On September 1–3, 2026, Košice hosted the 49th regular Principia Cybernetica 2026 meeting. The event enjoyed high attendance, personally welcoming 70 representatives from university departments across the Slovak and Czech Republics specializing in automation, cybernetics, control, informatics, and related disciplines.

This year's meeting was organized by the Department of Industrial Automation and Mechatronics (KPAaM) at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, TUKE. The event was officially opened by the Dean of the Faculty, Dr. h. c. mult. prof. Ing. Jozef ŽIVČÁK, DrSc., MPH, Academician of UčSS, who presented the achievements and future direction of SjF TUKE. The Dean has also been a long-standing and prominent member of this respected professional community.

Bridging Academia and Industrial Practice

The Principia Cybernetica 2026 meeting once again successfully fulfilled its core mission. The organizers managed to create an inspiring environment for:

• Professional presentations and discussions on current trends in cybernetics and automation.

• Visits to cutting-edge academic and industrial facilities, including selected TUKE laboratories.

• Building new contacts and strengthening cooperation between universities in both countries.

A significant benefit of the event was its strong connection to practical application. Participants had the opportunity to engage with leading industry representatives. The technical program was notably enriched by a presentation from VOLVO Cars, which clearly demonstrated the integration of the academic environment with the real and current demands of modern industry.

Our thanks go to the entire KPAaM organizing team for the excellent execution of the event, as well as to all participants for their valuable contributions to the professional discussions. We believe that the newly established partnerships will lead to further successful projects in the future.