Cross-innovation trip to Ars Electronica 2026

Creativity meets robotics

16.03.2026

What happens when humanoid robots don't just work, but feel, play, perform and tell stories? When technology is not just built, but designed? We invite CreativeTech actors from Bavaria to be part of a curated cross-innovation journey to Ars Electronica, one of the world's most important festivals for media art, technology and society.

Ars Electronica is one of the world's leading festivals for art, technology and society. In order to specifically promote networking between the cultural and creative industries, robotics, research and industry, the Cross-Innovation Journey 2026 to Ars Electronica brings together creative tech players from the NPP with robotics companies and representatives from science and research. The aim is to further develop robotics and AI through creative perspectives and promote interdisciplinary cooperation - for new ideas, best practices and innovative partnerships.

The trip is organized by Bayern Innovativ Kreativwirtschaft in cooperation with Ars Electronica and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi).

Applications are now open and the deadline for applications is June 1, 2026.

Click here for the application form

Click here for the Open Call

Thematic focus

Robotics: AI & Humans - Machine Interaction & Humanoid Robotics & Animaloid Robotics & Hand-Face-Sound Design & Work 4.O

In focus:

Human-machine interaction
How does a humanoid robot feel? Gestures, facial expressions, voice, UX/CX, storytelling, social signals.
AI, personality & expression
How "full of character" can a robot be? AI for behavior, language, movement, ethics, dramaturgical inspiration.
Body & choreography
How does a robot move in an understandable or aesthetic way? Motion design, body language, collaboration with performers.
Identity & Empathy
Why do we humanize machines? Uncanny Valley, bonding, psychological reflection, design ethics of proximity.
Prototyping & Creative Robotics
How do we create prototypes that can be experienced quickly? Creative coding, soft robotics, wearables, hybrid experiments.
Ethics & creative power
Who controls machines - and according to what values? Responsible AI, bias, control, transparency, critical interventions.

Goals of the journey

Development of new projects, collaborations, prototypes and perspectives. It is an exploration and networking format for future topics.

Program & Services

Curated program at the Ars Electronica
Insights into international media art, robotics & AI projects
Exchange with companies, researchers & other creatives
Reflection sessions, discussions & networking in the group
Space for new ideas, collaborations and possible follow-up projects

Destinations of the trip

The aim of the cross-innovation trip is to initiate concrete follow-up projects between CreativeTech players and robotics companies as well as representatives from science and research and to establish sustainable, practical collaborations. To this end, the journey brings together people, ideas and perspectives from both areas and creates a space in which initial impulses can lead to more: new partnerships, initial prototypes and concrete joint projects.

What is created here has an impact beyond the trip: promising approaches can then be further developed and supported in a targeted manner, with a clear focus on facilitating long-term collaboration and genuine innovation.

Participants of the cross-innovation journey

Applications are now open.

Click here for the application form

The participation places for the players from all eleven submarkets of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) were awarded as part of a jury process.

The trip is organized by Bayern Innovativ Kreativwirtschaft in cooperation with Ars Electronica and the Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi).

Jury of the Open Call

The participation places for the players from all eleven submarkets of the cultural and creative industries (CCIs) will be awarded as part of a jury process.