ACI 2026: Two Months to Go

With just over two months to go, preparations for the thirteenth edition of the Animal-Computer Interaction International Conference (ACI 2026) are entering their final phase. The conference will take place from December 2 to 5, 2026, at the FHNW Campus Brugg-Windisch in Switzerland – the first ACI conference to be held in continental Europe. Participants can still benefit from the Early-Bird registration rate until September 30, 2026. Researchers and practitioners interested in Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI), Animal-Machine Interaction (AMI), animal welfare, robotics, interaction design, and related fields are encouraged to register soon. ACI 2026 is pleased to receive support from the City of Brugg, the Municipality of Windisch, and Rehkitzrettung Schweiz. Their involvement underlines the strong connection between the international conference and its host region. Rehkitzrettung Schweiz will also be present at the conference. The organization’s work is particularly relevant to this year’s focus on Animal-Machine Interaction. Its activities demonstrate in a very concrete way how humans, animals, and machines can interact for the benefit of animals: drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras are used to locate young deer hidden in fields before agricultural mowing takes place, helping to prevent injuries and deaths. This practical application provides an excellent example of questions at the heart of ACI 2026: How can technologies and autonomous systems interact with animals and their environments? How can such systems support animal welfare? And how should they be designed and deployed responsibly? Further information on registration, the program, workshops, and participation is available on the ACI 2026 website.

Fig.: The Haller Building on the FHNW Brugg-Windisch Campus