2nd Workshop on Robust Machine Intelligence for Factory Automation

Continuing the series: This is the second edition of the workshop, following the success of the inaugural workshop at IEEE CASE 2025, which was the most popular workshop by attendees.

View 2025 Workshop

Workshop Goals

AI-driven systems are increasingly being integrated into manufacturing processes, enhancing efficiency, precision, and adaptability. However, the complexity and variability of factory environments pose significant challenges to the robustness and reliability of these intelligent systems. By focusing on robust machine intelligence, this workshop aims to bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI advancements and practical, real-world applications in factory automation.

Enhance Understanding of Robust Machine Intelligence: Provide participants with a comprehensive understanding of robust machine intelligence and its critical role in factory automation.
Explore Advanced Techniques: Discuss advanced techniques and methodologies for developing robust machine intelligence systems that can handle the complexities and uncertainties of factory environments.
Promote Practical Applications: Showcase real-world applications and case studies, demonstrating the successful implementation of robust machine intelligence in factory automation.
Foster Collaboration: Encourage collaboration and knowledge exchange among researchers, practitioners, and industry leaders to drive innovation and address challenges in factory automation.
Identify Future Directions: Identify key research gaps and future directions for robust machine intelligence in factory automation, aiming to inspire new research and development initiatives.

Why This Workshop

Machine learning is significantly transforming not only how we live but also how we create. Factories, traditionally perceived as dangerous, dirty, and dull environments, are now facing unprecedented opportunities. Physical sensors, machines, factory automation systems, and production networks all stand to benefit from the unique capabilities of advanced machine learning techniques. This integration will enable future factories to develop autonomous sensing, reasoning, memory, and collaboration capabilities—allowing them to produce in more sustainable, resilient, and human-friendly ways.

This vision will fundamentally impact future jobs and tasks in manufacturing environments and reshape the form and human interaction mechanisms of factory machines and systems. However, the exact manifestation of these changes remains uncertain and requires imagination to fully envision.

From the AI side, despite isolated breakthroughs in areas like generative AI and computer vision, we haven't yet witnessed strong breakthroughs in physical AI or embodied intelligence. AI and machine learning algorithms operating in mission-critical factory environments—such as precision machines, industrial robots, and factory control systems—face significantly unique performance expectations. Currently, we are not discussing the adoption of existing AI advancements in factory automation; rather, we are at the preliminary stage of properly defining how physical AI should behave and to what expectations.

Considering this critical juncture, we are organizing this workshop to share the latest developments in machine learning for factory automation through keynotes and lightning talks, showcase innovative ideas, and, most importantly, discuss future research agendas via facilitated roundtable discussions. This workshop is jointly organized by IEEE RAS Automation Cluster, IEEE TC on Digital Manufacturing and Human-centered Automation, and IEEE RAS TC on Machine Learning for Automation.

Format

A one-day workshop on the first day of IEEE CASE 2026 (17th August). The workshop includes the following activities:

Invited Talks

Leading experts providing an overview of the latest research trends in robust machine intelligence for factory automation.

Lightning Talks

Short and fun sharing of technological advancements from early-to-mid career researchers.

Tech Tasters Session

Interactive conversation session with technology showcase from submissions, via poster, physical prototype display, and digital system demonstration.

Facilitated Discussion

Identify key challenges and opportunities in developing robust machine intelligence technologies towards factories of the future, and outline potential collaborative initiatives.