As part of the Zurich AI Festival 2026, LINA is bringing «AI Meets Reality – Testing the Future of Autonomous Systems» to Winterthur on September 28. The interactive half-day event explores how autonomous drones, robotics and Physical AI are moving from research labs into the real world: what is already possible today, what remains unsolved, and what it takes to make these systems safe, trustworthy and ready for real-world operation.

The programme features keynotes, live demos and prototypes from leading researchers and companies, including Prof. Davide Scaramuzza and Matternet from the LINA consortium. There will be a strong focus on the role of realistic experimentation, testing and validation in moving Physical AI from prototype to deployment. Secure your spot today!

In the interview from House of Winterthur, Hella Bolck from the LINA team and Zurich AI Festival co-initiator Sabine Müller share what visitors can expect.

“AI Meets Reality: From Algorithms to Autonomous Systems” - what is this program about, and what can visitors expect?

Hella Bolck: Our central question is: Physical AI is leaving the lab—what is needed for such systems to function in our real world? Autonomous robots, drones, and intelligent systems will become an increasingly integral part of our daily lives in the future. For example, they can assist us in protection and rescue efforts or take on tasks that are dangerous or tedious for humans. However, the journey from prototype to practical application raises many technical, societal, and regulatory questions. With “AI Meets Reality,” we make this journey visible and tangible.

Visitors can expect a diverse program featuring keynotes and demos by experts from both research and industry. They will demonstrate what is already possible today, which applications hold particular promise, and where challenges still lie. In a panel discussion, we will also address issues of trust, responsibility, and societal acceptance.

The Zurich AI Festival is coming to Winterthur this year. Why is the city - and the Vitus Areal in particular - the right venue for this event?

Hella Bolck: Winterthur is the ideal location for this event. The festival supports exactly what the city aims to achieve with its economic strategy: raising the profile of Winterthur as a hub for technology and innovation, strengthening connections among key players, and fostering exchange between industrial expertise, academia, and practical applications—as well as with politics, government, and residents.

With the ZHAW, Winterthur has a strong university that brings together expertise in engineering, aviation, and AI, among other fields. The AI Festival event grew out of our work at LINA, where we focus primarily on the intersection of these fields to build a platform for testing and trialing physical AI and autonomous systems under realistic conditions. With “AI meets Reality,” we want to highlight even more clearly that Zurich’s AI and innovation ecosystem does not end at the city limits, but extends far into the canton and all the way to Winterthur—and that so many exciting developments are already taking place here today.

The Vitus Areal offers the ideal conditions for this: Inside the hall, we can set up a stage and demonstrate systems firsthand, while outside there’s space for mobile demos such as drones or autonomous vehicles. At the same time, the site is easily accessible and close to the key players in our ecosystem. We particularly appreciate the smooth collaboration with the Vitus team and the opportunity this provides to strengthen a vibrant startup and industrial ecosystem in Winterthur.

What are you personally most looking forward to at the 2026 Zurich AI Festival - and which event should companies definitely not miss?

Hella Bolck: I’m especially looking forward to bringing our LINA team and our strong network together. Together, we’ll work in unison to show just how much expertise, energy, and passion there is in the Swiss ecosystem for Physical AI and autonomous systems—and how this can lead to concrete solutions with a positive impact. It would be great if we could inspire people with this and create a space in Winterthur where such developments are visible, openly discussed, and advanced collaboratively.

A highlight for me will be the Innovation Fair: There, companies and visitors can experience current systems firsthand, exchange ideas with the people who develop and implement them, and see where we already stand today.