“This is a big win for Sydney and the NSW visitor economy. It’s also exciting to be hosting such an important global discussion in Sydney. This emerging field is reaching a critical inflection point and hosting a world-leading conference will put Australian experts at the forefront of that conversation,” said Minister for Jobs and Tourism the Hon John Graham.
Business event bidding specialists BESydney partnered with pre-eminent robotics researchers from around Australia to bid to bring IROS down under, attracting between 7-10,000 global delegates and generating an estimated $31 million in direct expenditure into the local economy. IROS Sydney will be held at the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) from 2 to 6 October 2028.
Last year, IROS 2028 Bid Co-Chair, University of Technology Sydney (UTS) Distinguished Professor Dikai Liu, was recognised with the Harashima Award, the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society’s highest award for his contributions to the field of Infrastructure Robotics.
Professor Liu said, “The successful bid to host IROS2028 in Sydney highlights the outstanding efforts of distinguished Australian robotics researchers, Professors Dana Kulic, Peter Corke, Denny Oetomo, and Hanna Kurniawati. Their expertise and dedication have secured this prestigious event, and I am honoured to co-chair alongside them. This is a great opportunity to showcase Australian robotics, promote the robot industry in Australasia, and also advance robotics in the Pacific Island Countries.”
“Events such as IROS allow us to build global connectivity for our robust local research ecosystem as well as showcasing Australian capability and collaboration and investment opportunities.”
IROS is one of the largest and most impactful robotics research conferences worldwide. Established in 1988 and held annually, IROS gathers the expert international robotics research community to explore the frontier of science and technology in intelligent robots and smart machines. The research showcased at these global conferences plays a critical role in growing new industries, providing the foundation for innovation.
BESydney CEO Lyn Lewis Smith said, “Events such as IROS allow us to build global connectivity for our robust local research ecosystem as well as showcasing Australian capability and collaboration and investment opportunities. New South Wales hosts advanced research facilities, which have pioneered innovations in areas including space robotics, infrastructure maintenance, and sustainable mining applications.
“Initiatives like the Sydney Quantum Academy and Tech Central’s innovation hubs underpin Sydney’s vibrant ecosystem, creating opportunities for collaboration across fields such as AI, quantum computing, and robotics. These advancements are driving NSW’s competitive edge and attracting international conferences and investment that spotlight its leadership in digital and intelligent technologies,” she said.
IROS is sponsored by the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society, the Robotics Society of Japan, the Society of Instrument and Control Engineers, the New Technology Foundation, and the IEEE Industrial Electronics Society.
