Wearable robotics is a rapidly evolving domain at the intersection of robotics, materials, biomechanics, human-computer interaction, and clinical practice, with significant implications for healthcare, rehabilitation, aging, and human augmentation. The proposed workshop directly addresses this nascent multidisciplinary landscape by focusing on wearable devices’ user-centered design, comfort, sensing, and personalized actuation: critical factors that determine real-world success and adoption of wearable robotic systems. 

The relevance  to ICRA 2026 lies in its focus on emerging challenges beyond actuation and control. The workshop highlights the human-in-the-loop perspective, the integration of truly wearable sensors and actuators, and the need for context-aware, symbiotic and adaptive assistance: areas increasingly aligned with cutting-edge work in robotics, AI, and human-robot collaboration. The workshop also engages with regulatory and ethical developments, including the EU AI Act, which will soon shape how robotic systems are designed and deployed in human-facing applications. Additional aspects important in the design of wearable devices are also addressed, including smart textile and energy systems, as are the effects of wearable use in the physical and mental health of their users, and the importance of such devices in rehabilitation and regaining independence for older adults. 

We target contributed content (through posters, demos, and panel discussions) to reflect the state of the art, leveraging due the participation of leading labs, EU and UK-based consortia members (SWAG and VIVO Hub), and via the contribution of diverse ongoing international projects across prosthetics, exosuits, and assistive technologies. Contributions are anticipated from experts in robotics, advanced sensor integration, soft actuation, neuro-adaptive control, wearable design, spacesuits, and clinical validation, ensuring high technical quality and relevance. 

The workshop’s originality lies in its integrated, interdisciplinary format, and human-centric focus. We will organize live demos, speed-mentoring, panel sessions, and gamified poster interaction to promote deep engagement and community-building. This novel structure will encourage contributions from diverse participants across career stages and backgrounds, including engineering, control, design, materials and healthcare. Furthermore, its focus on user experience, comfort, ethics, and overall user well-being will represent a shift from hardware-centric perspectives toward holistic and sybiotic system integration, a dimension underrepresented in typical robotics workshops. 

By spearheading the development of human-centric wearable systems , and bridging academia, industry, and clinical practice, this event will expand both the diversity of topics and range of voices represented at ICRA 2026, making it a timely and impactful forum for shaping the future of wearable robotics for motion assistance.