About The Workshop
AI has transformed methods and knowledge across many domains. However, the intersection of AI and haptics remains underexplored. While modern AI techniques such as machine learning, generative modeling, and reinforcement learning offer powerful opportunities for advancing haptic design, insights from haptics research such as perception modeling and adaptive interaction - grounded in human touch, embodiment, and multisensory integration — can also play a critical role in shaping more human-centered AI systems. This workshop will bring together an interdisciplinary community of researchers from HCI, haptics, AI, robotics, and design to (1) identify pressing questions in haptics that could benefit from AI approaches and (2) highlight ways in which haptic knowledge can support the development of embodied and context-aware AI. Through position papers and paper presentations, we will map key challenges, exchange methods, and explore new research directions that connect the two fields. By framing haptics and AI as mutually reinforcing, the workshop aims to build a shared research agenda and foster collaborations that advance both the science of touch and the design of intelligent interactive systems.
Where
In-person Workshop at CHI'26
When
Date TBA, 2026
What are the topics covered in the Workshop?
- AI for Haptics - How can AI techniques advance haptic design, perception modeling, and interaction? What are the key challenges in creating large-scale haptic datasets, representations, and evaluation metrics?
- Haptics for AI - How can insights from haptics research rooted in embodiment, touch, and multisensory integration inform the development of more human centered and context-aware AI systems?
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration - What methods, tools, and frameworks can facilitate collaboration between HCI, haptics, AI, and robotics communities to advance both fields?
Workshop Schedule
Total duration: 180 minutes (3 hours)
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The workshop consists of paper presentations, lightning talks and dynamic group discussions aimed at fostering collaboration and deeper exploration of AI-haptics intersections.
Introducing the Workshop
Opening remarks, introduction of organizers and agenda
Session 1: Paper Presentations and Lightning Talks
8-10 paper presentations (10 minutes each: 7-8 min presentation + 2-3 min Q&A)
Additional lightning talks (5 minutes each: 3 min presentation + 2 min Q&A)
Break - Coffee and informal networking
Session 2: Lightning Talks
Additional lightning talks (5 minutes each: 3 min presentation + 2 min Q&A)
Synthesize and Conclude
20 minutes: Connecting the dots across presented work
5 minutes: Planning next steps for the community
Organizers
Easa
AliAbbasi
Max Planck Institute for Informatics
Saarland Informatics Campus
Dennis
Wittchen
Max Planck Institute for Informatics
Dresden University of Applied Sciences
Yinan
Li
Arizona State University
Shihan
Lu
Northwestern University
Thomas
Müller
Hapticlabs
Dresden, Germany
Donald
Degraen
HIT Lab NZ
University of Canterbury
Thomas
Leimkühler
Max Planck Institute for Informatics
Saarland Informatics Campus
Sang Ho
Yoon
Graduate School of Culture Technology
KAIST
Hasti
Seifi
School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence
Arizona State University
Oliver
Schneider
Management Science and Engineering
University of Waterloo
Heather
Culbertson
Department of Computer Science
University of Southern California
Jürgen
Steimle
Saarland University
Saarland Informatics Campus
Paul
Strohmeier
Group Leader
Sensorimotor Interaction Group
MPI for Informatics
Call for Participation
The AI for Haptics and Haptics for AI workshop explores the intersection of haptics research and artificial intelligence, focusing on challenges, opportunities, and future directions. This workshop is open to researchers and practitioners in HCI, AI, haptics, robotics, and design, as well as anyone interested in multimodal interactions and AI-driven haptic technologies.
To participate, you need to submit a 2–4 page position paper (excluding references) using the CHI Extended Abstracts format (see CHI publication formats). Please submit your manuscript as a non-anonymized PDF via this online form.
We encourage your position paper to address topics such as: AI techniques for haptic design and perception modeling, challenges in creating large-scale haptic datasets and evaluation metrics, how haptics research can inform human-centered AI development, design and fabrication of haptic systems, or other areas you believe warrant discussion. The paper should briefly introduce yourself and provide an overview of what you believe needs discussion during the workshop. You are highly encouraged to present your work in this context.
Position papers will form the basis of paper presentations and lightning talks. Accepted papers may be published on the workshop website and arXiv at the authors' discretion. At least one author of an accepted position paper must attend the workshop (in-person or virtual) and register for at least one day of the conference.
Important Dates
Submission Deadline: February 12, 2026 (midnight AoE)
Notification: March 10, 2026
Workshop Date: TBA, 2026
FAQ
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How to attend the workshop?
AI for Haptics workshop is an in-person format and you can register for the event by reserving your spot during CHI 2026 registration.
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How to apply as a participant?
Participants can apply by submitting a 2-4 page position paper via the online form.
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What should be in the position paper?
If you are interested in participation, please submit a 2–4 page position paper (excluding references) using the CHI Extended Abstracts format as a non-anonymized PDF.
We encourage your position paper to focus on topics such as: AI techniques for haptic design and perception, challenges in haptic datasets and evaluation, how haptics can inform human-centered AI, design and fabrication of haptic interfaces, or other relevant areas. The paper should briefly introduce yourself, provide an overview of what you believe is important and needs discussion, and you are highly encouraged to present your own work in this context. -
Will the submitted paper be published?
Accepted position papers may be displayed on the AI for Haptics workshop website and archived on arXiv at the authors' discretion.
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Do I need to attend the workshop after
submitting a position paper?
At least one author of an accepted position paper must attend the workshop (in-person).
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What should I do if I am facing problems during
submission?
Please contact the organizing committee via email (easa[dot]aliabbasi[at]mpi-inf[dot]mpg[dot]de or dennis[dot]wittchen[at]mpi-inf[dot]mpg[dot]de) for assistance with any submission issues.