Cross-innovation trip to Ars Electronica 2026

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

In focus:

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.
5. Prototyping & Creative Robotics
   How do we create prototypes that can be experienced quickly? Creative coding, soft robotics, wearables, hybrid experiments.
6. 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.

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).