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International Symposium on Sensorimotor Transformation

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ISST 2026

October 15 & 16, 2026

The symposium will focus on sensorimotor transformations and the role of internal world models in perception, action, and adaptation. It will bring together researchers from neuroscience, neurotechnology, artificial intelligence, and robotics to examine how biological and artificial systems integrate sensory information, construct predictive representations of the environment, and translate these representations into goal-directed behavior.

We look forward to an interdisciplinary panel of leading experts, engaging discussions, and an inspiring series of poster sessions with early career researchers.

Prof. Dr. Ilka Diester

ISST 2026 Program Committee
BrainLinks-BrainTools Spokesperson

Agenda

October 15

9:00
Towards Bidirectional Neuroprosthetics with Sensorimotor Transformation
Mario Prsa, University of Fribourg, CH
Giacomo Valle, Signal Processing and Biomedical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, SE
Hans Scherberger, Neurobiology, Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, D
Ilka Diester, Optophysiology and BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, D

11:10
Human Sensorimotor Network Modulation: Mechanisms and Neurotechnology
Hartwig Roman Siebner, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital Bispebjerg, DK
Andreas Vlachos, Neuroanatomy and BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, D
Patrick Ruther, Microsystem Materials Laboratory and BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, D

14:05
Neural Circuits of Movement Control
Sylvia Arber, Biozentrum and Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, Basel, CH
Janelle Pakan, Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology, Magdeburg, D
Ian Duguid, Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, Edinburgh, UK
Matthew Larkum, Humboldt University of Berlin, D

17:10
Chimney Talk: Summer Edition
Thomas Stieglitz, Biomedical Microtechnology and BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, D
Thomas Fuchs, Philosophische Grundlagen der Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Heidelberg University, D

October 16

9:00
Sensorimotor Transformation in Robotics I
Aleš Ude, Automatics, Biocybernetics, and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, SI
Georg Martius, Distributed Intelligence / Autonomous Learning, University of Tübingen, D
Patrick van der Smagt, Foundation Robotics, LMU Munich, D

11:05
Sensorimotor Transformation in Robotics II
Gordon Cheng, Cognitive Systems, Technical University of Munich, D
Rudolf Lioutikov, Machine Learning and Robotics, Karlsruhe Intitute of Technology (KIT), D
Joschka Bödecker, Neurorobotics and BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, D

12:30
Multisensory Neuronal Dynamics for Goal Directed Behavior
Carl Petersen, Sensory Processing, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), CH
Simon Musall, In-Vivo Neurophysiology, Forschungszentrum Jülich and Neuromodulation, RWTH Aachen, D
Alexander Gail, Sensorimotor Neuroscience and Neuroprosthetics, University of Göttingen, D

15:35
Movement Control in Invertebrates
Ansgar Büschges, Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne
Andrew Straw, Neurobiology and Behavior and BrainLinks-BrainTools, University of Freiburg, D

17:00
Poster Prize

Call for Posters

In order to present a poster at ISST 2026, please submit an abstract via our online registration tool the latest by September 17. Please use this template for your abstract.

Venue

Aula, University of Freiburg

Aula, Kollegiengebäude 1
Platz der Universität 3
79098 Freiburg
Germany


Directions: https://maps.app.goo.gl/voiiuicrMTiVcnjB8

Program Committee

Dr. Julian Ammer
Prof. Dr. Joschka Boedecker
Prof. Dr. Ilka Diester
Prof. Dr. Marcus Jeschke
Dr. Patrick Ruther
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Thomas Stieglitz
Prof. Dr. Abhinav Valada
Prof. Dr. Andreas Vlachos

Contact

ISST 2026 Organizing Team
+49 761 203 73787
info@brainlinks-braintools.uni-freiburg.de