From August 11 to 14, 2026, the Robophilosophy Conference 2026 will take place at University College Dublin in Dublin, Ireland, under the theme „Connected Futures – Nature, Robots, and Society“. The conference will bring together researchers from philosophy, robotics, artificial intelligence, ethics, law, and the environmental and social sciences to discuss the evolving relationship between intelligent technologies, the natural world, and society. One of the conference highlights is Session 2, „Environmental Robotics and Society“, scheduled on the first day from 2:10 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. The session will open with Janko Munjić’s presentation, „Posthuman Victims in the Anthropocene: Environmental Social Robots, Layered Harm, and the Edges of Criminal Law“, which examines legal and ethical questions surrounding environmental social robots. Oliver Bendel will then present „Towards a Discipline of Animal-Machine Interaction: Ethical and Design Challenges of Machines in Animal Habitats“, exploring the emerging field of interactions between machines and animals. Catherine F. Botha’s talk, „Ecobots and Ecological Capabilities: Ethical Reflections on Robots as Functional Ecological Agents“, will consider the ethical implications of robots acting as ecological agents. The session will conclude with „Aerial Robotics in Society: Energy, Ethics, and Accountability for Sustainable Monitoring“, presented by Ghulam E. Mustafa Abro and Johanna Seibt, addressing the societal, ethical, and sustainability aspects of aerial robotic systems. For more information about the conference and the full program, please visit www.rp2026.org/.
Fig.: Oliver Bendel with a teddy bear from the HUGGIE Project (Photo: Jork Weismann)
„Wearable Social Robots sind sehr kleine und sehr leichte soziale Roboter, die um den Hals, auf dem Kopf, am Körper oder an der Kleidung bzw. an oder in einer Tasche getragen werden können. Sie sind oftmals mit entsprechenden Befestigungselementen ausgestattet, etwa Halsketten, Seilschlaufen und Metallplatten.“ Mit diesen Worten beginnt ein Beitrag von Oliver Bendel, der am 24. Juni 2026 im Gabler Wirtschaftslexikon erschienen ist. Auf weitere einführende Aussagen folgen die Abschnitte „Hintergrund und Beispiele“, „Einsatzmöglichkeiten“ und „Kritik und Ausblick“. Zu den Einsatzmöglichkeiten wird gesagt: „Wearable Social Robots dienen als Spielzeug und Lernwerkzeug oder als Companion Robot bzw. Pet Robot, wobei Kinder, Jugendliche oder Erwachsene angesprochen werden. Man kann sich von ihnen bespaßen lassen und von oder mit ihnen lernen. Sie mögen verlässliche Bezugspunkte darstellen und Stress und Einsamkeit reduzieren.“ Davor heißt es: „Beispiele für Wearable Social Robots mit festem Gehäuse sind AIBI (LivingAI) und Eiliko (Energize Lab). Ein Fell haben Moflin (Casio), Cupboo AI Robotic Pet (Genmoor Group) und Mirumi (Yukai Engineering).“ Es deutet alles darauf hin, dass in den nächsten Monaten und Jahren noch zahlreiche weitere Wearable Social Robots auf den Markt kommen. Der vollständige Beitrag kann über wirtschaftslexikon.gabler.de/definition/wearable-social-robots-177953 aufgerufen werden.
The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1–4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. This year’s conference combines cutting-edge research in social robotics with a unique focus on artistic and creative applications of robotics. One of the highlights of the conference will be the debate programme on 2 July 2026, which promises a day of lively discussions on some of the most important questions shaping social robotics, society, and the arts. The debates will explore themes ranging from education and healthcare to fashion, human-robot interaction research, and the future of the human body, bringing together researchers, practitioners, artists, and technologists from diverse backgrounds. Combining critical reflection with creative provocation, the programme encourages participants to rethink what social robots can be, what roles they might play, and how they may transform our societies in the future. And who says debates are only for humans? The programme even includes a social robot that will have the opportunity to answer back. Those interested in the full range of debate topics and participants can find further information at icsr2026.uk/debates/.
