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!
(Dis)assembly Process Optimization
Embodied Systems for (Dis)assembly
Human–Machine Collaborative (Dis)assembly
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)
Franz DIETRICH (Technische Universität Berlin)
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)
The detailed programme and further information on the conference locations are be found in CIRP Conference Handbook.
You can search for paper’s presentation time and venue on the Paper Finder Page, and you can also download the Full Conference Paper Schedule.
Kungliga Tekniska högskolan, Sweden
Technische Universität Berlin, Germany
HUN-REN SZTAKI, Hungary
Huazhong University of Science & Technology, China
Fuyao University of Science and Technology, China
Great Bay University, China
Call for papers
Abstract submission deadline
[Updated!] Abstract submission deadline
[Updated!] Notification of abstract acceptance
[Extended!] Full paper submission deadline
Notification of full paper review result
Final paper submission deadline
Early bird registration deadline
Online registration deadline
Onsite Conference
20 August 2025
15 October 2025
31 October 2025
31 October 2025
12 December 2025
10 January 2026
12 February 2026
10 March 2026
15 April 2026
27 – 30 April 2026
Abstract submission
Abstract Size Limit: max. 2000 words (excluding title, author names and affiliations)
To submit an abstract to CIRP CATS 2026, please click the button below and complete the submission in the submission system.
When submitting your abstract, please pay attention to the following section:
Abstract Submission Now is Closed.
Full paper submission
The paper should be submitted within 6 pages by strictly following the CIRP template (see Information and Templates below). Do not alter the formatting or layout defined in the template. Acceptable source file formats are doc, docx, or LaTeX. For submission, you are required to upload both the manuscript file and a PDF version of the manuscript.
You can use the button below to submit your abstract or full paper.
Paper Submission Now is Closed.
Information and Templates:
Slide submission
Please upload your slides and name the file in the format: FULL NAME – PAPER ID. The slide template can be downloaded here.
If you want to update your slides, please name the file in the format and upload it again: FULL NAME – PAPER ID – v2. Follow the same naming pattern for subsequent versions.
Information for the presentation:
| Until 9. March 2026 | From 10. March 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Staff | 6500 HKD | 7500 HKD |
| Student | 5000 HKD | 6000 HKD |
| Please use the following link to register for the conference: Registration-Link | ||
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.
You can find our hotel recommendations for Hong Kong here: Hotel Recommendations CIRP CATS 2026.
Lab Visit
Date: 30 April
Time: 9:00 AM
Meeting Point: PolyU University Square
Venue: Human-Machine Symbiotic Design & Manufacturing Centre (HMS-DMC), State Key Laboratory of Ultra-precision Machining Technology (SKL-UPMT), and Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Lab (AIR Lab).
Duration: Approximately 2 hours
City Tour
Date: 30 April
Time: 1:45 PM
Meeting Point: PolyU Main Entrance
Duration: Approximately 4 hours
An afternoon city tour of Hong Kong will be arranged by coach.
Remarks: The actual route and schedule are subject to real-time traffic conditions on the day. If it rains, the event will be canceled.
Priority will be given to participants who registered for both activities between 8 and 10 April via the online registration questionnaire. Registered participants who are unable to attend are kindly requested to inform the conference staff in advance.
Limited spaces may also be available for unregistered participants. Please contact the conference staff on site. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
