Open Robotics hires writing firm, launches security & strategy committees ahead of ROSCon 2026 sellout
ROSCon Global 2026 is seven weeks away and already running out of exhibitor space.
Open Robotics, the US-based non-profit that stewards open-source robotics software (ROS, Gazebo), published its first 'This Week at HQ' update with several notable developments. The most urgent: ROSCon Global 2026 is just seven weeks away, and sponsor demand has grown so much that exhibition space is becoming scarce. The conference is expected to sell out well before the event. Separately, the Open Source Robotics Alliance (OSRA) Technical Governance Committee (TGC) has formed two new bodies—a Security Policy Committee for OSRF/OSRA projects and a Technology Strategy Committee tasked with drafting Open Robotics’ 2027 roadmap.
Behind the scenes, the organization is investing heavily in documentation: a technical writing firm funded by 2025 project grants is overhauling all ROS documentation to improve navigability and usability. Two larger community initiatives are being sketched out: an Open Robotics Ambassadors program to recognize regional leaders, and a revamped events calendar to make discovery and maintenance easier for project groups. The update also notes the ongoing IRS audit work—a routine (but time-consuming) requirement for sizable non-profits.
- ROSCon Global 2026 selling out early; sponsor demand exceeds exhibition capacity
- Two new OSRA Technical Committees formed: one for security policy, one for 2027 technology strategy
- Technical writing firm rewriting all ROS docs for ease of use; Ambassadors program and events calendar in development
Why It Matters
Open Robotics is scaling governance and documentation—signs that open-source robotics is maturing into a sustainable ecosystem.