We are hosing our annual Robotics and AI Symposium (RAIS2026) on October 14, 2026. The format this year will be different than prior years. We are coordinating with the Queen's Partnerships and Innovation office, the Dunin-Deshpande Innovation Centre, and the Kingston Economic Development Corporation in the Kingston Innovation Week by combining multiple events together. It should be a fun week showcasing great innovation here in Kingston, Ontario.
RAIS2026 is partnering with Mitacs and Launch Lab, our Regional Innovation Centre, for a great day featuring multiple short talks by our Faculty Members, industry collaborators, and regional startups.
Agenda
| School of Kinesiology and Health Sciences, Room 100 | |
| 08:30am - 09:00am | Registration and Coffee |
| 09:00am - 09:15am | Opening Remarks |
| 09:15am - 10:00am | Session on Robotics |
| 10:00am - 10:15am | Coffee Break |
| 10:15am - 11:00am | Session on Artificial Intelligence |
| 11:0am - 11:15am | Coffee Break |
| 11:15am - 12:00pm | Session on Human-Machine Interaction |
| Mitchell Hall, Room 395 | |
| 12:00pm - 01:30pm | Lunch and Networking Poster Session and Research Demonstrations |
| 01:30pm - 03:00pm | Launch Lab’s RISE (Regional Investor Summit Experience) A pitch event featuring regional robotics and AI startups. |
| 03:00pm - 03:15pm | Awards and Closing Remarks |
| 03:15pm - 05:30pm | Reception |
Session on Robotics
Our robotics session will feature alternating short talks by academic and industry leaders showcasing the amazing work that they are doing in applying robotics to different areas.
Academic Speakers
Industry Speakers
Coming Soon !
Session on Artificial Intelligence
Our artificial intelligence session will also feature alternating short talks by academic and industry leaders showcasing the amazing work that they are doing with AI in healthcare and legal applications.
Academic Speakers
Industry Speakers
Coming Soon !
Session on Human-Machine Interaction
Our human-machine interaction session will also feature alternating short talks by academic and industry leaders showcasing the amazing work that they are doing with interactions between robots and humans. This will include work on exoskeletons, robotic manipulators, and a variety of input devices.
Academic Speakers
Industry Speakers
Coming Soon !
Regional Investor Summit Experience
This year we are collaborating with Launch Lab, our regional innovation centre, on hosting a RISE 2026 pitch competition for robotics or AI based startups that are seeking pre-seed or seed rounds of investments. Launch Lab supports entrepreneurs at every stage of growth through expert advisors, tailored programs, strategic connections, and access to resources that help businesses thrive. They are providing a $10,000 prize for the winning startup pitch!
Pitch Competition Judges
This session will feature 5 to 6 regional startups who are utilizing robotic and AI technologies in different application areas. Join us to hear their exciting stories and learn about their unique solutions to challenging problems!
RISE Series Sponsors
Arcade IP & Business Law
Arcade is a business & intellectual property law firm helping companies protect, scale, and enforce what makes them valuable. Play smart. Play to win.
Kingston Economic Development Corporation Helix Funding
The Kingston Economic Development Helix funding program provides life sciences companies with funds from $10,000 to $100,000 and access to specialized facilities, equipment, services, and business support.
- $10k – $100k in funding
- 20+ industry partner Validation Network
- BSL-2 wet lab Space
- Build2Scale Life Science Program
Nicholas Dettinger Co-operators
As a leading Canadian financial services co-operative, Co-operators offers multi-line insurance and wealth products, services, and advice to build financial strength and security. We provide financial solutions and security through property and casualty (P&C) insurance, life insurance, wealth management, institutional asset management and brokerage operations.
Seguin Financial
Hand us your bookkeeping to-do list! We're here to take over those responsibilities including monthly financials, GST/HST reporting, accounts payable, and more.
SOFII
The Southern Ontario Fund for Investment in Innovation (SOFII) loan program supports high-growth, innovative small and medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) in rural and urban communities by offering loans of $150,000 to $500,000 to support all aspects of growth challenges facing them. Funded in part by FedDev Ontario, SOFII empowers innovation in southern Ontario.