Category: Robophilosophy

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The 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games

The 2026 World Humanoid Robot Games are taking place in Beijing from August 23 to 25, 2026. More than 2,000 humanoid robots from over 660 teams are competing in 30 sports events and 21 scenario-based competitions. Alongside media and robotics organizations, the Beijing municipal government is one of the co-organizers. Most of the models are general-purpose robots or are based on general-purpose robot platforms that have been modified to varying degrees. While the sports competitions are primarily about spectacle, effects, and emotion, the scenario-based competitions are intended to demonstrate whether the machines can actually perform in manufacturing, logistics, hospitality and catering, retail, household environments, offices, and rescue operations. The fluid movements in kickboxing are particularly impressive, even though the robots are remotely controlled. In tennis, the robots operate autonomously, albeit still at a modest level. The running records are spectacular as well, while slowing down and coming to a controlled stop continue to pose problems. Overall, the picture is clear: things are still somewhat shaky, much like image and video generators were a few years ago, but they are becoming steadily more stable. China has caught up rapidly in general-purpose robots and humanoid robotics more broadly in recent years and now enjoys advantages in manufacturing, infrastructure, supply chains, production volumes, and pricing. Around 80 percent of global shipments now come from China. Ultimately, the event is a demonstration of technological prowess and power.

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The Red Attraction Effect

The Robophilosophy 2026 conference took place from August 11–14, 2026, at University College Dublin (UCD) in Dublin, Ireland. Held under the theme “Connected Futures – Nature, Robots, and Society”, the seventh installment of the international conference series brought together researchers from a wide range of disciplines to explore how robotics and artificial intelligence are transforming human societies and the natural world. On the first day of the conference, Katharina Kühne presented the paper “No Red Romance for Robots? Investigating the Red Attraction Effect in Humanlike Robots”, authored by Emma Luisa M. Waller, Diana P. Ebenburger, Oliver Bendel, Martin Fischer, and herself. The study investigates whether the red-attraction effect known from research on human perception also occurs when people evaluate humanlike robots. From the abstract: “The color red has been shown to positively influence ratings of attractiveness and willingness to spend money (e.g., on a date), while having no effect on other perceptions, such as likeability. In an online study, we aimed to conceptually replicate the red-attraction effect using humanoid robots as stimuli. Forty-four heterosexual female participants evaluated 16 images of medium and highly humanlike robots on attractiveness, likeability, trustworthiness, and willingness to spend money to rent the robot. We found no evidence of a red-attraction effect. Female-looking robots received higher ratings overall. These findings have implications for robot design and suggest that basic cues, such as color, may not operate in the same way for robots. Instead, humanoid robots may constitute a distinct category but still be perceived as social agents.” The proceedings, containing all conference papers, are expected to become available in late 2026.

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Robophilosophy 2016 Opens at UCD

The Robophilosophy Conference 2026 (RP2026) opened on August 11, 2026, at University College Dublin (UCD) in Dublin, Ireland. Held under the theme “Connected Futures – Nature, Robots, and Society”, the conference runs from August 11–14 and brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines to explore how robotics and artificial intelligence are transforming human societies and the natural world. RP2026 is the seventh installment in the international Robophilosophy conference series. University College Dublin (UCD) is Ireland’s largest university and one of the country’s leading research institutions. Located in Dublin, the capital of Ireland, UCD is home to more than 34,000 students and has a strong international profile. As robotic systems become increasingly embedded in everyday life, RP2026 seeks to foster dialogue across fields including social robotics, computer science, human-robot interaction, the humanities, social sciences, law, economics, and environmental research. Key questions include how robotic technologies can uphold human dignity, autonomy, and social justice; how legal systems need to adapt to autonomous decision-making; and whether robots can contribute to sustainability rather than accelerate ecological decline. The conference also addresses the impact of automation on labor markets and economic inequality, the changing meaning of work and human care, and the responsibilities humans may have toward the artificial agents they create. The first day of the conference featured keynote presentations by Lynne Baillie and Arno Klein. The program also included two sessions: “Environmental Robotics and Society”, chaired by Oliver Bendel, and “Responsible Technology Development”, chaired by Sun Park. Several workshops complemented the program, offering additional perspectives on the social, ethical, and environmental dimensions of robotics and artificial intelligence. The Robophilosophy Conference 2026 provides a space for dialogue between technological, philosophical, social-scientific, and environmental perspectives. At its core is the question of how technological innovation can be shaped not only to create new possibilities, but also to contribute to a humane, just, and sustainable future. Further details are available at www.ucd.ie/robophilosophy2026/.