Fig.: Euclid will be there for the debate (Photo: ICSR)
The article „It Does Not Always Have to Be a Humanoid Robot: Mythomorphic Design as an Option and a Perspective“ by Oliver Bendel was published in Wiley Industry News on May 13, 2026. The philosopher of technology proposes the term „mythomorph“ to expand upon the categories of „humanoid“ and „animalid“ („zoomorph“). This allows robots such as Mirokaï, Furby, and Cozmo to be better categorized than before. From the abstract: „Social robots are often designed in a humanoid or zoomorphic manner. In addition, there are object-like designs that attempt to avoid imitation of living beings. Nevertheless, humanoid or zoomorphic features may still appear, such as human-like eyes or an animal-like tail. Less common, but clearly present, is a design perspective that can be described as mythomorphic. In this case, humans or animals do not serve, or do not directly serve, as models; instead, extraterrestrials, fantasy figures, or mythological beings are used as inspiration. This contribution first addresses what can be understood by mythomorphic design. It then collects, describes, and classifies examples of social robots that follow this approach. Subsequently, an ontological, aesthetic, and ethical discussion is conducted, with opportunities and risks identified in each case. It becomes apparent that mythomorphic design can be understood as a distinct perspective within the broader design space of social robotics.“ The article can be accessed here.
The paper „Kiss Me More: Artificial Lips for Intimate Encounters“ by Oliver Bendel has been accepted at ICSR + Art 2026. Kisses have different functions and meanings depending on culture, context, and partner; they can serve as a greeting, express gratitude, or be part of sexual interaction. When partners are separated but still wish to show affection, teledevices can offer a solution. Since 2011, several prototypes and products for remote kissing have been developed, including the Kissenger, a prototype created by Hooman Samani, to which the present work also pays tribute. Although these systems are already conceptually and technically advanced, there is still room for further development, especially with regard to intimacy and sexuality. The paper therefore formulates specific requirements and outlines possible implementations, resulting in the concept of the KissMachine, which is critically discussed with respect to its technical challenges and ethical implications. The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics will take place in London, UK, from 1–4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics.
Fig.: An illustration of the KissMachine (not part of the paper) (Image: GPT Image 2)
The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1–4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. The finalists of the ICSR 2026 Grand Challenge have now been announced, showcasing an exciting and diverse range of innovative projects from researchers, artists, and interdisciplinary teams across the globe. This year’s finalists represent institutions from Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia, reflecting the international and creative spirit of the competition. The selected teams will present their work during the first day of the conference on 1 July 2026, with the results and awards to be announced on 3 July 2026. Finalists will also have the optional opportunity to demonstrate their projects during the conference. To support participation in the competition, ICSR offers a special reduced registration rate through the Grand Challenge Competition Finalists Pass, which grants access to the full conference; at least one registration per team is required, and each attendee must hold an individual registration. Further details regarding presentations and demonstrations will be communicated directly to finalists via email. For questions related to the ICSR Grand Challenge, participants may contact Prof. Laura Fiorini at laura.fiorini@unifi.it. A full list of finalists and additional information can be found at: icsr2026.uk/competition-finalists/.
The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1–4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. As part of the conference programme, ICSR Industry Day will offer a dynamic platform connecting research and industry through a panel debate, a UKRI-led workshop, and a pitch session showcasing emerging robotics start-ups. A key highlight will be the panel discussion „There’s No Place Like Home: Exploring the Next Frontier for Social Robots“, taking place on Friday, 3 July from 2.30-4.00 pm. Bringing together leading voices from industry, the session will examine the growing interest in domestic environments as the next major market for social robotics. While companies increasingly envision robots supporting household tasks, personalised assistance, ageing-in-place, and companionship, the home presents unique challenges as a deeply personal and unpredictable setting where trust, privacy, and reliability are essential. Drawing on firsthand experience in deploying consumer robots, the panellists will discuss both the opportunities and the obstacles of integrating robots into everyday domestic life, addressing issues such as surveillance, dependency, social acceptance, and design limitations. The panel will feature Ira Renfrew, Co-Founder and Chief People Product Officer at Familiar Machines & Magic; Shunsuke Aoki, Founder of Yukai Engineering; Craig Allen, former Chief Creative Officer at Embodied (now Moxie Robots); and Samuel Ader, VP Growth & Supply at Cera (Genie Connect). The discussion will be moderated by Elizabeth Jochum. Together, the speakers will explore how thoughtful, human-centred innovation can help social robots earn a meaningful place in people’s homes and daily lives. Further information and registration details for the Industry Day panel are available at: icsr2026.uk/industry-day/.
