Robot Operating System (ROS) is an open-source software platform that enables the development, integration, and management of robotic systems. As one of the key tools in modern robotics, ROS allows for faster development, standardization, and easier sharing of knowledge among researchers and engineers, thanks to its modularity and large community.
In this context, a special place is occupied by ROSCon conferences, which bring together the global ROS user community. At these events, participants have the opportunity to exchange experiences, present the latest research and industry solutions, and discuss future directions in robotics development. The first Croatian ROSCon conference – ROSCon HR 2026 – was held on March 30, 2026, at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing in Zagreb, gathering experts from industry and academia through a full-day program of lectures, technical discussions, and networking.
CRTA members actively participated in the conference, presenting current research and applications of ROS through their lectures. Their contributions covered a wide range of topics, from the application of ROS2 in research on mobile and manipulation robotic systems to advanced medical applications.
Branimir Ćaran He gave a lecture titled „ROS2 in Research: From Vertical Surfaces to Mobile Manipulators.“ In his presentation, he demonstrated how ROS2 is used in advanced research scenarios, including robots moving on atypical (e.g., vertical) surfaces, and the development of mobile manipulation systems that combine mobility and manipulation in complex environments.
Luka Šiktar He presented the topic „ROS 2 in the Development of Autonomous Ground and Aerial Platforms.“ The focus of his lecture was on the application of the ROS2 framework in the development of autonomous systems, including sensor integration, navigation, and control for various types of robots – from ground vehicles to unmanned aerial vehicles.
Matija Markulin He gave a lecture titled „ROS2 in the Operating Room: Robot-Assisted Prostate Biopsy.“ His work focuses on medical robotics, where he demonstrated how ROS2 is used in developing systems for precise medical interventions, with an emphasis on robot-assisted procedures in the operating room environment.
Matej Rene Cihlar He presented the topic „ROS2 and F1TENTH: Autonomous Racing of Scaled Race Cars.“ This lecture demonstrated the application of ROS2 in the field of autonomous driving through the F1TENTH platform, which serves as a research and educational playground for developing control, perception, and path planning algorithms in a racing environment.
By participating in ROSCon HR 2026, our researchers further confirmed their active role in the development of modern robotics, connecting academic research with concrete industrial and medical applications. Their presentations contributed to the exchange of knowledge within the Croatian ROS community and strengthened the collaboration between scientific institutions and industry.
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