Announcement from the Conference Chairs

Affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, we have not gathered in person for IROS for two years, even though we recognized the importance and value of the onsite meetings. The IROS 2022 organizing committee then decided to hold the IROS this year as a traditional in-person conference with a virtual option. As of today, the IROS 2022 has received nearly 2,600 onsite registrations, along with many online registrations. On behalf of the conference organizing committee, we thank you all for your support and participation.

We strive to make the in-person event fruitful and memorable while following safety precautions as warranted – our top priority is the health and safety of our conference attendees. Following the regulations of the local government and the venue, we are not allowed to have dinner together in a large crowd. Therefore, the organizing committee needs to cancel all such large gatherings; we will not hold a welcome reception, conference banquet, or farewell party. Instead, the IROS conference will provide you with nice lunch boxes on three technical session days and the opportunity to mingle with each other during lunchtime in numerous separate places while avoiding the large crowds. Please take this advantage to enjoy the meeting, network with each other, say hello to old friends, and chat with new friends. The IROS conference also provides a virtual room for networking after the day’s technical sessions. You can then chat with each other wherever you are staying in your hotel room or at a restaurant while preventing infection.

The IROS organizing committee, working with the local organizing team, will provide a Japanese Drum Performance, “WADAIKO,” and the fireworks display outdoors on the evening of the 26th of October to express gratitude to all participants and to celebrate the success of the conference. We will also offer other Japanese cultural experiences and many technical activities.

We welcome you to IROS 2022, and let us explore together Kyoto, a historical, cultural, and innovative city, while we share and celebrate the latest developments in the robotics community.

General Chair: Shugen Ma, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
Program Chair: Yasushi Nakauchi, University of Tsukuba, Japan