The IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA) is set to return to Seoul in 2027, marking its presence in the city after a hiatus of 26 years.
Taking place at COEX from May 24-28, 2027, ICRA is anticipated to draw approximately 10,000 global experts in the field of robotics and automation. Aside from the academic conference, attendees can also expect tours of Seoul’s robotic facilities and research centres to be weaved into the agenda.
The announcement was made during the 40th International Conference on Robotics and Automation board meeting in London last June, where Seoul triumphed over Bangkok, Thailand, as the chosen venue for ICRA 2027.
The bid was actively supported by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and the Seoul Tourism Organization.
Chairman Kyu-jin Cho, who leads the ICRA 2027 organising committee and is a professor at Seoul National University in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, expressed his enthusiasm for the event. highlighting the significance of ICRA in elevating the position of Korea’s robotics industry on the global stage.
The Seoul Metropolitan Government has been actively promoting the robotics sector, introducing the Seoul Robotics Industry Promotion Comprehensive Plan in July of last year. This initiative allocates KRW 200 billion (US$151.8 million) until 2026 to foster the growth of the robotics industry and support technological development.
Seoul aims to make robot services more widespread by deploying on-site robots for tasks such as delivery, patrol, and caregiving. The city is actively encouraging the establishment of resident experience spaces and robot clusters.
In alignment with these efforts, the ICRA 2027 organising committee plans to develop more programmes, including industry and local tours and robot competitions, to showcase Seoul’s robotics industry to the global experts attending the conference.
