Robophilosophy 2026 kicked off on August 11, 2026, at University College Dublin (UCD) in Dublin, Ireland. Held under the theme „Connected Futures – Nature, Robots, and Society“, the conference runs from August 11–14 and brings together researchers from a wide range of disciplines to explore how robotics and artificial intelligence are transforming human societies and the natural world. On the first day, Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel from the FHNW School of Business presented his paper „Towards a Discipline of Animal-Machine Interaction: Ethical and Design Challenges of Machines in Animal Habitats“ in the session „Environmental Robotics and Society“. From the abstract: „As autonomous and semi-autonomous machines such as robots and drones increasingly enter animal habitats, new ethical and conceptual challenges emerge. This article proposes animal-machine interaction (AMI) as a distinct discipline concerned with the design and governance of technologies operating in relation to animals. After clarifying core concepts and delineating AMI from related fields, the article highlights the role of machine ethics in developing animal-friendly systems. Selected application examples illustrate how machines can reduce negative impacts on animals and, in some cases, support animal survival through animal-friendly design. The ethical discussion addresses both opportunities and risks of technological intervention in animal habitats. It is becoming clear that AMI is an increasingly important field of research, but one that must remain open to critical reflection and reorientation.“ The proceedings, containing all conference papers, will be available in late 2026. For those who don’t want to wait: Oliver Bendel recently published a short book on animal-machine interaction with Springer.

Fig.: 8 of these 14 projects were presented