The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1–4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. This year’s conference will feature three distinguished keynote speakers whose work is shaping the future of artificial intelligence, robotics, and human-robot interaction. Hatice Gunes, Professor of Affective Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Cambridge, is internationally recognised for her pioneering research on affective computing, multimodal intelligence, and socially aware AI systems, with a strong emphasis on ethics, fairness, and wellbeing in robotics. Jean Oh, Associate Research Professor at Carnegie Mellon University and Director of the roBot Intelligence Group, is known for her work on collaborative robots, social navigation, and creative physical AI, focusing on developing robots that learn, adapt, and work safely alongside humans in shared environments. Nicolas Heess, Research Scientist and Director at Google DeepMind, leads cutting-edge research on general-purpose robotics and embodied AI, exploring how advances in machine learning, perception, and motor control can bring intelligent robots into the physical world. Together, these keynote speakers represent the forefront of research and innovation driving the next generation of social robotics. Further information on the keynote programme is available at: icsr2026.uk/keynote/.
For the first time, students in the elective module „Social Robots“, held from March 30 to April 1, 2026 at the FHNW School of Business, were introduced by Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel to the idea that robot design is not limited to object-like, humanoid, and animal-like (zoomorphic) forms, but also includes mythomorphic design. Mythomorphic design refers to the creation of robots, especially social robots, inspired by figures from myth, fantasy, and science fiction rather than by real humans or animals. Such designs typically combine recognizable anthropomorphic features with deliberate deviations that signal otherness, for example through unusual morphology, narrative embedding, or symbolic attributes. Examples include the Mirokaï models such as Miroka and Miroki, as well as classics like Furby. Several publications by Oliver Bendel on this topic are forthcoming and will be published in 2026 and 2027.
The Robophilosophy Conference 2026 (RP2026), titled „Connected Futures – Nature, Robots, and Society“, will take place August 11-14, 2026, in Dublin, Ireland, bringing together researchers from across disciplines to examine how robotics and artificial intelligence are reshaping human societies and the natural world. As robotic systems become increasingly embedded in everyday life, the conference aims to foster dialogue between fields ranging from social robotics, computer science, and human-robot interaction to the humanities, social sciences, law, economics, and environmental research. Central questions include how robotic technologies can uphold human dignity and social justice, how legal systems must adapt to autonomous decision-making, and whether robots can contribute to sustainability rather than accelerate ecological decline. The event marks the seventh installment in the Robophilosophy conference series and features plenary speakers such as Lynne Baillie, Ryan Calo, Hideki Kajima, Arno Klein, Bertram Malle, and Shannon Vallor. Importantly, the submission deadline for research papers, posters, and artistic contributions has been extended to March 15, 2026, offering additional time for scholars and practitioners to contribute to this interdisciplinary conversation. Registration is now open, and further details are available at www.rp2026.org.
The elective module „Soziale Roboter“ by Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel will be held again from March 30 to April 1, 2026, at FHNW in Olten. It is primarily aimed at prospective business AI students, but students of information systems can also take part. Luca Marie Leisten has been invited as a guest speaker. She is a third-year doctoral student in learning sciences and human-robot interaction at ETHZ and EPFL. With a background in psychology and social sciences, Luca’s research focuses on social robot companions in the learning domain. Specifically, she is interested in investigating the barriers and opportunities of social robot deployment as well as the perception of different robots. In this context, Luca is testing the long-term effects of affordable DIY robotic toolkits using a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods. Unitree Go2, Alpha Mini, Cozmo, Vector, AIBI, Eilik, Furby, Booboo, and Hugvie from Oliver Bendel’s private Social Robots Lab will also be on site. Social Robotics Girl, a so-called GPT specializing in this topic, will be available as a tutor throughout the event. Key works include „Soziale Roboter“ (2021) and „300 Keywords Soziale Robotik“ (2021). At the end of the elective module, students design social robots – also with the help of generative AI – that they find useful, meaningful, or simply attractive. The elective module has been offered since 2021 and is very popular at the university.
