High-Tech Award for Prof. Daniela Rus

Munich – Bavarian State Chancellery

Bavaria champions freedom of research – Presentation of the Bavarian Minister-President’s High-Tech Award 2026 to robotics and AI pioneer Professor Daniela Rus

High-tech is part of Bavaria’s DNA – Award ceremony at the Munich Residenz on July 23 (GERMAN, ENGLISH)

Munich. On July 23, 2026, Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder presented the Bavarian Minister-President’s High-Tech Award 2026 to Professor Daniela Rus—a pioneer in robotics and AI and Director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)—in the Hercules Hall of the Munich Residenz.

Stock photo from our archive: Residenz at the Hofgarten – entrance to the Hercules Hall – Theatinerkirche in the background (2025); Photo: Helga Waess (Press Photo Archive)

Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder:

“From medical robots at the operating table to the highway and the deep sea: your developments help make life on Earth longer and better.

This pioneering spirit aligns with the ‘Bavarian way of life.’ High-tech and peak performance have always been part of our DNA—and we are active globally in the field of robotics, too. In the face of international competition, innovation represents our great opportunity for future prosperity. That is why, in Bavaria, we champion the freedom of research. We are investing heavily in the High-Tech Agenda while simultaneously expanding our international network. Bavaria boasts the highest number of supercomputers and is home to key start-ups; furthermore, the Free State is home to the EU’s two best universities: the Technical University of Munich (TUM) and LMU Munich. The future is at home here. The High-Tech Prize recognizes this; with prize money of 300,000 euros, it is Germany’s most lucrative technology award.

Congratulations to all the award winners—you are brilliant role models who are making a real difference. Please keep up the great work!”

Munich: The Residenz and Feldherrnhalle viewed from Odeonsplatz – Photo: Helga Waess (Press Photo Archive)

Text information and quote from the Bavarian State Chancellery press release.

Webcams - 190th Munich Oktoberfest: Sept. 20–Oct. 5, 2025 / broadcast live 24 hours a day

190th Munich Oktoberfest - Live via Webcam

The start of the Munich Oktoberfest on September 20, 2025, and the Wiesn webcams - live 24 hours a day!

190th Oktoberfest from September 20 to October 5 at the Theresienwiese (Français, Italiano , Deutsch , English)

Munich. In just over 13 days, the world's largest Oktoberfest will kick off on the Theresienwiese in the Bavarian capital. The parade with the Münchner Kindl (Munich Child), Mayor Dieter Reiter, and Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder, the entry of the Wiesenwirte (innkeepers), and the 'Ozapfn' (O beer tap) are all part of the traditional Oktoberfest kickoff. To enjoy a view from a distance, six live webcams, including the Bavaria-Webcam, will be installed during the Oktoberfest. Live images and videos allow guests and Oktoberfest fans from all over the world to be part of the celebrations in Munich.

Munich Oktoberfest - Press photo archive : Helga Waess (cover blog)

Important dates for the 190th Oktoberfest 2025

The world's largest folk festival will take place for the 190th time from September 20th to October 5th.

Saturday, September 20th, 2025, at 10:45 a.m. – Parade of the Innkeepers & Breweries

The Münchner Kindl, Munich's Mayor Dieter Reiter, and over 1,000 participants will march through the city toward the Oktoberfest grounds.

The "Procession of the Innkeepers" and their decorated carriages have marked the beginning of Oktoberfest since 1887.

 

 Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 12:00 PM – "O'zapft is" at the Schottenhamel Festival Hall

At the stroke of 12:00 PM, the beer will be tapped and flowing on the Theresienwiese.

The mayor will tap the first liter of festival beer and, in keeping with tradition, hand it over to Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder for tasting.

At the top of the Bavaria there is a superb viewing platform, Photo: Helga Waess (Oktoberfest construction - Press archive)

Here are the links to the webcams on the Theresienwiese - Oktoberfest Live Webcams

• The view from the Bavaria-Webcam shows the city skyline in the background - at this link

• Across from the northeast entrance, there's a Webcam at Café Guglhupf - follow this link

• From the crossbowmen's tent, you can use the Webcam to look south over the festival grounds.

• A webcam can be found at the "Devil's Wheel" on Schaustellerstraße - follow this link

• At the Paulaner Turm , a webcam at this link offers a 24-hour live view of Matthias-Pschor-Straße, the Bavaria statue, and the Oide-Wiesn.

• There's also a webcam on the Löwenturm, which can be found at this link, offering a 24-hour live view of the Oktoberfest.

• A webcam at aria is located on Paulskirche = St. Paul's Church, and there's a great viewing platform. Photo: Helga Waess (Oktoberfest Setup - Press Archive) 

Entrance to the Munich Oktoberfest seen from Esperantoplatz, Photo: Helga Waess (Press archive - previous year)

2025 Oktoberfest camping in Munich - "Messestadt-Ost" 

The campsite is "open ONLY during Oktoberfest (from September 17 to October 6, 2025)," according to the website, where you should make your reservation now. (Link to the website:  www.oktoberfest-camping.com) 

The Oktoberfest starts on September 20, 2025 at 12 noon and ends on October 5, 2025.