University of Pisa
X TU Delft · 14–15 September 2026
2nd Unconventional Robotics Symposium
(Un)conventional sources of inspiration: Biology, Arts, Books, and beyond
Free to attend. Informal, but serious.
Overview
What is it about?
The 2nd Unconventional Robotics Symposium is a free two-day event at TU Delft for researchers, students, and technically-minded enthusiasts who take robotics beyond its standard assumptions; through soft bodies, physical computation, embodied intelligence, nonlinear dynamics, and inspiration from biology, arts, and beyond. Free for all. No registration fee.
Key information
- Date: 14 – 15 September 2026
- Start Monday: 08:30
- Location: X TU Delft, The Netherlands
- Contact: unconv.robotics@gmail.com
Why
Why this symposium exists
Academic robotics conferences are valuable — but they are also expensive, carbon-heavy, and often inaccessible. This symposium was born as a different model: a focused, free, local event where researchers and enthusiasts can exchange ideas without the overhead. No registration fee. No need to fly. Just good talks and good discussion.
Speakers
Speakers
(More to come!)
Delft University of Technology
Kunal Masania
University of Oxford
Perla Maiolino
Wageningen University and Research
Guillermo Amador
Kinetic Art Sculptures
Volkert van der Wijk
Delft University of Technology
Just Herder
Artist & creative engineer
Daniel Simu
University of Groningen
David Lentink
Delft University of Technology
Salua Hamaza
University of Applied Arts Vienna
Noor Stenfert Kroese
Schedule
Schedule
Day 1
Arts & Robotics
14 September
Registration opens
For workshop participants
Workshop by Mostafa Atalla
From Research Idea to Funded Proposal
In Room G1.305 in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering
Registration and welcome Coffee
Lunch is not included
Opening
Daniel Simu
Innovation and other sillyness
Perla Maiolino
The Art of Embodied Intelligence: From Dance to Soft Robotics
Flash Talks
Poster session + Coffee
Antonio Bicchi
What is it like to be a bot?
Noor Stenfert Kroese
Can't rush a mushroom
Volkert van der Wijk
Mechanism Design for Kinetic Sculptures
End of day
Drinks for all participants afterwards at Vakwerkhuis, Professor Snijdersstraat 2
Time to follow
Day 2
Biology & Robotics
15 September
Doors open, coffee
Welcome back
David Lentink
Avian Inspired Design
Salua Hamaza
Animal Drones: Zoomorphic Design and Emerging Intelligence
Flash Talks
Poster session + Coffee
Kunal Masania
Mycelia-inspired Machines
Just Herder
Non-bio-inspired design
Guillermo Amador
How cuttlefish stick to their prey in milliseconds: Insights for bioinspired robotics
Closing + Wiley best poster award
Registration for Workshop
More information and registration
Workshop
From Research Idea to Funded Proposal: Grant Acquisition for (Unconventional) Early-Career Researchers
The workshop will take place in Room G1.305 in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at TU Delft.
-------------------------------This half-day workshop will introduce finishing PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers at TU Delft to early-career funding opportunities and effective grant-acquisition strategies.
More information and registration
Registration
Register here
Registration
Signing up is managed through a separate system. Registration is free but space is limited - sign up early.
Register here
Practical
Practical info
For people travelling from outside Delft.
Getting there
Delft is 15 minutes by train from Rotterdam Centraal and 1 hour from Amsterdam Centraal. More info on the Dutch Railways website. Public transport can be easily checked in & out with your debit card, credit card, your mobile or smartwatch. More info here.
What is included
Coffee breaks on both days are provided free of charge. Lunch is not included on either day, and Café X will be busy. However, Aula and faculty canteens are about five minutes away. There are also several food trucks on campus with good food options.
Evening
We will confirm whether there is a dinner or social event.
Accommodation
We recommend hotels in Delft city centre; campus is easily accessible by foot, bike or bus (about 5–10 minutes). Some options include:
| Name | Note | Price 2 nights |
|---|---|---|
| The Social Hub | Right next to the train station | 200€ |
| ibis Styles Delft | Right next to the train station | 210€ |
| Casa Julia | Close to campus | 220€ |
Previous edition
Previous edition
The first edition took place on 1 October 2025 at TU Delft
Recording
Watch the recordings from the first edition on Collegerama.
Organizers
Organizers
Delft University of Technology
Cosimo Della Santina
Delft University of Technology
Ebrahim Shahabi
Delft University of Technology
Davood Farhadi
Kindly supported by
Location
Location
X TU Delft, Mekelweg 8, Delft, The Netherlands