The Robophilosophy Conference 2026 (RP2026), titled „Connected Futures – Nature, Robots, and Society“, will take place August 11-14, 2026, in Dublin, Ireland, bringing together researchers from across disciplines to examine how robotics and artificial intelligence are reshaping human societies and the natural world. As robotic systems become increasingly embedded in everyday life, the conference aims to foster dialogue between fields ranging from social robotics, computer science, and human-robot interaction to the humanities, social sciences, law, economics, and environmental research. Central questions include how robotic technologies can uphold human dignity and social justice, how legal systems must adapt to autonomous decision-making, and whether robots can contribute to sustainability rather than accelerate ecological decline. The event marks the seventh installment in the Robophilosophy conference series and features plenary speakers such as Lynne Baillie, Ryan Calo, Hideki Kajima, Arno Klein, Bertram Malle, and Shannon Vallor. Importantly, the submission deadline for research papers, posters, and artistic contributions has been extended to March 15, 2026, offering additional time for scholars and practitioners to contribute to this interdisciplinary conversation. Registration will open soon, and further details are available here and at www.rp2026.org.
Fig.: The poster of the conference (Image: Robophilosophy)
The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1-4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. For its 18th edition, the conference will present the special theme ICSR + Art, highlighting how robots can move beyond their conventional roles to become tools, partners, and co-creators within artistic and creative practices. At the same time, the conference remains open to the full breadth of social robotics research, including human-robot interaction, medical and assistive robotics, artificial intelligence and machine learning, ethics, design, education, and cultural applications. Accepted papers will be published in Springer’s Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence (LNAI) series and indexed in major academic databases. The conference programme will encompass regular papers, short papers, special sessions, a design and art competition, debates, the Robot Fringe live performance strand, and an Industry Day dedicated to emerging robotics and technology companies. Regular Papers for the main track must follow the submission guidelines provided on the conference website and be submitted via the Springer Meteor system by 6 March 2026. Contributions to Special Sessions should likewise follow the Regular Paper instructions and be submitted to the respective session. Short Papers must comply with the specific Short Paper guidelines and be submitted accordingly. The ICSR Design / Art Competition, proposals for debates, and submissions for the Robot Fringe live robotic performance programme are due by 15 March 2026. Early-stage robotics and technology companies wishing to showcase their work at the Industry Day may apply until 15 May 2026. Further details, submission instructions, and relevant links are available at icsr2026.uk.
The elective module „Soziale Roboter aus technischer, wirtschaftlicher und ethischer Sicht“ („Social robots from a technical, economic, and ethical perspective“) by Prof. Dr. Oliver Bendel will be held again from February 12 to 14, 2026 at the FHNW in Brugg-Windisch. It is primarily aimed at aspiring business economists, but prospective information systems specialists can also take part. Dr. Amol Deshmukh has been invited again as a guest speaker. He previously worked for the University of Glasgow and now conducts research at ETH Zurich. He will give a talk entitled „Improving Hand Hygiene in Schools with Socially Assistive Robots“. Unitree Go2, Alpha Mini, Cozmo, Vector, AIBI, Furby, Booboo, and Hugvie from Oliver Bendel’s private Social Robots Lab will also be on site. Social Robotics Girl, a so-called GPT who specializes in this topic, will be available as a tutor throughout the event. Basic works are „Soziale Roboter“ (2021) and „300 Keywords Soziale Robotik“ (2021). At the end of the elective module, students design social robots – also with the help of generative AI – that they find useful, meaningful, or simply attractive. The elective modules have been offered since 2021 and are very popular.
