The use of social robots in therapy and education is rapidly evolving as these ‘new friends’ become increasingly sophisticated, accessible, and affordable. In recent years, there has been significant growth in successful projects involving social robots for individuals with special needs, including people with dementia, hospitalized children, and children with autism. This progress has created a rising demand for expertise across multiple disciplines—psychology, nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, AI, robotics, and education—to bridge technical advancements with therapeutic and educational practice.
To support this development, the international and multidisciplinary New Friends Conference 2025 brings together researchers, professionals, developers, and students from diverse backgrounds in health, social welfare, education, AI, social robotics, ICT, and industry.
The conference will feature keynote talks, oral and poster presentations, product and business demonstrations, competitions, and hands-on workshops, covering:
IMPORTANT DATES
Bridging the Gaps Between Different Worlds: A Legal and Ethical Approach to Assistive Robots – Risks and Solutions
This workshop invites motivated and open-minded researchers from all areas of robotics and related disciplines. Whether participants come from leading universities or small research groups, whether they are PhD students or senior faculty, or whether they work in the private sector or public healthcare—anyone with an interest in the legal, ethical, and societal dimensions of robotics is warmly welcomed.
The workshop aims to bring together diverse communities to identify emerging problems, challenges, and risks in specific domains of assistive robotics, including personal care, therapeutic, and companion robots. Through this shared exploration, participants will engage in cross-disciplinary discussions both within and across expert groups.
For instance, privacy is a major concern for the legal community, yet roboticists may view it through the lens of proxemics and personal space rather than data protection. Similarly, while loneliness and age-related depression are critical issues for older adults, socially assistive technologies may offer meaningful ways to reduce isolation and enhance emotional well-being.
To foster rich dialogue, we welcome participation from the following communities:
Important Dates
Join us at New Friends – The International Conference on Social Robotics and position your brand at the forefront of one of the fastest-growing fields in technology, healthcare, and education. As social robots become integral to therapy, learning, eldercare, and daily life, this conference brings together global leaders shaping the future of human–robot interaction.
By becoming a Sponsor or Exhibitor, your organization gains direct access to researchers, innovators, clinicians, policymakers, educators, and industry professionals who are driving advancements in socially assistive robotics.
✔ Unmatched Visibility
Showcase your products, services, and innovations to audience deeply engaged in robotics, AI, healthcare, special needs education, and emerging technologies.
✔ Direct Engagement
Connect directly with decision-makers, early adopters, developers, academics, and practitioners from India and abroad who are actively seeking solutions, collaborations, and new technologies.
✔ Brand Leadership
Highlight your commitment to advancing responsible, ethical, and impactful social robotics.
✔ Recruitment & Talent Access
Meet top researchers, students, and engineers from leading institutions across the world.
✔ Networking with Global Experts
Engage with multidisciplinary professionals from fields including robotics, AI, psychology, therapy, nursing, engineering, design, HRI, and more.
We offer a range of sponsorship packages designed to maximise exposure and value:
Each package includes logo visibility, branding opportunities, exhibition space, and special recognition during the event.
Custom sponsorship packages can also be created based on your goals.
Showcase your technology, prototypes, commercial products, research demos, or services to an engaged and diverse audience.
Exhibitors receive:
Whether you are a robotics company, startup, research lab, healthcare organization, or educational institution—this is the ideal platform to present your innovations.
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