Physical AI After Hours · IROS Pittsburgh

​Physical AI After Hours — IROS Edition

​Robots. Drinks. Real conversations.

​Join Circuit Launch × AXIS Connect for an invite-only evening during IROS 2026 in Pittsburgh, bringing together researchers, builders, and the robotics community for paper talks, a live robot demo, and open conversation.

​Rather than another formal conference session, Physical AI After Hours is designed as a more intimate gathering around the work shaping the next generation of robotics: research, real hardware, and the people building it.

​

​Carnegie Mellon University — Robotics Innovation Center
Hazelwood Green · Pittsburgh, PA

​Tuesday, September 29, 2026

​6:30 PM – 9:00 PMSpeakers

​Prof. Mark Cutkosky
Fletcher Jones Professor, Stanford University

​Prof. Rika Antonova
Associate Professor, University of Cambridge · CamRAL Lab

​Xiaomeng Xu
PhD Candidate, Stanford University · REAL Lab
Research Intern, Amazon FAR

​Dr. Shihan Lu
Postdoc, Northwestern University · HAND-ERC PhD, USC · Manipulation, tactile sensing, haptics

​Co-Hosts

​Dr. Hao Li
Cofounder, NIMO Robotics
Stanford Robotics PhD (BDML) · Postdoctoral Scholar (REAL Lab)

​Eva Xiao
Founder & CEO, AXIS Connect
Head of Asia, Circuit Launch

​Live Robot Demo

​ROKAE

​A live hardware demonstration and walkthrough, followed by an opportunity to see the robot up close and speak directly with the team.

​Agenda

​6:30 PM — Doors Open
Check-in, drinks, and arrival.

​6:45 PM — Take Your Seats

​6:50 PM — Welcome
Opening remarks, partner acknowledgements, and evening overview.

​6:55 PM — Paper Session
Three research presentations, approximately 10 minutes each with brief Q&A:

• ​Prof. Mark Cutkosky

• ​Prof. Rika Antonova

• ​Xiaomeng Xu

​7:25 PM — ROKAE Live Demo
20-minute live robot demonstration and technical walkthrough.

​7:45 PM — Demo Q&A + Up-Close Viewing

​7:50 PM — Open Hang
Drinks, conversations, and informal networking with researchers, founders, engineers, investors, and robotics builders.

​9:00 PM — Close

​Who Should Join

​This evening is for people building, researching, investing in, or deploying Physical AI and robotics — including researchers, founders, engineers, investors, ecosystem partners, and industry operators attending IROS.

​Come for the papers. Stay for the robot. Meet the people behind the work.

​Hosts

​Circuit Launch × AXIS Connect

​Ecosystem Partners

​NIMO Robotics · Xirius

​Attendance is limited and by invitation.