The article „Small Talk with a Robot Reduces Stress and Improves Mood“ by Katharina Kühne, Antonia L. Z. Klöffel, Oliver Bendel, and Martin H. Fischer was published on December 23, 2025. It is part of the volume „Social Robotics + AI: 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Naples, Italy, September 10–12, 2025, Proceedings, Part III.“ From the abstract: „Research has demonstrated that social support is crucial in mitigating stress and enhancing mood. Not only do long-term, meaningful relationships contribute to well-being, but everyday social interactions, such as small talk, also offer psychological benefits. As social robots increasingly become more integrated into daily life, they present a potential avenue for stress interventions. In our online study, 98 participants underwent a stress induction using the Stroop task and were then assigned to one of three conditions: engaging in scripted small talk with a simulated NAO robot online, listening to a neutral story told by the same NAO robot, or no intervention (control condition). Results indicate that both interventions effectively reduced stress, with a tendency towards a stronger effect in the Small talk condition. Small talk not only helped maintain positive affect but also reduced negative affect. Notably, the benefits were more pronounced among individuals experiencing higher acute stress following the stress induction, but were less evident in those with chronically elevated stress levels. Furthermore, the effect of the intervention on stress reduction was mediated by changes in positive affect. These findings suggest that small talk with a social robot may serve as a promising tool for stress reduction and affect regulation.“ The first author, a researcher from the University of Potsdam, presented the paper on September 12, 2025, in Naples. It can be downloaded from link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-95-2398-6_1.
The article „Wearable Social Robots for the Disabled and Impaired“ by Oliver Bendel was published on December 23, 2025. It is part of the volume “Social Robotics + AI: 17th International Conference, ICSR+AI 2025, Naples, Italy, September 10–12, 2025, Proceedings, Part III.“ From the abstract: „Wearable social robots can be found on a chain around the neck, on clothing, or in a shirt or jacket pocket. Due to their constant availability and responsiveness, they can support the disabled and impaired in a variety of ways and improve their lives. This article first identifies and summarizes robotic and artificial intelligence functions of wearable social robots. It then derives and categorizes areas of application. Following this, the opportunities and risks, such as those relating to privacy and intimacy, are highlighted. Overall, it emerges that wearable social robots can be useful for this group, for example, by providing care and information anywhere and at any time. However, significant improvements are still needed to overcome existing shortcomings.“ The technology philosopher presented the paper on September 12, 2025, in Naples. It can be downloaded from link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-981-95-2398-6_8.
In January 2023, the Proceedings of Robophilosophy 2022 were published. Included is the paper „Robots in Policing“ by Oliver Bendel. From the abstract: „This article is devoted to the question of how robots are used in policing and what opportunities and risks arise in social terms. It begins by briefly explaining the characteristics of modern police work. It puts service robots and social robots in relation to each other and outlines relevant disciplines. The article also lists types of robots that are and could be relevant in the present context. It then gives examples from different countries of the use of robots in police work and security services. From these, it derives the central tasks of robots in this area and their most important technical features. A discussion from social, ethical, and technical perspectives seeks to provide clarity on how robots are changing the police as a social institution and with social actions and relationships, and what challenges need to be addressed.“ (Abstract) Robots and AI systems in police work have become a hot topic. The author accepted manuscript of this article is therefore being made freely available on this site for non-commercial use only and with no derivatives, in line with the publisher’s self-archiving policy.
The Robophilosophy Conference 2026 will take place August 11–14 at University College Dublin in a hybrid format and centers on the theme „Connected Futures: Nature, Robots, and Society“. As robotics and AI become deeply embedded in human life, the conference invites researchers across disciplines to explore how autonomous systems shape society, ecology, law, labor, and human self-understanding. It raises questions about responsible design, accountability, environmental impact, social justice, cultural perspectives, and the ethics of coexistence with artificial agents. Workshop proposals are due January 16, session papers and posters February 6, with notifications in February and April and proceedings pre-submission on June 15. RP2026 aims to foster interdisciplinary dialogue that advances both technological insight and collective wisdom for a future in which humans and autonomous systems share social and ecological worlds. Further information is available at cas.au.dk/en/rpc2026.
