Cross-innovation trip to Ars Electronica 2026

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

Inspiring questions:

1. Human-machine interaction
   How does a humanoid robot feel? Gestures, facial expressions, voice, UX/CX, storytelling, social signals.
2. AI, personality & expression
   How "full of character" can a robot be? AI for behavior, language, movement, ethics, dramaturgical inspiration.
3. Body & choreography
   How does a robot move in an understandable or aesthetic way? Motion design, body language, collaboration with performers.
4. Identity & Empathy
   Why do we humanize machines? Uncanny Valley, bonding, psychological reflection, design ethics of proximity.

Participants of the Cross-Innovation Journey will gain exclusive access to an interdisciplinary program at the interface of art, technology and robotics with the following offers:

• Insights into one of the most renowned festivals for art and technology Ars Electronica 2026 - Future Begins
• Curated program (guided tours, speed dating, artists' meeting, innovation workshop) by the curators of the Ars Electronica Festival on the topic of robotics: AI & humans - machine interaction & humanoid robotics & animaloid robotics & hand-face-sound design & work 4.0
• Organization of the trip by CreativeTechHUB of Bayern Innovativ GmbH
• Access to exclusive networking events, workshops and panels
• Presentation opportunities for your own projects
• Direct exchange with international artists, scientists and robotics companies
• Allowance for expenses, daily catering and dinner together

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.

A cross-innovation trip to Ars Electronica started last year.

Bayern Innovativ Kreativwirtschaft will be returning to Linz in 2026 to develop interdisciplinary ideas together with experts from robotics, research and industry and to lay the foundations for innovative projects, collaborations and artistic interventions, from human-machine interaction, AI and experience design to ethics and future scenarios.

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

Click here for the application form

The places for participants 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).

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.

• Bavarian State Ministry of Economic Affairs, Regional Development and Energy (StMWi)
• Ars Electronica, Veronika Liebl
• Bayern Innovativ, Johanna Lison
• bayern design, Nadine Vicentini
• XR HUB, Silke Schmidt
• Interactive Media & Media Systems, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Prof. Andreas Muxel
• Kreativ München, Christina Schepper-Bonnet
• UnternehmerTUM Munich, Sabine Hansky