RoboCafé: The Robot That Joined the Circus

What do you get when a circus artist picks up a soldering iron? Come find out, during our community gathering at RoboCafé. The upcoming edition features The Robot That Joined the Circus, physical Interaction with Machine.

In this edition of RoboCafé, Daniel Simu takes you behind the curtain of one of the most unusual robotics projects you’ll encounter: the Acrobot, a mechanical partner built not for a factory floor, but for the spotlight. Daniel shares his personal journey from performer to builder, the creative obsession that started it all, the failures that shaped the design, and the moments where art and engineering became impossible to separate.

But this is not just a story. Daniel gets into the technical details that made the Acrobot real:

• TPU – why this flexible material became a game-changer for a robot that needs to move like a performer
• Motors: cheap vs expensive – the honest trade-offs, surprises and lessons learned when budget meets ambition
• Programming challenges – what it actually takes to make a machine feel alive on stage

Whether you are an engineer, a maker, an artist or simply curious: this talk is proof that the most interesting robotics projects often come from the most unexpected places.

Come with questions. Leave with inspiration.

Programme
16:45 – 17:00 Arrive, grab a drink, and connect with fellow members of the robotics ecosystem.
17:00 – 17:30 Talk by Daniel Simu- Artist, Creative Technologist & Inventor of the Acrobot with Q&A
17:30 – 19:00 Networking drinks
19:00 Wrap-up, end of the cafe

About RoboCafé
RoboCafé is an accessible community gathering for the robotics and innovation ecosystem. We bring together founders, researchers, engineers, students, and partners to connect, exchange ideas, and reflect on what’s shaping robotics this year. Expect an informal café setting with free drinks.