Animals can exhibit remarkable locomotive capabilities in complex environments, and they often outperform existing bio-inspired robotic systems. The goal of this workshop is to identify key challenges and opportunities in developing bio-inspired robots that can achieve animal-like locomotive capabilities and functions. Our speakers will report recent progress in developing muscle-like actuators, bio-inspired sensing and control strategies, and onboard energy sources.

Furthermore, we aim to quantify the performance gap between these bio-inspired sub-systems with that of the biological systems. Given the constraints in each of the sub-system, we aim to identify design principles that will optimize robot performance. In addition, bio-inspired robots are not limited to emulating animals’ morphology and locomotive strategies. These robots can integrate traditional robot elements (such as rotary actuation) and leverage physical phenomena (such as electrostatics and electrowetting) that are unavailable to animals to further enhance robot functions.

With the aim of achieving animal-like locomotive ability and functions, this workshop will bring together experts in diverse areas such as actuation, design, biomechanics, and control. We will identify emerging challenges and opportunities in bio-inspired robotics, brainstorm new design principles, and discuss applications of these robots in situations that are challenging for traditional robots.

Let us know if you are coming!

Either in person or virtually

Join us virtually on Zoom from 8:50 am (Eastern Time) on May 23, 2022.

Support and Sponsorships

This workshop is supported by

• The IEEE RAS Technical Committees on Soft Robotics

• The IEEE RAS Technical Committees on Mechanisms and Design