IROS 2024 Concludes in Abu Dhabi, Drawing Record-Breaking 10,000 Participants
The 36th edition of the IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2024) successfully concluded today at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), attracting nearly 10,000 attendees, including visitors, delegates, and participants. This record-breaking turnout marks Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a premier global destination for advanced robotics, artificial intelligence, and cutting-edge technology innovation.
Over five days, IROS 2024 gathered researchers, academics, scientists, and regulatory figures from around the world, featuring impactful keynote sessions, plenary talks, and diverse presentations on robotics and intelligent systems. Attendees were captivated by live demonstrations of groundbreaking technology in fields like applied robotics and intelligent systems, underscoring the conference’s global appeal.
Dr. Jorge Manuel Dias, General Chair of IROS 2024, lauded the event's success as the MENA region's first-ever IROS, noting the record-breaking attendance, the volume of innovations presented, and the robust talent search facilitated by the conference. “IROS 2024 has generated remarkable enthusiasm and laid the groundwork for scientific exploration and business collaboration within the region,” he stated. He also acknowledged the crucial support of government and industry partners in hosting the event.
Dr. Magnus Egerstedt, Dean of Engineering at the University of California, Irvine, delivered the closing plenary session on ‘From Coordination to Collaboration in Multi-Robot Systems,’ providing insights into advancements in multi-robot coordination inspired by ecological models. Other notable sessions included a keynote on ‘Robotic Competitions,’ led by Dr. Lakmal Seneviratne of Khalifa University, featuring industry leaders like Dr. Timothy Chung from Microsoft and Professor Pedro U. Lima from the University of Lisbon.
Additional sessions featured over 500 research papers presented through pitch oral sessions and forums focused on key areas, including sustainable development in marine robotics, AI-enhanced human-robot interaction, medical robotics, and wellbeing through advanced robotics technologies. The final day’s forums highlighted collaborations with major institutions such as NATO’s Science and Technology Organization and universities worldwide, fostering knowledge exchange and pushing the frontiers of robotics innovation.
With IROS 2024, Abu Dhabi has strengthened its standing as a global hub for robotics and AI, positioning itself as a center for advanced technology and intelligent systems research, development, and application.
