences from national and European collaborative research projects, including Horizon Europe initiatives, where shared software frameworks and open-source practices can accelerate technology transfer and collaboration.
Topics
Research themes
ROS 2 for intelligent robotics
Interoperability, modularity, maintainability and reproducibility across robotic platforms.
Multimodal interaction
Vision, speech, language, gesture, haptics, multimodal sensing and human intention recognition.
AI for HRI
Generative AI, foundation models, embodied AI, cognitive reasoning and adaptive robot behavior.
Planning & decision making
Cognitive architectures for interactive, collaborative and autonomous robotic systems.
Human-centred applications
Healthcare, rehabilitation, assistive robotics, service robotics and collaborative industry.
Open-source & reproducibility
Software ecosystems, benchmarking, interoperability and best practices for robotics engineering.
From lab to deployment
Technology transfer, collaborative projects and scalable, trustworthy real-world HRI systems.
Call for Extended Abstracts
Share work in progress with the HRI community
We invite extended abstracts from early-career researchers and project teams. Contributions relevant to the workshop will be presented in a short spotlight session. Accepted I-RIM extended abstracts are included in the digital conference proceedings according to the conference guidelines.
The button below goes to the official I-RIM 3D 2026 EasyChair submission system. The conference's Extended Abstract call currently lists 4 October 2026 as the submission deadline; always verify the official I-RIM page before submitting.
Program
Proposed agenda
10 min
Welcome and Introduction
Motivation, workshop objectives and an overview of current challenges in next-generation HRI.
F. Scotto di Luzio (UCBM) · M. Rosa (PAL Robotics)15 min
Invited Talk 1
Recent advances in Human-Robot Interaction and real-world robotic systems.
Francesco D'Orazio · PAL Robotics15 min
Invited Talk 2
Research and deployment perspectives for interactive robotic systems.
George Moustris · Institute of Robotics, Athena Research Center15 min
Invited Talk 3
Additional invited contribution.
Speaker to be announced20 min
Extended Abstract Spotlight Session
Short presentations of selected contributions.
2–3 minutes each15 min
Panel Discussion & Open Forum
From Research Prototypes to Deployable HRI Systems: Challenges, Opportunities, and Future Directions.
Invited speakers
Speakers
FD
Francesco D'Orazio
PAL Robotics · Rome, Italy
Academic profile Invited Talk 1
George Moustris
Institute of Robotics, Athena Research Center
Institutional profile Invited Talk 2?
To be announced
Invited Speaker
Invited Talk 3A verified institutional headshot for Francesco D'Orazio was not available from a stable public source during this site build. Replace the placeholder with a speaker-approved photo when available.
Venue
Gazometro Ostiense, Rome
I-RIM 3D 2026 takes place on 23–25 October 2026 at Gazometro Ostiense in Rome, in synergy with Maker Faire Rome. The workshop is planned for 23 October 2026.
Gazometro Ostiense
Rome, Italy
Conference 23–25 October 2026
Workshop date 23 October 2026
Conference 23–25 October 2026
Workshop date 23 October 2026
Organization
Workshop organizers
FS
Francesco Scotto di Luzio
Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma
f.scottodiluzio@unicampus.itMR
Marco Rosa
PAL Robotics SL
marco.rosa@pal-robotics.comGM
George Moustris
Institute of Robotics, Athena Research Center
g.moustris@athenarc.grExpected outcomes
Building collaborations beyond I-RIM 2026
The workshop aims to strengthen connections across the robotics community and ongoing national and European initiatives in Human-Robot Interaction and intelligent robotic systems.
Presentation materials, subject to speakers' permission, will be made available through this website. The organizers also plan to build on the workshop discussions toward a Special Session at IEEE/RSJ IROS 2027 in Florence, Italy.