On June 24, 2025, munich_i Hightech Summit unfolded at automatica in Hall B4, bringing together top-tier researchers and technologists from around the world to explore the transformative power of artificial intelligence in robotics. Under the theme “Intelligence Empowering Tomorrow”, the event offered a unique convergence of academic insight, industrial application, and global collaboration.
Curated by the Munich Institute of Robotics and Machine Intelligence (MIRMI) at TUM, the summit tackled topics from human-robot interaction and 6G connectivity to generative AI and robotic healthcare—with a clear focus on the real-world integration of emerging technologies.
Session Highlights: From Autonomy to Healthcare
1. Autonomy and Human-Robot Interaction
Experts like Prof. Seth Hutchinson (Northeastern University) and Prof. Antonio Bicchi (University of Pisa & IIT) delved into safe human-robot collaboration in sensitive environments such as nursing care. Bicchi introduced the idea of robots as intelligent, sensor-rich prosthetics capable of anticipating human intent.
The Honda Research Institute Europe showcased AI agents capable of independent orientation, decision-making, and explainability, signaling a new age of trustworthy autonomy.
2. Connectivity in Cooperative Robotics
Dr. Corina Apachiţe (Continental Automotive) outlined AI’s contribution to Vision Zero, aiming for zero road casualties. Meanwhile, Prof. Frank Fitzek (TU Dresden) demonstrated how 6G-enabled robots will enhance real-time cooperation through network-based situational awareness and decentralized decision-making.
3. Generative AI and Big Data in Robotics
A powerhouse lineup included:
- Dr. Francesco Nori, Head of Google DeepMind Robotics, on applying general AI to tackle complex handling tasks.
- Dr. Franziska Meier, Meta FAIR, focused on autonomous learning for a broad range of robotic applications.
- Dr. Katja Hofmann, Microsoft Research, explored ML architectures for modeling 3D spaces and simulating human interactions.
- Dr. Yashraj Narang, NVIDIA Research, shared work on sim-to-real transfer, automated data generation, and reinforcement learning in robotic behavior design.
4. Future Medical Robotics
Healthcare took center stage with:
- Prof. Pietro Valdastri (University of Leeds) introducing magnetically controlled soft surgical robots for minimally invasive procedures.
- Dr. Chiheb Dahmani (Siemens Healthineers) discussing the future role and limitations of robotic exoskeletons and assistive devices in medical settings.
A Platform for Strategic Insight and Global Networking
Attended by executives, developers, and researchers, the summit served as a strategic guidepost for companies navigating the future of AI-powered automation. Prof. Lorenzo Masia, Executive Director at MIRMI, emphasized, “We have designed this program to spotlight AI’s central role in robotics and its market relevance, particularly in healthcare.”
Prof. Dr. Angela Schoellig, board member at MIRMI and coordinator of the Robotics Institute Germany, added, “We’re thrilled to see global leaders in software and AI engaging directly with the robotics community.”
Beyond the Summit: munich_i Ecosystem
The munich_i platform also includes:
- Robothon®, a developer challenge encouraging applied robotics.
- AI.Society, a public exhibit and dialogue zone focused on AI’s impact on health, mobility, work, and environment.
Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder serves as the event’s official patron, underlining its national significance.
