MIPRO, as the coordinator of the MULTISTEM project, in cooperation with partners - the Ruđer Bošković Institute and the Croatian Academy of Engineering - is organizing a timely discussion intended for the professional and young population on the emergence of a new social ecosystem with expanded STEM characteristics.

The goal is to provide insight into future development trends in Croatia by involving the academic community, experts, and young people, and to offer guidance to younger generations in choosing a profession.

The humanoid robotics revolution

Humanoid robotics is on the verge of a transformative global impact. Thanks to the accelerated development of artificial intelligence, materials science, and sensor technologies, humanoid robots are rapidly evolving from laboratory prototypes into practical collaborators in healthcare, hospitality, industrial manufacturing, and public services. Industry forecasts indicate that the global humanoid robotics market will exceed a value of 30 billion euros by 2035, driven by an aging population, chronic labor shortages, and growing demand for human-centered automation solutions.

The European Union has positioned itself as a global leader in the development of trustworthy and human-centered artificial intelligence and robotics through strategic initiatives such as the EU AI Act, the European robotics strategy, and the Horizon Europe funding program. These regulatory and financial frameworks emphasize safety, transparency, and social benefit, values that are aligned with the concept of humanoid robotics whose purpose is to extend human capabilities rather than replace them.

For Croatia and the wider Adriatic-Central European region, humanoid robotics represents an exceptional development opportunity. A strong tradition in engineering, computing, and applied artificial intelligence research, along with the development of technology clusters and innovation ecosystems, creates the foundations for research excellence and commercial application. Tourist-oriented economies in particular, such as Croatia's, can benefit from intelligent service robots that enhance the user experience while at the same time alleviating seasonal and structural challenges in the labor market.

Croatian-Slovenian partnership

In January 2026, Vandri Robotics (Slovenia) and Croatian institutions established a strategic collaboration in the field of humanoid robotics research and development. The partnership brings together Vandri Robotics' expertise in developing artificial intelligence for humanoid systems and their commercial application.

The central initiative of this collaboration is the HARIS project (Humanoid Adaptive Reasoning and Interaction System). The HARIS project addresses one of the key challenges of service robotics: intuitive and transparent understanding of interaction between robots and people in dynamic, multi-user environments. In busy and multilingual spaces, such as hotel receptions, users must at all times clearly recognize whether the robot is listening to them, whom it is addressing, what its intentions are, and how they should respond.

HARIS is developing an intelligent communication core that integrates spatially adaptive sound, visual status indicators, and context-aware reasoning. The system was validated in a real operational environment through a pilot implementation in Liburnia Riviera hotels in Croatia, confirming its applicability in real service industry conditions.

Discussion objectives

With the aim of opening dialogue, encouraging cooperation, and catalyzing research and business partnerships between private and public organizations in Croatia and beyond, this inaugural conference is being organized. Participants will explore:

• The transformative potential of humanoid robotics for industry, services, and society
• State-of-the-art solutions and new technologies in the field
• Concrete activities that are already underway and future plans in Croatia, the EU, and globally
• Guidance for younger generations in choosing a profession. STEM orientation
• Practical demonstrations with Tonka, the first humanoid robot in Croatia, and the Vandri Robotics HRaaS platform

Time and venue:

25 February 2026, 09:00 to 13:00 CET - Ruđer Bošković Institute, Zagreb, Croatia

Organizers:

Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Informatics and Computing (within the EuroCC2 and MULTISTEM projects) and Vandri Robotics in cooperation with the Association of Multitasking Managers Business Club and partners.

Discussion program

• 09:00 - 09:15 - Opening, welcome speeches
  • Dr. Karolj Skala, IRB scientific advisor
  • Tadej Slapnik, director, Vandri Robotics
  • Robert Kuščar, president, Association of Multitasking Managers Business Club

• 09:15 - 09:45 - Panel I: Humanoid robots and multimodal intelligence
  • Academician Bojan Jerbić, HAZU

• 09:45 - 10:15 - Panel II: Autonomous robotic systems, just a few more years for us?
  • Prof. Dr. Stjepan Bogdan, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing

• 10:15 - 10:30 Panel III: Humanoid robots and the AI robot network as infrastructure or a new species
  • Academician Karolj Skala, Ruđer Bošković Institute, Center for Informatics and Computing

• 10:30 - 10:40 - Break
  • Coffee break

• 10:40 - 10:55 Presentation I: The first humanoid robotics center in Europe
  • Anamarija Blažević, Member of Parliament
  • Tomislav Nović, mayor of the City of Pakrac
  • Mario Čelan, Educatorium

• 10:55 - 11:10 - Presentation II: The economic perspective of humanoid robots
  • Tadej Slapnik, director, Vandri Robotics

• 11:10 - 11:20 - Presentation III: Presentation of the 5th conference Robot technologies and applications
  • Drone demo convoy, Zadar, 10 to 13 September 2026
  • Prof. Dr. Marko Valčić, University of Zadar

• 11:20 - 12:00 - Round table: Humanoid robotics, opportunities, challenges, and the way forward
  • Interactive panel discussion on research priorities, industrial applications, regulatory frameworks, and cooperation opportunities, with audience participation.
  • Panelists:
    • Academician Bojan Jerbić, HAZU
    • Prof. Dr. Stjepan Bogdan, University of Zagreb, Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing
    • Krešimir Sever, head of the Office for Social Partnership of the Republic of Croatia
    • Mario Čelan, Educatorium
    • Ivana Kolar, mag. oec., senior lecturer, vice president, Association of Multitasking Managers Business Club
    • Prof. Dr. Marko Valčić, University of Zadar
  • Moderators:
    • Tadej Slapnik and Prof. Zorislav Šojat

• 12:00 - 12:05 - Break
  • Short break

• 12:05 - 12:45 - Practical workshop: Humanoid robots in action
  • Live demonstration and hands-on experience with Tonka, pioneering humanoid robotics in Croatia.
  • Led by the expert team of Vandri Robotics:
    • Luka Slapnik, Amadej Pozelnik, Dejan Iličić, Miha Golčer
  • Workshop content:
    • Live demonstration of Tonka's capabilities and functionalities
    • Behind the scenes: development of the Vandri Robotics HRaaS platform
    • Questions and answers: technical details with the engineering team

• 12:45 - 13:00 - Networking and closing
  • Informal gathering with light refreshments. An opportunity to connect with fellow researchers, industry experts, and potential cooperation partners.

Registration and information

Participation is free of charge. Prior registration is required here.

Venue: Ruđer Bošković Institute, Bijenička cesta 54, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia

Contact: info@vandri.ai

As part of the MULTISTEM project implemented within the STEM program of the Foundation for the Development of Civil Society, high school students are invited to apply for the workshop.

Drop by IRB on 25.2.2026.