ISARC comes to Denmark for the first time – in the heart of Odense’s technology growth hub
Odense has just been selected as the host city for the world’s leading conference on automation and robotics in construction. The event will unfold when the 44th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction (ISARC) takes place in the summer of 2027.
“This is fantastic news – the world’s elite in construction robotics is coming to Odense. ISARC 2027 is not just a conference – it is recognition of Odense’s position as a global powerhouse for technology and innovation. Hosting ISARC 2027 in Odense once again underlines that the world is looking our way when it comes to robotics and automation. It supports our clear vision of being at the centre of a movement where people work with robots – not as robots,” says Peter Rahbæk Juel, Mayor of Odense.
The decision was made at a recent board meeting of IAARC (The International Association for Automation and Robotics in Construction) in Montreal, Canada – and this is the first time the conference will be held in the Nordic region.
“Odense has developed into one of Europe’s most prominent hubs for robotics. With strong research environments and close ties to industry, the city is an obvious choice for gathering the world’s elite in construction robotics. We look forward to visiting the city with ISARC 2027,” says Ioannis Brilakis, President of IAARC.
“This is a huge recognition of Odense’s position as an international hub for robotics and green innovation in construction. We look forward to welcoming the world to a city where global ambitions meet strong local solutions,” says Professor Christian Schlette from the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), who led the conference bid.
A Strong Partnership Behind the Bid
The successful bid is the result of a broad and strategic collaboration between the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), Odense Municipality, Invest in Odense, Odense Robotics, Odense Port, DTU, OTH Regensburg and Destination Fyn.
A special focus of the 2027 conference will be the world’s largest robotics centre for large structures, which will open at Odense Port in 2026. Anchored in SDU’s Center for Large Structure Production, the centre will host demonstration projects, workshops and international networking activities in connection with the conference.
The partnership behind attracting the conference also underlines Odense’s ambition to become a leading conference city. At the intersection between the tourism industry, knowledge institutions and private business, the city creates the framework for giving business visitors a truly unique experience.
“It is gratifying to see how the daily work to attract international conferences is bearing fruit. ISARC 2027 is a concrete result of the persistent collaboration we have with the municipality, knowledge environments and business. This helps us develop as people, as a city, and as a stronghold,” says Kent Kordt Röder, Head of Convention, Destination Fyn.
A Conference with Global Reach
ISARC annually gathers researchers, companies and decision-makers from around the world, and the themes range widely:
From artificial intelligence, digital construction site logistics and automation to sustainability and data-driven solutions for the construction of the future.
The conference is conservatively expected to attract around 300 highly specialised participants from both research and industry, but the potential is greater.
Odense Robotics also welcomes the news:
“ISARC 2027 is an important opportunity to showcase Denmark’s strengths in robotics. We look forward to gathering research and industry partners from across the globe in Odense and strengthening international connections,” says Søren Elmer Kristensen, CEO, Odense Robotics.
The conference will not only be a professional milestone – but also a lever for further investment, international exposure and new collaborations across industry and research environments.
Facts – International Robotics Conferences Attracted to Odense
2024 – Week of Robotics
- ROSCon
- ICSR – International Conference on Social Robotics
- ROS Industrial
2023
- European Robotics Forum
Facts – Odense’s Robotics Cluster
Over €1 billion invested in the city’s robotics companies
160+ robotics, automation and drone companies with 3,600 employees on Funen
World’s first commercially viable collaborative robot invented here
Globally recognised as the capital of cobots