> event: HUMANOID_ROBOTICS_CROATIA

Discussion on Humanoid Robotics in Croatia

Shaping the future of human-robot collaboration

February 25, 2026 | 09:00 – 13:00 CETRuđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia
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> about: CONFERENCE_INFO

About the Event

The humanoid robotics revolution is rapidly transforming how we work, live, and communicate. With the global market projected to reach €30 billion by 2035, humanoid robots are transitioning from laboratories to the real world — hospitals, schools, public spaces, and industrial facilities.

This conference, organized by the Ruđer Bošković Institute (as part of the EuroCC2 project), Vandri Robotics, and the Association of Multitasking Managers, brings together leading experts, academics, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers to discuss the transformative potential of humanoid robotics in the region.

The HARIS project (Humanoid Adaptive Reasoning and Interaction System) represents a joint effort to establish the first humanoid robotics center in Europe, aiming to create an ecosystem connecting research, industry, and education.

€30B
Global market by 2035
4
Panel discussions
10+
Speakers
1
Hands-on workshop
> goals: CONFERENCE_OBJECTIVES

Conference Goals

01

Transformative potential

Present the transformative potential of humanoid robotics for the economy, education, and society.

02

Cutting-edge technologies

Introduce participants to state-of-the-art solutions and emerging technologies in humanoid robot development.

03

Concrete activities

Define concrete activities for humanoid robotics development in Croatia, the EU, and globally.

04

Practical demonstrations

Enable practical demonstrations with the Tonka robot and Vandri Robotics HRaaS platform.

> program: SCHEDULE

Program

09:00 – 09:15
OPENING

Conference Opening

Welcome speeches and introduction.

dr. sc. Karolj Skala — IRBTadej Slapnik — Vandri RoboticsRobert Kuščar — Association of Multitasking Managers
09:15 – 09:45
PANEL I

Humanoid Robots and Multimodal Intelligence

Integration of vision, speech, movement, and tactile perception in humanoid robots.

Academician Bojan Jerbić
09:45 – 10:15
PANEL II

Autonomous Robotic Systems — Just a Few Years Away for Us?

Development and application of autonomous robots in real environments.

Prof. Stjepan Bogdan — FER Zagreb
10:15 – 10:30
PANEL III

Humanoid Robots and AI — Robot Networks as Infrastructure or a New Kind

Connecting humanoid robots into intelligent networks for collaborative operation.

Academician Karolj Skala — IRB
10:30 – 10:45
PRESENTATION

The First Humanoid Robotics Center in Europe

Presenting the HARIS project and the vision for a regional humanoid robotics hub.

Anamarija Blažević — Parliamentary RepresentativeTomislav Novic — Mayor of PakracMario Čelan — Educatorium
10:45 – 11:00
PANEL IV

Economic Perspective of Humanoid Robots

Economic potential and impact of humanoid robotics on the labor market and industry.

Tadej Slapnik — Vandri Robotics
11:15 – 11:30
PRESENTATION

5th Symposium Robot Technologies and Applications

Presentation of the symposium and Drone Demo Convoy, Zadar, September 10–13, 2026.

Prof. dr. Mario Valčić — University of Zadar
11:30 – 12:00
ROUNDTABLE

Humanoid Robotics: Opportunities, Challenges, and the Way Forward

Interactive panel discussion on research priorities, industrial applications, regulatory frameworks, and collaboration opportunities.

Tadej Slapnik — ModeratorProf. Zorislav Šojat — ModeratorProf. Stjepan Bogdan — FER ZagrebKrešimir SeverMario Čelan — EducatoriumIvana Kolar — Association of Multitasking ManagersProf. Mario Valčić — University of Zadar
12:00 – 12:45
WORKSHOP

Humanoid Robots in Action

Hands-on workshop with the Tonka robot — demonstration, behind-the-scenes, and Q&A.

Luka SlapnikAmadej PozelnikDejan IličićMiha Golčer
12:45 – 13:00
NETWORKING

Networking & Closing

Informal socializing, contact exchange, and closing remarks.

> speakers: CONFIRMED

Speakers

KS

dr. sc. Karolj Skala

Znanstveni savjetnik

Institut Ruđer Bošković

TS

Tadej Slapnik

Direktor

Vandri Robotics

AB

Akademik Bojan Jerbić

Akademik

HAZU

SB

Prof. Stjepan Bogdan

Profesor

FER Zagreb

AB

Anamarija Blažević

Saborska zastupnica

Hrvatski sabor

TN

Tomislav Novic

Gradonačelnik

Grad Pakrac

Mario Čelan

Direktor

Educatorium

RK

Robert Kuščar

Predsjednik

Udruga MM

MV

Prof. Mario Valčić

Profesor

Sveučilište u Zadru

KS

Krešimir Sever

Predstavnik

Ured za socialno partnerstvo

IK

Ivana Kolar

Članica

Udruga MM

Prof. Zorislav Šojat

Moderator

IRB

> workshop: HANDS_ON

Hands-on Workshop

Humanoid Robots in Action

An exclusive opportunity to interact with the Tonka robot and learn about the HRaaS (Humanoid Robot as a Service) platform.

  • Live demonstration of the Tonka robot in a real environment
  • Behind-the-scenes: how a humanoid robot works
  • Q&A session with the Vandri Robotics development team

Development team

Luka SlapnikAmadej PozelnikDejan IličićMiha Golčer

Join the Discussion

Participation is free

Free participation · Limited seats

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