Why Attend Top Robotics Conferences?

The Value of ICRA and IROS for Scholars and Industry

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.

Engaging with Global Frontiers

Top robotics conferences such as ICRA and IROS are more than stages for presenting papers—they are gateways to the international research community. Professor Hesheng Wang’s own path, from his first ICRA as a PhD student in 2005 to Chairing IROS 2025, illustrates how these events shape careers and connect researchers to global frontiers.

Prof. Hesheng Wang at IROS 2024 ABU DHABI

Face-to-face discussions with leading scholars, keynote talks, and direct engagement create opportunities no journal or online forum can replicate.

Building Networks and Collaborations

Academic exchange at ICRA and IROS often evolves into lasting partnerships. Prof. Wang recalls meeting a colleague at a conference that later developed into student exchanges and joint research. Such encounters highlight the power of conferences to spark collaboration across disciplines and borders.

As Chair of IROS 2025, Prof. Wang continues to encourage young researchers: “You need to be there in person to truly understand the frontiers and industry trends.”

Prof. Wang at ICRA 2024 Poster Session

Broadening Horizons Beyond Research

Conferences also provide cultural enrichment. Whether exploring Barcelona’s Gaudí architecture or enjoying a walk between sessions, these experiences add to the personal value of attending, blending academic growth with global perspective.

Connecting Academia and Industry

In recent years, ICRA and IROS have become essential bridges between academia and industry. Leading companies like Google and Amazon send teams to engage with the latest research, while more Chinese enterprises are joining to identify emerging technologies and shape future strategies. This interaction accelerates the transition of research into real-world applications.

ICRA 2024 Robotics Competition Exhibits

From his first appearance at a conference in Barcelona in 2005 to his current prominence on the global stage, Professor Wang's journey through conferences has seen him grow as a person, exchange ideas with other academics and work with others, and see China's robotics community grow and develop. For him, top conferences are not only places to show off research achievements, but also very important opportunities for sharing ideas, working together, and learning more. He encourages others to make the most of every opportunity to engage with the world and to keep their academic path in sync with global advancements.

Going to top academic conferences like ICRA and IROS helps scholars and researchers to understand the latest global research trends, create more chances for academic exchange, and learn about different cultures by getting involved in what the conferences have to offer.

NOKOV has supported the New Generation Star Project (NGSP) for two years in a row, with the aim of helping more young people interested in robotics research to develop. At IROS 2025 in Hangzhou, NOKOV will continue to play a big part in the IROS 2025 New Generation Star Project.

For past NGSP sessions, please visit:

ICRA2024 NGSP

IROS2024 NGSP