Galle Robotics Meetup

Robotic Innovations for Addressing Pressing Challenges in the Developing World

This 2-day Robotics Meetup aims to bring together robotics innovators, entrepreneurs, and application stakeholders to brainstorm and explore collaborative opportunities that can create real-world impact on developing countries.

Advancements in robotic mobility and perception are opening new avenues to address critical challenges faced by developing nations. These technologies hold the potential to drive efficiency and innovation across diverse sectors:

Agricultural Transformation

Many countries continue to rely on inefficient agronomic practices, often limited by scarce agricultural land and outdated techniques. Robotic systems, including drones equipped with multimodal sensing, have the potential to transform farming by enabling real-time plant health monitoring, precision treatment, and optimized harvesting strategies—boosting efficiency while minimizing resource waste.Beyond productivity, agriculture faces constant threats from pests and wild animals. Instead of relying on excessive toxic chemicals or brute-force deterrents, we can leverage advanced sensing and robotics to develop targeted, eco-friendly solutions—locating, distracting, or mitigating these threats with minimal environmental impact.By integrating automation, AI-driven analytics, and precision technology, we can create a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable future for agriculture.

What makes this meetup unique?

This is not a traditional academic conference. Instead, it’s a multidisciplinary, user-centered design ideation meetup focused on precision agriculture.

We’ll focus on brainstorming solutions that combine technology and user needs to create meaningful change. The specific applications can be anywhere in the world. The workshop will discuss common challenges and opportunities in the countries or regions represented by the participants.

When and where?

This Robotics Meetup will be held in the historic city of Galle, Sri Lanka on 11th and 12th September 2025.

Who is encouraged to attend?

Anyone with experience in connecting diverse experts and stakeholders for impactful projects is welcome. You don’t need to be a Sri Lankan or from a developing country either. You can bring robotics expertise, or business and problem solving skills in other domains.

Logistics & adventure opportunities

We have partnered with Acorn Group (www.acorn.lk) to manage logistics and offer optional adventure tours for attendees, including whale watching, diving, hiking, and more.

About the organizers

General Chair - Thrishantha Nanayakkara (Professor of Robotics, Imperial College London)

Enterprise Engagement Chair - Chalinda Abeykoon (Managing Partner, nVentures Singapore)

Local Organising Chair - Lasitha Balasooriya (Engineering Senior Manager, Michelin)

Local Organising Co-Chair - Bhanuka Dayawansa (Lecturer, Curtin University Colombo)

Precision Agriculture Theme Leader - Rajitha de Silva (Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Lincoln)

Marine Resource harvesting Theme Leader - Asanka Perera (Lecturer, University of Southern Queensland)

International Engagement Chair - Zeynep Altundal ( Research Assistant, COSMOS AI, Türkiye)

Program chair - Keerthi Ranasinghe (Associate, Milner Associates England)