CIRP CATS 2026

11 th CIRP Conference on Assembly Technologies and Systems

CIRP CATS 2026

28 - 30 April 2026 | Hong Kong | China

Welcome to CIRP CATS 2026

We are excited to welcome you to the CIRP CATS Conference in Hong Kong, China, on April 28–30, 2026.

With the prevailing research and development in human-centric smart manufacturing, the conference theme of CIRP CATS 2026 is on the “Human-Machine Symbiotic Assembly and Disassembly” by embracing the cutting-edge digitalization, AI and robotic technologies. CATS 2026 will unite leading academics, industry practitioners, and systems integrators on a single platform to present their latest research and share insights into the evolving challenges of smart factory implementation.

Specifically, the programme will explore cutting‑edge trends in symbiotic assembly systems—advancements that are shaping the next generation of manufacturing. Featured topics include: (Dis)assembly process optimization; Embodied system for (Dis)assembly; Human-machine collaborative (dis)assembly.

Hong Kong, with its roots as a 19th‑century trading entrepôt, has grown into a premier global financial center and one of the world’s most interconnected cities. Home to over 7.5 million residents, it is renowned for its dynamic skyline, deep natural harbor, and its seamless fusion of Cantonese heritage with global influences.

Join us in Hong Kong, where East meets West and ideas converge to drive innovation and growth. We look forward to welcoming you!

Conference Topics

(Dis)assembly Process Optimization

  • Design for (dis)assembly
  • Flexible and intelligent joining systems
  • Assembly planning, control and scheduling
  • Novel joining processes for advanced material
  • Process modeling, simulation and optimization
  • Methods and tools for knowledge management

Embodied Systems for (Dis)assembly

  • Mobile robots and platforms
  • Manipulation of deformable objects
  • Multi‑Robot concepts and systems
  • Handling technologies and (robotic) grippers
  • Computer vision and perception for (dis)assembly
  • Flexible and reconfigurable (dis)assembly systems

Human–Machine Collaborative (Dis)assembly

  • Virtual and augmented reality
  • Robust, fast and safe path planning
  • Operator support, training and ergonomics
  • Human‑Robot interaction and collaboration
  • Methods and tools for knowledge management
  • From manual towards fully automated (dis)assembly

Committee

Organizing Committee

Pai ZHENG (Conference Chair, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

Lihui WANG (Conference Chair, KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

József VANCZA (Conference Sponsor, Institute for Computer Science and Control (SZTAKI))

Robert GAO (Conference Sponsor, Case Western Reserve University)

Scientific Committee

Alain BERNARD (Ecole Centrale de Nantes)
Alessandra CAGGIANO (University of Naples Federico II)
Aydin NASSEHI (University of Bristol)
Annika RAATZ (Leibniz University Hannover)
Alexander VERL (University of Stuttgart)
Benny C.F. CHEUNG (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Bernard HON (University of Liverpool)
Benoit IUNG (University of Lorraine)
Bob WILHELM (University of Nebraska-Lincoln)
Fei TAO (Beihang University)
George Q. HUANG (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Hong-Chao ZHANG (Texas Tech University)
Jürgen FLEISCHER (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology)
Jörg KRÜGER (Technische Universität Berlin)
Jack S. HU (University of Georgia)
John W. SUTHERLAND (Purdue University)

Klaus DRÖDER (Technical Universität of Braunschweig)
Kirsten TRACHT (University of Bremen)
Nikolaos PAPAKOSTAS (University College Dublin)
Rikard SÖDERBERG (Chalmers University of Technology)
Sung-Hoon AHN (Seoul National University)
Sami KARA (University of New South Wales)
Shinsuke KONDOH (The University of Tokyo)
Soh-Khim ONG (National University of Singapore)
Sotiris MAKRIS (University of Patras)
Sebastian THIEDE (University of Twente)
Sandy TO (Hong Kong Polytechnic University)
Wilfried SIHN (Fraunhofer Austria)
Yuanliu CHEN (Zhejiang University)
Yingguang LI (Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics)
Yasushi UMEDA (The University of Tokyo)

Programme

Tuesday, 28. April 2026 Wednesday, 29. April 2026 Thursday, 30. April 2026
AM Keynote
Keynote
Parallel Paper Sessions
PM Parallel Paper Sessions
City Travel
Evening Registration & Welcome Reception Conference Dinner

The detailed programme and further information on the conference locations can be found here.

Keynote

To be announced …

Important Dates

Call for papers

Abstract submission opens

Notification of abstract acceptance

Full paper submission

Notification of full paper review result

Final paper submission

Early bird registration deadline

Regular registration deadline

Conference

01. August 2025

15. August 2025

25. October 2025

15. November 2025

01. January 2026

12. February 2026

10. March 2026

10. April 2026

28. – 30. April 2026

Instrutions

Abstract submission

The abstract submission is not open yet.

Full paper submission

The  full paper submission is not open yet.

Information and Templates:

Information for the presentation:

  • A slot of 20 minutes is planned for each paper
    • 15 minutes presentation
    • 5 minutes for questions and discussion
  • The presentation must be submitted before the conference – (name the file after your Manuscript Number: PROCIR-D-26-XXXXX)
    • Upload-Link
    • Deadline: 22.04.2026
  • For the presentation either the template provided or your own template can be used.

Registration

Registration fees

Until 9. March 2026 From 10. March 2026
Teacher To be determined To be determined
Student To be determined To be determined
Please use the following link to register for the conference: Registration-Link

Location

Travel Route to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (TBD)

After arriving at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), you have three convenient ways to get to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University:

Airport Express + MTR (approx. 52 min): Buy an Airport Express ticket at the station counter and board the train to Tsing Yi Station. At Tsing Yi, transfer to the MTR Tung Chung Line heading towards Hong Kong and ride to Nam Cheong Station. At Nam Cheong, switch to the Tuen Ma Line bound for Wu Kai Sha and alight at Hung Hom Station. Exit the station via Exit A1 and walk about 10 minutes to the campus.

Bus (approx. 1 hr 19 min):Purchase a ticket at the Ground Transportation Centre and take Citybus route A22 towards Lam Tin Station. Get off at the Wesley Road / Gascoigne Road stop. From there, it’s about 19 minutes walk to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Taxi (approx. 40 min):Take a red (urban) taxi and ask the driver to go to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Fares typically range from HKD 250 to HKD 350, depending on traffic.

Hotel Recommendations

You can find our hotel recommendations for Hong Kong here: Travel Recommendations CIRP CATS 2026.

Sponsors

To be determined …