Staer, a Swedish robotics startup, is organizing a dedicated conference focused on the intersection of robotics and physical artificial intelligence. The event, called Autonomy, will take place on September 14, 2026 in Malmö, positioned strategically between two major regional gatherings in the deeptech calendar.
Bridging Key Conferences and Communities
The one-day conference is being organized in collaboration with The Drop, a regional innovation hub. By scheduling Autonomy between ECCV 2026—a major computer vision conference—and The Drop conference, organizers aim to create a convergence point for the Öresund region’s rapidly developing deeptech ecosystem. This timing and positioning reflect an intentional strategy to capture the attention of researchers, innovators, investors, and industry professionals already gathered in the region.
Jan-Erik Solem, expressing his outlook on the initiative, noted that he is “very excited about this”—capturing the enthusiasm behind what organizers view as a timely addition to Europe’s robotics conference circuit.
Targeting Growth in Physical AI
The conference represents a growing recognition of physical AI and robotics as a distinct sector requiring its own dedicated platforms. Rather than being a secondary track at larger technology conferences, Autonomy aims to position robotics and physical intelligence as central topics worthy of concentrated attention and discussion.
The event will bring together multiple stakeholder groups from the robotics and physical AI space. Researchers working on foundational technologies will have the opportunity to present alongside industry practitioners developing commercial applications. Investors interested in the sector can connect directly with innovators, while established players can explore emerging trends and potential partnerships.
Malmö’s selection as the host city reflects the city’s growing importance as a deeptech hub within Northern Europe. The Öresund region, spanning the border between Sweden and Denmark, has developed a reputation for innovation in robotics and related fields, making it a natural location for such an event.
European Deeptech Landscape
The establishment of Autonomy reflects broader momentum in Europe’s robotics and physical AI sectors. While the continent has historically lagged North America in some technology verticals, robotics and deeptech have emerged as areas where European researchers and entrepreneurs maintain significant competitive advantages. Events like Autonomy serve as important gathering points for this ecosystem, facilitating knowledge exchange and investment flows.
With major computer vision research happening at ECCV and innovation-focused discussions at The Drop, the addition of Autonomy to the September 2026 calendar creates a particularly dense period for deeptech activity in the region. For startups, researchers, and investors tracking European robotics developments, the Malmö conferences represent a significant opportunity for engagement with the continent’s leading initiatives in physical AI and autonomous systems.
More details about the conference are available at autonomyconf.com.