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Celebration of the Daimler and Benz Foundation’s 40th Anniversary

The Daimler and Benz Foundation celebrated its 40th anniversary on July 24, 2026, with a festive event at the Carl Benz House in Ladenburg. Guests were welcomed at the entrance by Managing Director Dr. Jörg Klein and Chairman of the Board Prof. Dr. Lutz Gade. Information booths and poster presentations provided insights into the Foundation’s work and research activities. Throughout the event, Patricia Piekenbrock, a physicist and the Foundation’s communications officer, ensured that everything ran smoothly. The event would not have been possible without the dedication of Marion Hartmann and Monika Stulberg, who were responsible for its organization and execution. One of the first highlights of the celebration came when the actress portraying Bertha Benz took her seat in the Benz Patent-Motorwagen No. 3. This was followed by speeches from Prof. Dr. Lutz Gade and Olaf Schick, Member of the Board of Management for Integrity, Governance and Sustainability at Mercedes-Benz Group AG. The chemist, who teaches and conducts research at Heidelberg University and is a member of both the Heidelberg Academy of Sciences and Humanities and the Academy of Sciences and Literature in Mainz, highlighted the Foundation’s support for research in areas including artificial intelligence, robot and machine ethics, as well as its funding of projects in Africa. Special recognition was given to the scientific members of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees: Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel (FHNW School of Business), Prof. Dr. Hartmut Hillmer (University of Kassel), Prof. Dr. Ralf Poscher (Max Planck Institute for the Study of Crime, Security and Law), and Prof. Dr. Tereza Tykvová (University of St. Gallen). The keynote address was delivered by Prof. Dr. Dominika Wylezalek of Heidelberg University. Against the backdrop of academic freedom, she guided the audience through the millennia-long history of astronomy. Accompanied by a live band, the celebration continued well into the late evening (Photo: Stefanie Hauske).

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Mirumi Opens Pop-Up Store at Harrods

Mirumi, the wearable social robot from Japan, is coming to Harrods in London with an exclusive pop-up store running from July 20 through August 16, 2026. The furry robotic bag charm first gained international attention at CES 2025 and later became a Kickstarter success before selling out during its initial launch in Japan. Designed by Yukai Engineering, Mirumi responds to sounds, movement, touch, and nearby people by turning its head and displaying expressive, lifelike reactions, creating the feeling of carrying a curious little companion on your bag. While Harrods has not announced specific details about the pop-up, visitors can expect the opportunity to experience and purchase Mirumi in person. Exclusive editions have not been confirmed, but Harrods is well known for limited-time collaborations and exclusive retail experiences, making the pop-up especially appealing for collectors and tech enthusiasts. Following its successful debut in Japan and appearances at international events like ICSR + Art 2026, Mirumi is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about wearable social robots of 2026 and is already being compared to the next big collectible trend. An article by Oliver Bendel on wearable social robots is available via Wiley Industry News or directly here as a PDF.

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Little Blowing Bear

As Publicity Chair of ICSR + Art 2026, Oliver Bendel had the opportunity on the third evening to choose between two gifts, one larger and one smaller. Since he had traveled to London with only carry-on luggage, he opted for the smaller one. When he unpacked the cardboard box back home in Zurich, out popped a little bear. Pressing its stubby tail causes it to blow air through its mouth. In this way, it can cool down hot drinks and hot soups. The philosopher of technology tried it out on his terrace. The little bear blew what seemed like a hole right into his coffee. Its name is, by the way, Nekojita FuFu, and it is – like Qoobo and Mirumi – from Yukai Engineering.T he Berlin Bear is the heraldic animal of Berlin and has adorned the city’s coat of arms for centuries. Just outside Germany’s capital lies Potsdam. The city is best known for its magnificent palaces, beautiful gardens, and its important role in German and European history. It is home to the University of Potsdam as well as several renowned research institutions, including the Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics. About 6 kilometers outhwest of Potsdam, in the village of Caputh (part of the municipality of Schwielowsee), stands the Einstein House. The famous physicist had this modest wooden house built in 1929 based on plans by the architect Konrad Wachsmann. Einstein and his family spent their summers there, and he worked there until the end of 1932. The University of Potsdam will host ICSR + Health 2027, where Dr. Katharina Kühne and the Potsdam Embodied Cognition Group (PECoG) will welcome the community with open arms. Incidentally, Potsdam’s coat of arms features a red eagle on a silver field (Photo: Yukai Engineering).

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More News of the World

In 1977, Queen released the album “News of the World”. Its cover likely fascinated or disturbed many teenagers and adults at the time, a reaction that later found its way into popular culture – for example, in the animated sitcom “Family Guy”, where Stewie is terrified of it. The artwork depicts a gigantic humanoid robot holding two dead people in its right hand while blood drips from its left. Science fiction artist Frank Kelly Freas had already used a similar motif in one of his earlier works. Brian May has repeatedly emphasized that “News of the World” represented a deliberate stylistic shift for the band – more direct, rawer, and more contemporary. The cover art clearly reflected that new direction. The guitarist has always been as passionate about science fiction as he is about the reality of outer space. In 2007, after a long interruption, he completed his Ph.D. at Imperial College London with a dissertation on interplanetary dust. A few months ago, he was interviewed for the book “RE:VIEW: Wozu die Menschheit retten? (RE:VIEW: Why Save Humanity?)”. The book’s first section features extensive ESA imagery from the AI-supported planetary defense mission Hera, complemented by works of AI-generated art. In the second section, Hera’s own AI system takes on the role of interviewer, conducting “thirty in-depth conversations with figures from the worlds of art, science, philosophy, and society” (publisher’s description, own translation). In addition to Brian May – who was thus able to discuss both science fiction and the reality of space – the interviewees include, among others, the world’s first female space tourist Anousheh Ansari, “Interstellar” visionary Paul Franklin, PETA founder Ingrid Newkirk, former Guns N’ Roses guitarist Ron “Bumblefoot” Thal, science fiction author Andreas Eschbach, artist Jonathan Meese, and technology philosopher and machine ethics expert Oliver Bendel. The book is being published by We Mind Publishing in collaboration with the agency Jung von Matt. It is already listed on Amazon, where extensive information about the book is now available, and is scheduled for release in September 2026.

