The Paper Review Process at ICRA and IROS

Based on an in-depth interview conducted by NOKOV Motion Capture with Professor Wang Hesheng of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Chairman of the IROS 2025 Conference.

From Submission to Acceptance: How Papers Are Reviewed

ICRA and IROS are among the most competitive robotics conferences in the world. Every year, thousands of papers are submitted, but only a portion are accepted after a rigorous review process. This process is designed to ensure fairness, academic integrity, and the highest scientific standards.

The general workflow includes:

1. Initial Submission: Authors submit papers following strict formatting and video guidelines.

2. Assignment to Editors/Associate Editors (E/AEs): Each paper is assigned to an editor, who selects suitable reviewers.

3. Peer Review: Typically three or more experts review the paper, evaluating originality, technical quality, clarity, and relevance.

4. Handling Borderline Papers: Papers with mixed reviews are flagged for detailed discussion. In many cases, the Senior Program Committee (SPC) or Area Chair provides additional evaluation.

   IROS 2025 SPC: https://www.iros25.org/SPC

5. Final Decision: Based on reviews and SPC recommendations, the Program Committee makes acceptance or rejection decisions.

This structured process ensures that decisions are not based on a single opinion but reflect the collective judgment of multiple experts.

IROS 2024 ABU DHABI

Ensuring Fairness and Quality

• Transparency: Each decision is recorded and traceable.

• Independence: Reviewers work independently to avoid bias.

• Consensus: For controversial cases, SPC members coordinate discussions to reach a balanced outcome.

As Prof. Wang explains: “The review process is not only about selecting papers; it is also about maintaining the credibility and reputation of the conference.”

The Author Experience

For authors, understanding the process helps in preparing strong submissions:

• Follow the templates and deadlines carefully.

• Highlight novelty and contributions clearly.

• Prepare supplementary videos when required.

• Be concise and precise in technical explanations.

By doing so, authors improve their chances of receiving constructive reviews and acceptance.

The paper review process at ICRA and IROS reflects the conferences’ commitment to excellence. Through rigorous evaluation, the conferences maintain their status as the premier stages for global robotics research.