Fig.: University College Dublin (Foto: Sharonlflynn, CC BY-SA 4.0)
A new Research Topic in Frontiers in Robotics and AI focuses on „Multimodal Social Robots for Wellbeing and Health Support“. It explores the rapidly advancing field of socially intelligent, multimodal robotic systems and is led by Ilona Buchem, John-John Cabibihan, Wafa Johal, and Oliver Bendel. The initiative brings together researchers working on multimodal interaction, affective sensing, and embodied AI to address key challenges in designing, evaluating, and deploying these systems in real-world contexts. The call welcomes original research, reviews, methods, protocols, technology reports, theoretical work, perspectives, case studies, and clinical studies, aiming to shape future standards in social robotics. Manuscript summaries are due on March 16, 2026, with full submissions accepted until June 16, 2026, and the journal will provide editorial and promotional support to strengthen the visibility and impact of the collection. Full details and submission information are available on the Research Topic page.
The 18th International Conference on Social Robotics (ICSR + Art 2026) will take place in London, UK, from 1-4 July 2026. ICSR is the leading international forum that brings together researchers, academics, and industry professionals from across disciplines to advance the field of social robotics. As part of this edition, the ICSR 2026 Competition invites visionary concepts and prototypes for social robots that collaborate, care, and connect with people beyond the laboratory. Designers, engineers, artists, researchers, and pupils or students (school, college, and university) are invited to submit projects ranging from functional solutions to artistic or hybrid works. The competition features two categories: the Robot Design Competition, focusing on innovation in functionality, interaction, and application; and the Robot Art Competition, highlighting creative fusions of fashion, art, performance, and robotics. Hybrid projects may apply to both awards. Each entry must be described in a summary of up to two pages (preferably following Springer LNAI formatting), including an abstract of no more than 50 words and sufficient detail to judge novelty and impact. A single optional video link (maximum three minutes) and images or renderings are encouraged. Submissions should indicate whether they apply for the Design Award, the Art Award, or both, and be uploaded via the competition form at: icsr2026.uk/competition/. The competition submission deadline is 1 March 2026; finalists will be notified on 15 April 2026, and winners will be announced on 3 July 2026 during the closing ceremony of ICSR 2026.
Fig.: Competitions are also held at Wembley Stadium
Wearable Social Robots sind sehr kleine und zugleich äußerst leistungsfähige Systeme, die um den Hals, am Körper oder in einer Schulter- oder Handtasche getragen werden. Sie sind nicht nur Begleiter des Menschen, sondern werden ein Teil von ihm, indem sie seine Sinne und Ausdrucksmöglichkeiten erweitern. Der Artikel mit dem Titel „Dieser Roboter steht Ihnen aber gut!“ (Untertitel „Über das Phänomen der Wearable Social Robots“) von Oliver Bendel definiert den Begriff der Wearable Social Robots, stellt Anwendungsbereiche vor und erörtert soziale sowie ethische Herausforderungen. Zudem werden Empfehlungen für Entwickler und Benutzer gegeben. Es wird deutlich, dass Wearable Social Robots neuartige Werkzeuge sowie Erweiterungen oder Verbesserungen des Menschen darstellen, deren Möglichkeiten über jene von Apps auf Smartphones hinausgehen. Der Artikel ist am 25. September 2025 in Wiley Industry News erschienen, nicht nur in deutscher, sondern auch in englischer Sprache. Er kann über www.wileyindustrynews.com/de/fachbeitraege/dieser-roboter-steht-ihnen-aber-gut bzw. www.wileyindustrynews.com/en/contributions/that-robot-suits-you-well abgerufen werden.
On September 12, 2025, Dutch FashionTech designer Anouk Wipprecht gave a keynote speech entitled „The Intersection of Fashion, Robotics and Technology“ at ICSR 2025 in Naples. In her presentation, she demonstrated how fashion can become an interactive experience that goes far beyond pure aesthetics by incorporating state-of-the-art technologies and scientific insights. With her designs, Wipprecht explores how clothing can transform not only our perception but also our relationship with the environment. A striking example of this is her Spider Dress, which uses integrated sensors and movable limbs to create a kind of technologically enhanced personal space. She collaborates with renowned partners such as Intel, Google, Microsoft, Samsung, Audi, and Swarovski, employing techniques like machine learning, biomimetic design, and microcontroller-driven animatronics. Her creations breathe, move, and respond to external stimuli – always with the aim of exploring new interfaces between humans and technology, and encouraging her generation to reflect on the future of the human body in digital space.
