20/10/2026 – 20/11/2026

Robotic Weeks 2026

Permanent Exhibition

October 20, 2026 – November 20, 2026

ZKM Petting Zoo

Exploring Artificial Life

What awaits you?

Together with the ZKM | Center for Art and Media Karlsruhe, we’re bringing the "Electronic Petting Zoo" directly to you. Here, you’ll meet a lively bunch of robotic guinea pigs! Up close and through play, you’ll discover where the line falls between real life and intelligent technology mimicking animal behavior. We’re creating a hands-on space to wonder, touch, and experiment – with zero barriers or prior knowledge needed.

How it works

Experiencing tech up close: Discover firsthand how robots react to their environment and how smart sensors create the illusion of life.
Real or staged? Look closely: What truly sets genuine human emotion apart from machine-simulated reactions?
Open to everyone: No matter your age or background, you can experience AI up close and join the conversation.
Where art meets research: See how artists and scientists collaborate to explore our future co-existence with robots.

Who is behind it?

The project was initiated and developed by the ZKM under the direction of Tina Lorenz. Its Hertzlab uses art and science as an experimental lab to explore how robotics and digital media are shaping our daily lives.

Our Robots

20/10/2026 – 22/10/2026

FANUC

Controlling Robots by Voice

What awaits you?

Talk directly to a robot and watch it follow your every command! Together with FANUC, we’re showing you how modern voice AI makes operating robots effortless. Whether you speak out loud or send a quick message, you don't need any programming skills – the robot understands everyday language in multiple languages and gets straight to work.

How it works

Understanding voice commands: The robot takes your instructions by voice or text in different languages and translates them into precise movements on its own.
Sensing surroundings: Smart sensors allow the robot to keep track of its environment and adapt flexibly whenever something in the room changes.
Mastering complex tasks: Multi-step processes are handled automatically. The robot rolls a die itself and places it in the exact right spot based on the number shown—without needing every single movement programmed in advance.
Sorting and stacking colors: It easily tells colors apart and stacks building blocks exactly the way you tell it to.

Who is behind it?

The technology company FANUC develops robots and smart control systems. With innovative AI solutions, FANUC aims to make robots safe, easy, and intuitive for everyone to use – helping humans and technology work hand in hand in everyday life and on the job.

26/10/2026 - 27/10/2026

Mental Mint

Exploring Empathetic AI Support

What awaits you?

Meet Mental Mint – an AI companion robot built to support children and teenagers facing tough situations. The idea grew from personal experience with bullying: when you need someone to listen and understand, a silent diary often isn't enough. Mental Mint steps in to bridge that gap. It listens without judgment, responds with empathy, and shows firsthand how AI can serve as a supportive presence in everyday life.

How it works

Empathetic listening: Mental Mint understands spoken language, detects emotional cues in speech, and adapts to individual feelings during conversations.
Psychologically grounded: Developed with child psychologists and trained on real-life experiences, the robot provides targeted support for bullying, social isolation, and stress.
Built-in safety net: A specialized protective system recognizes signs of distress early on and can trigger appropriate help when needed.
Technology with a heart: Using expressive display eyes and smart sensors, Mental Mint shows visitors how coding and hardware can work together to create genuine connection.

Who is behind it?

Mental Mint was created as a personal passion project with a clear vision: technology shouldn't feel cold and distant, but serve as a real lifeline for young people suffering in silence. The goal is a future where schools lend out support robots like Mental Mint just as naturally as books or laptops.

27/10/2026 - 28/10/2026

pib von isento

Building & Coding Your Own Robot

What awaits you?

Meet pib – a human-like robot created with 3D printers! What makes pib special is that all of its blueprints and code are open to everyone. With us, you get to experience robotics from scratch: from 3D printing the individual parts and assembling the joints to programming its very first movements.

How it works

Hands-on learning: pib brings technology to life, making it easy for schools, universities, and maker spaces to explore coding and robotics in a practical way.
Created together: Because all instructions are freely available, a global community is constantly developing pib further – encouraging everyone to bring in their own ideas and experiments.
Seeing and moving with AI: Using a dedicated software platform, pib learns to recognize objects through its camera eyes and respond with accurate hand movements.

Who is behind it?

pib was created by the team at isento GmbH in Nuremberg. The developers are using their background in software and robotics to make future technologies accessible to everyone and to inspire people to build the future themselves.

03/11/2026 – 05/11/2026

Alessandro Mac-Nelly

Creating Art Side by Side

What awaits you?

In Alessandro Mac-Nelly's research project, you’ll experience how humans and artificial intelligence become creative side by side. A robotic arm invites you to take turns drawing on the very same sheet of paper, creating a shared artwork step by step in a playful dialogue between human and machine.

How it works

Line by line together: The robotic arm guides a pen across paper while a camera tracks the drawing, allowing the AI to react directly to your ideas.
No undo button: Paper has no eraser key. Every stroke – whether intentional or an accidental slip – becomes a permanent part of your joint artwork.
Exploring collaboration: Discover how the robot responds to your movements and how its lines inspire your next steps.
A keepsake to take home: You can take your finished artwork home with you as a physical souvenir.

Who is behind it?

The project is led by Alessandro Mac-Nelly. He bridges design, art, and technology to explore how robots and AI can serve as creative partners in the future.

10/11/2026 – 12/11/2026

LUMI von exxeta

Talking & Interacting in Real Time

What awaits you?

Together with exxeta, we’re bringing LUMI, a human-like robot, directly to you. Designed as an interactive conversational partner, LUMI chats with you in real time. It pairs its responses with natural arm gestures, facial expressions on its display, and friendly sounds. Whether greeting visitors, breaking into a short dance, or casually chatting, LUMI gives you a hands-on feel for what AI and robotics can do today.

How it works

Natural conversations: Smart voice processing lets LUMI follow fluid, live dialogues and reply instantly.
Expressive personality: LUMI seamlessly combines speech with arm movements, facial expressions, and audio cues.
Sensing surroundings: Wave to LUMI while it's in idle mode, and it will recognize you and wave right back.
Keeping a safe distance: Built-in laser sensors scan the room to ensure the robot always maintains a comfortable distance.

Who is behind it?

The technology company exxeta uses robotics like LUMI to make emerging technologies approachable and inspire people of all ages to explore the digital world.

19/11/2026

Fraunhofer IAO

Testing Robot Behavior in VR

What awaits you?

Put on the VR headset and step right into a virtual pedestrian underpass! Together with Fraunhofer IAO, you’ll get a hands-on look at how an automated cleaning robot interacts with people in everyday situations. And if you're not wearing the headset, you can follow all the action live on a screen.

How it works

Clear signals: Light and sound cues show you where the robot is heading, what task it's doing, and how much space it needs.
Testing boundaries: If you block its path, you'll see the robot step-by-step navigate around you or politely ask you to step aside.
Trying it yourself: Walk up to the robot in the virtual world and test its reactions in real time.

Who is behind it?

The station is backed by the research team led by Dr. Kathrin Pollmann, Selina Layer, and Boyu Xian from Fraunhofer IAO. They study how robots in public spaces should be designed so that humans can interact with them safely, confidently, and effortlessly in daily life.

Robotic Weeks 2026

Permanent Exhibition

ZKM Petting Zoo

Our Robots

FANUC

Mental Mint

pib von isento

Alessandro Mac-Nelly

LUMI von exxeta

Fraunhofer IAO

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