I'll be honest - walking into a room full of test automation specialists as a non-technical person felt a little like showing up to a chess tournament and only knowing how to play checkers. But Robocon 2026 in Helsinki, Finland surprised me in the best possible way. From the moment the doors opened, it was clear this wasn't just a conference. It was a reunion.
A Community That Actually Talks to Each Other
The thing that struck me most about Robocon wasn't the technical presentations, it was how open everyone was. In an industry that can sometimes feel guarded or siloed, this community was the opposite. Whether you were a seasoned developer, a first-time attendee, or someone like me with more questions than answers, people were genuinely happy to stop, engage, and share. Conversations didn't end with a business card handoff; they turned into real exchanges.
As NiceProject's platinum sponsor representative, I had the privilege of sitting down for interviews with some of the key figures shaping the Robot Framework ecosystem. What I didn't expect was how much I'd enjoy each of those conversations, not just professionally, but personally.
The Voices of Robot Framework
I sat down with Mikka, Chief Executive of the RF Foundation, who spoke about the foundation's long-term vision with the kind of calm clarity that only comes from someone who genuinely believes in what they're building. Pekka, the creator of Robot Framework himself, was equally approachable, talking about the origins and evolution of RF with the enthusiasm of someone who still sees the work as a creative adventure.
David Fogl brought a forward-looking perspective to the table, exploring how AI is weaving itself into the fabric of Robot Framework, a conversation that felt especially relevant given where the industry is heading. Meanwhile, our own teammate Krzysztof Zminkowski, RF Ambassador and certified trainer, reminded me of the depth of expertise we have within NiceProject, seeing him in his element at a conference of this caliber was genuinely impressive.
And then there was Ed Manlove. If the Robot Framework community has a connective tissue, Ed might be it. As an ambassador and one of those rare people who seems to know and be genuinely loved by everyone in the room, he embodied everything that makes this community special — warmth, expertise, and a real investment in the people around him.
What NiceProject Brought — and Took Home
Being a platinum sponsor isn't just about visibility, it's about showing up. And Robocon made it easy to do exactly that. The conversations we had, the connections we made, and the insights we gathered will directly shape how we engage with the RF community going forward. We didn't just attend the conference; we were part of it.
From a marketing perspective, the biggest takeaway was simple: this community doesn't want to be sold to, it wants to be respected. Show genuine interest, come prepared, and be honest about who you are and what you're building. If you do that, the doors open naturally.
From Our Team: The Talks That Stood Out
And we continue with the personal impressions of Robocon 2026 from our team members who were in Helsinki. We asked them what talk they liked the most and why:
Igor: “The Lightning Talks were the highlight of the conference for me due to their fast-paced and engaging nature. I especially valued the presentation by Simon Meggle. He shared some highly useful Visual Studio shortcuts that are total gamechangers for anyone working with Robot Framework on a day-to-day basis.”
Jerzy: “Joke answer: Medusa: Resource-aware parallel suite execution, couldn’t see it as I was manning the booth, but pretty much everyone said it was their favorite, even unprompted. Real answer: ‘How AI tools affect learning and the implications on open-source tools’, a better crystallized, developed and worded representation of my own reservations regarding the widespread use of AI, especially in coding.”
Kris: “There were 2 talks I liked the most. The one about n8n and RF, an interesting use case of Robot Framework, presented in a humorous way. Even when the slides crashed in the background, Namik kept his sense of humor and carried on. The second was the closing talk by Jamina. Personally, I value talks about soft skills and personal development — it’s an important aspect of being a well-rounded tech specialist.”
Andrii: “What I liked most about this talk is the core principle: in a fast-paced IT world where AI accelerates everything, using the wrong tools or applying them incorrectly can actually slow you down dramatically. RF-MCP addresses this by executing every step in a real Robot Framework runtime, no hallucinated keywords, no guesswork. It’s a great example of how AI should augment testing: grounded in actual execution and real experience, not just code generation. This kind of practical, validated approach is exactly what our industry needs right now.”
The good news? Robocon Online is just around the corner and we are a golden sponsor there! The event happens from 3rd to 6th of March. If you missed the in-person event, you can join our WatchParty organised on-site in Wroclaw and experience it online. And if you were in Helsinki, note that Robocon Online features a set of entirely new talks that weren’t presented there. Worth tuning in.
Watch It Together: NiceLabs Watch Party in Wroclaw
If you want to be part of the Polish Robot Framework community and want to experience Robocon Online with actual humans around you, we’ve got something for you. NiceLabs is hosting a two-part event in Wroclaw designed to bring the community together around Robocon 2026. Think of it as the best of both worlds: the online conference, but with coffee, conversation, and people who get it.
Click here to Sign Up. Spots are limited, so grab yours sooner rather than later. Follow our socials for more information.
Until Next Time, Helsinki
Robocon 2026 was a reminder that behind every great open-source project is a community of people who care about the work, about each other, and about what comes next. I came as a sponsor representative and left feeling like a part of something bigger. Let’s Make IT Nicer Together !
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