Smart City-Open Innovation Challenge - Catalan Solutions

Cities' Challenges: Innovation Playground, 4/11/2026, 9:50-10:35

Living in a Human-Robot Society: A vision from Japan: Main stage, 4/11/2026, 11:10–11:30

Next-Gen Cities: Aligning Robotics, Policy, and Innovation: Stage Impact Tech, 4/11/2026, 13:20 - 14:05

• Innovation Playground

• 4/11/2026, 09:50 – 10:35

Cities worldwide are embracing open innovation to tackle urban challenges and accelerate smart city transformation. This event will showcase how public entities launch innovation calls, test emerging technologies, and collaborate with startups and solution providers. Discover upcoming innovation procurement opportunities, public-private programmes, and real opportunities to co-develop the solutions shaping tomorrow’s cities.

• Ms. Julia Strubell, ACCIÓ Catalonia Trade & Investment, Innovation and Investment Adviser, Catalonia

• Mr. Ignasi Bonet​, GovTechCat Project Manager, Centre de Telecomunicacions I Tecnologies de la Informació , Spain​

• Ms. Margot De Caminel, MÉTROPOLE DU GRAND PARIS, IA/Data Project Manager, France

• Mr. Rikesh Shah, Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre IPEC - CATAPULT , Commissioner, United Kingdom

• Mr. Leandro Aglieri, Consulta Roma Smart City Lab, President, Italy

• Ms. Ilse Leeninga, Innovally/Gemeente Almere , Program Lead Innovally, Netherlands

• Ms. Maria Casanova, Ajuntament de Reus, Innovation Officer, Spain

• Mr. Tom James​, Head of Innovation Strategy and Policy, Llywodraeth Cymru / Welsh Government, UK​

• Main stage

• 4/11/2026, 11:10–11:30

This interview brings together Dr. Takayuki Kanda and Hiroyuki Suzuki to explore how robotics, Avatar Science, and innovation are reshaping society. Kanda, a leading researcher in Human-Robot Interaction and Social Robotics, will reflect on how robots can expand human presence and transform everyday life, while Suzuki will discuss how Japan is preparing for these changes through innovation, entrepreneurship, and the Kyoto-Keihanna ecosystem.

• Ms. Sandra Pérez, ACCIÓ Catalonia Trade & Investment, Head of Industry 4.0 – Innovation and Technology Transformation

• Dr. Takayuki Kanda, Kyoto University, Professor of Kyoto University

• Dr. Hiroyuki Suzuki, ATR - Advance Telecommunications Research Institute International, ATR - Senior Executive Vice President, Representative Director

Living in a Human-Robot Society: A Vision from Japan | SCEWC 3 - 5 NOV 2026

• Impact Tech

• 04/11/2026 13:20 - 14:05

Explore how robotics, AI and robot-avatar technologies are transforming industries, cities and society, and how collaboration between startups and public institutions can accelerate innovation. Featuring insights from Japan and Catalonia, the session will showcase the pioneering work of Hiroshi Ishiguro and his vision for the future of human-robot interaction, including a live, real-time demonstration of robot-avatar technology. The session will conclude with elevator pitches from three Catalan startups presenting innovative solutions with global market potential.

• Ms. Rocío Flor, ACCIÓ Catalonia Trade & Investment, Startup Growth Team Leader

• Prof. Alberto Sanfeliu, Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Full Professor at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC)

• Dr. Takayuki Kanda, Kyoto University, Professor of Kyoto University

• Dr. Hiroyuki Suzuki, ATR - Advance Telecommunications Research Institute International, ATR - Senior Executive Vice President, Representative Director

• Three Catalan finalist startups