Humanoid Robotics: Industry Leaders to Discuss Progress and Challenges at Robotics Summit & Expo 2026
Humanoid robots are rapidly transitioning from research projects to real-world applications, sparking significant interest within and beyond the robotics community. The 2026 Robotics Summit & Expo, taking place in Boston on May 27 and 28, will host a keynote panel dedicated to “The State of Humanoid Robotics,” bringing together experts to assess the current landscape and future potential of these advanced machines.
Keynote Panel: Cutting Through the Hype
The panel will feature insights from Pras Velagapudi, Chief Technology Officer at Agility Robotics; Aaron Prather, Director of Robotics and Autonomous Systems Programs at ASTM International; and Alberto Rodriguez, Director of Robot Behavior for Atlas at Boston Dynamics. The discussion aims to move beyond the hype surrounding humanoid robots and provide a realistic evaluation of their capabilities in industrial settings, specifically factories and warehouses.
Exploring Current Capabilities and Challenges
Attendees can expect a comprehensive exploration of the current state of humanoid robotics, including a discussion of technical and operational hurdles. The keynote will also address critical safety and standards considerations, as well as lessons learned from early deployments and testing phases. The goal is to provide a grounded understanding of where humanoid robots are currently delivering value and what improvements are necessary for wider industrial adoption.
Meet the Experts
- Pras Velagapudi (Agility Robotics): Velagapudi brings decades of experience in robotics planning and control, with a focus on deploying robots in diverse environments. Previously a Vice President of Engineering and Chief Architect of mobile robotics at Berkshire Grey, he led the deployment of hundreds of robots in logistics applications. At Agility Robotics, he is focused on the development and operationalization of the bipedal robot Digit. [Robotics Summit]
- Aaron Prather (ASTM International): Prather has extensive experience developing and deploying robotics and autonomous systems globally, gained through his previous work at FedEx. He is also actively involved in standards development at both A3 (formerly RIA) and UL, and is dedicated to workforce development in the robotics and automation fields.
- Alberto Rodriguez (Boston Dynamics): Rodriguez leads teams at Boston Dynamics focused on the controls, reinforcement learning, vision-language-action models, and applications that drive the development and scaling of the Atlas humanoid robot. His work centers on the intersection of hardware and software to create robots with advanced physical intelligence.
Robotics Summit & Expo 2026 Details
The Robotics Summit & Expo is the leading technical event for commercial robotics developers. It will feature over 50 sessions covering artificial intelligence, design and development, enabling technologies, healthcare, and logistics. An Engineering Theater on the show floor will host additional presentations from industry experts. [Robotics Summit Agenda]
The event will also offer numerous networking opportunities, including a Mix & Mingle Reception, the RBR50 Awards Dinner, and a Women in Robotics Breakfast. It is co-located with DeviceTalks Boston, which focuses on medical devices.
Registration for the Robotics Summit & Expo is now open. [Robotics Summit]