Rome is set to become the epicenter of innovation, creativity, and discovery as Maker Faire Rome – The European Edition returns for its 14th iteration from October 23rd to 25th, 2026. Hosted at the iconic Gazometro Ostiense, this year’s event promises an unparalleled dive into the future, showcasing over 400 exhibition stands and a vibrant program spanning robotics, digital fabrication, traditional crafts, and groundbreaking research.
A Hub of Hands-On Innovation
Organized by the Rome Chamber of Commerce, Maker Faire Rome is a dynamic convergence of minds, bringing together makers, established companies, burgeoning start-ups, leading researchers, universities, and schools. With 26 secondary schools and 27 universities and research centers contributing a staggering 145 projects, the event is a testament to collaborative ingenuity.
The program is meticulously structured around three core pillars: Innovation, Creativity, and Discovery. However, the true essence of the three-day spectacle lies in practical experience. Visitors are invited to move beyond passive observation, engaging directly with working prototypes, testing cutting-edge technologies, and interacting with the brilliant minds behind them. Workshops provide immersive learning opportunities, while live demonstrations pull research directly from the laboratory into public view, offering a tangible glimpse into tomorrow’s world.
Key themes dominating the exhibition include robotics and artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, circular economy principles, agritech, aerospace advancements, innovative design, future-focused education, and novel forms of creative production. While the Gazometro Ostiense serves as the primary venue, selected programs will also extend to the nearby Istituto Superiore Antincendi, expanding the footprint of discovery.
Robotics Takes the Field: The Humanoid Soccer Tournament
One of the most anticipated highlights of Maker Faire Rome 2026 is the debut of Italy’s first International Italian Open RoboCup Humanoid Soccer tournament. This thrilling competition will see teams from universities and research centers pit their advanced humanoid robots against each other in autonomous matches. Each side fields five robots, programmed to read the pitch and make real-time decisions without human intervention.
Among the formidable contenders is SPQR from Sapienza University of Rome, a team with a rich history in RoboCup since 1998. Led by engineer and researcher Vincenzo Suriani, SPQR recently showcased its prowess by reaching the finals of the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing, standing as the sole non-Chinese team in the competition’s final stages. This tournament promises to be a captivating display of advanced AI and robotic engineering.
Beyond the Lab: I-RIM 3D 2026 and Practical Robotics
Running concurrently with Maker Faire Rome is I-RIM 3D 2026, the eighth edition of the prestigious conference organized by the Institute of Robotics and Intelligent Machines. Its scientific agenda delves into critical areas such as assistive and medical robotics, collaborative systems, Embodied Intelligence, Physical AI, and the burgeoning application of AI and robotic agents within industrial sectors.
A significant new feature, the I-RIM 3D DEMO programme, is designed to bridge the gap between academic research and public understanding. Throughout the three days, live demonstrations will allow visitors to witness robots in action and interact directly with prototypes developed by research teams. The I-RIM 3D Exhibition will further showcase cutting-edge work from universities and research centers, while RoboPitch offers a unique platform for selected start-ups and research groups to present their robotics proof-of-concept projects to investors, universities, companies, and innovation hubs. Adding a vital business dimension, CNA Roma will explore the practical integration of robotics and AI for craftspeople and small to medium-sized enterprises.
AvantCraft: Where Italian Craftsmanship Meets Advanced Technology
Another exciting addition to MFR 2026 is AvantCraft, a groundbreaking exhibition that explores the evolution of Italian craftsmanship in the age of digital fabrication, robotics, and artificial intelligence. Curated by Stefano Micelli, Professor of Business and Management at Ca’ Foscari University of Venice, and organized by Upskill 4.0, AvantCraft reveals how traditional workshops and production processes are being transformed.
The exhibition is thoughtfully divided into three compelling areas: mobility and precision engineering; contemporary craft encompassing ceramics, glass, scagliola, and inlay; and the dynamic fields of fashion, jewellery, and biomaterials. The exhibits themselves tell a powerful story, featuring everything from high-performance cars and titanium bicycles to 3D-printed ceramics, meticulously hand-set titanium jewellery, large-scale embroidery, and innovative materials derived from waste.
A standout piece is the Dallara Stradale, a vehicle born from an environment where advanced composite engineering harmoniously coexists with manual assembly and specialized technical knowledge. This light, mechanically pure car embodies essentialism – only what’s needed, nothing superfluous. Its analog nature deliberately eschews excessive electronics, prioritizing the unadulterated joy of driving on both road and track.
Technology for Humanity: People-Centric Innovation
A significant number of projects at this year’s Maker Faire Rome shift focus from the theoretical capabilities of technology to its tangible impact on human lives. These innovations are designed not just to impress, but to serve, demonstrating what technology can achieve for humanity, fostering solutions that are intuitive, accessible, and truly beneficial to society.
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