The RSJ/IEEE International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS) comes to the David L. Lawrence Convention Center September 27 through October 1, 2026 — a flagship robotics conference that brings thousands of researchers, many of them travelling internationally, into Pittsburgh for four and five nights. Fitting, given this is the city that built its second act on robotics.
Why a furnished home beats a conference hotel for a five-night stay. At four-plus nights the math changes. You get a kitchen instead of five straight restaurant dinners, laundry, a real desk and reliable wi-fi for the talk you are still editing, and a living room where your group can actually work through a poster together. For teams and labs travelling together, one house is usually less per person than separate rooms.
Getting to the convention center. Our homes across the city put you a short drive or transit hop from Downtown. If your stay runs 30 nights or longer — a sabbatical visit, a lab exchange, a longer research placement — look at Extended Stays instead, which is built for exactly that and skips Pittsburgh’s roughly 14% lodging tax.
While you are here. Give yourself one free evening: the Duquesne Incline, dinner from our Pittsburgh food guide, or a walk across the bridges to the North Shore. More in Things to Do in Pittsburgh. Note that the Steelers and Pitt both play at home that opening weekend, so book early.
Where to stay. Rivers & Steel City Homes offers full homes across the Pittsburgh metropolitan area — parking, a kitchen, and room for everyone who travelled in. 2,700+ guests since 2018; book direct and save 5–15% over Airbnb and VRBO. Lock in your dates at riversandsteel.com/search.
More to plan your trip: Things to Do in Pittsburgh in 2026 · Conventions on the Pittsburgh events calendar. Ready to visit? Find your stay »
