Under the "Distributed Online Technical Activities" by IEEE Robotics Automation Society, the Global Ocean Robotics Day 2026 will take place on October 21, 2026. 

With a special focus on strengthening engagement in under-represented regions, this event is designed to scale global technical exchange in the rapidly growing field of marine AI and underwater robotics. 

The event will utilize a globally coordinated hybrid structure, featuring free online participation that connects 10 distributed, in-person local hubs. By uniting these hubs, we aim to overcome geographical and financial barriers, fostering broad international engagement and democratizing access to cutting-edge research in ocean robotics. 

One day of talks, streamed online for free, open to all, with hybrid hubs for free in person attendance to facilitate in person networking and socializing.   You can get involved in various ways:

• Online:  Join for any of the talks, live, ask questions, get involved.

• In person:  Join at a hybrid venue: contact the focal point of the hub closest to you!! 

The partner-nodes are: 

• Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, UAE (focal point: Dr. Giulia De Masi) 

• Constructor University, Bremen, Germany (focal point: Dr. Francesco Maurelli) 

• University of Queensland, Australia (focal point: Dr. Stephany Berrio Perez) 

• Universidad Distrital Francisco Jose De Caldas, Colombia (focal point: Jose David Cely Callejas) 

• Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (Dr. Mohd Azizi Bin Abdul Rahman)  

• Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, China (focal point: Dr. Suleman Mazhar) 

• IIT Madras, India (focal point: Dr. Abhilash Somayajula)  

• Inha University, Korea (focal point: Dr. Younggun Cho) 

• IPB University , Indonesia (focal point : Prof. Dr. Indra Jaya) 

• Universidade Federal Fluminense, Brazil (focal point: Dr. Lara de Oliveira Melo Castro)

For attendees: Register for the Webinar (this enables your participation!) 

https://ieee.webex.com/weblink/register/r3a01afd10a0025a30e8972786cdc16b7 

Register your interest to receive updates 

https://forms.gle/ML3Y7TcjDeakp4mE7 

Organizers

Giulia De Masi: giulia.demasi@sorbonne.ae 

Francesco Maurelli: fmaurelli@constructor.university 

Co-chairs: 

Younggun Cho, Monika Roznere, Nina Mahmoudian, Stephany Berrio Perez, Alberto Quattrini Li