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Playboy Interview on Chatbots, Love Dolls, and Sex Robots

At the end of July 2025, Playboy interviewed Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel about relationships with chatbots, love dolls, and sex robots. The Playboy Special Edition was published in conjunction with the exhibition SEX NOW, which ran from September 5, 2025, to May 3, 2026. Beginning on September 11, 2025, the German magazine was available at the NRW-Forum Düsseldorf. It is visually stunning and delights readers with its playful and engaging language throughout. “Great Art in Playboy” presents “a small exhibition of significant visual artists and their works under the sign of the rabbit” (own translation). It features nude works ranging from Dalí to Warhol. “The Woman Without Taboos” is Beate Uhse, who, according to Playboy, “made the sexual revolution part of everyday life in Germany”. The magazine pays tribute to her with “an ode to an educator and businesswoman”. “Our Second-Best Friend” is the vibrator, whose cultural history is said to reveal “more about the relationship between the sexes than any sociology textbook”. A four-page feature includes a three-page interview with Oliver Bendel, a philosopher of technology based in Zurich. The interview was conducted by Christina Weiß. In the table of contents, it appears under the heading “Sex Devices”. The conversation explores sometimes exciting but always one-sided relationships with chatbots, love dolls, and sex robots. With the kind permission of Florian Boitin, Editor-in-Chief of Playboy Germany, the article has been available for download here since July 7, 2026.

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SAGA Conference Program

The upcoming “SAGA: Sexuality and Generative AI” symposium, taking place on April 30, 2026 at the Université du Québec à Montréal, explores how generative AI is reshaping intimacy, desire, relationships, and sexual expression. The first block, titled “Societal Impacts”, brings together a set of talks that examine how emerging technologies are already influencing human connection and cultural norms. Brian Willoughby (Brigham Young University, United States) opens with “Engagement with Romantic AI: Implications for Young Adult Dating and Relationships”, addressing how AI companions may alter expectations and behaviors in modern dating. Arnaud Anciaux (Université Laval, Canada) follows with “Toward a Great Bypass? Property, Consent, and Value Creation in AI-Generated Sexual Content”, focusing on legal and ethical questions around ownership and consent. Émilie Gaudet (Université de Montréal, Canada) contributes “AI-Generated Pornography and Problematic Pornography Use”, exploring the psychological and societal risks associated with synthetic sexual media. Finally, Oliver Bendel (FHNW School of Business, Switzerland) looks ahead in “Physical AI and the Future of Intimacy”, considering how embodied AI systems could transform intimate relationships. The program also features “Panel 1 – Technological Solutions to the Challenges of AI”, with contributions from Sophie Mortimer (UK Revenge Porn Helpline, United Kingdom), Alex Georges (AetherLab, United States), and Madelaine Thomas (Image Angel, United Kingdom), who discuss practical responses to harms such as non-consensual content and digital abuse. Overall, the symposium is structured into four thematic blocks and includes two panels, offering a compact yet wide-ranging exploration of one of the most sensitive and rapidly evolving intersections of technology and human life. The SAGA conference program is now available online and can be downloaded here.

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Robophilosophy 2026 Now Open for Registration

The Robophilosophy Conference 2026 (RP2026), titled “Connected Futures – Nature, Robots, and Society”, will take place August 11-14, 2026, in Dublin, Ireland, bringing together researchers from across disciplines to examine how robotics and artificial intelligence are reshaping human societies and the natural world. As robotic systems become increasingly embedded in everyday life, the conference aims to foster dialogue between fields ranging from social robotics, computer science, and human-robot interaction to the humanities, social sciences, law, economics, and environmental research. Central questions include how robotic technologies can uphold human dignity and social justice, how legal systems must adapt to autonomous decision-making, and whether robots can contribute to sustainability rather than accelerate ecological decline. The event marks the seventh installment in the Robophilosophy conference series and features plenary speakers such as Lynne Baillie, Ryan Calo, Hideki Kajima, Arno Klein, Bertram Malle, and Shannon Vallor. Importantly, the submission deadline for research papers, posters, and artistic contributions has been extended to March 15, 2026, offering additional time for scholars and practitioners to contribute to this interdisciplinary conversation. Registration is now open, and further details are available at www.ucd.ie/robophilosophy2026/.