Abstract

Soft robots, with their compliant morphologies and nonlinear dynamics, embody forms of mechanical intelligence. The convergence of mechanical and artificial intelligence is creating systems that combine the unique material and structural properties of soft robots with the learning power of AI. This integration drives advances in modeling, control, perception, and motion planning, while also opening pathways toward higher-level task planning and semantic understanding. At the same time, the embodied intelligence of soft robots, shaped through millions of years of bio-inspired evolution, offers insights that can inspire novel AI frameworks. This workshop will bring together leading experts and young researchers to explore this two-way synergy and its implications for the future of robotics. The program will feature invited presentations, poster sessions, and panel discussions to highlight recent innovations, identify open challenges, and envision promising directions. Poster sessions will provide a platform for young researchers to present their work and interact directly with senior experts, fostering mentorship and collaboration. Panel discussions will encourage diverse perspectives on how AI can be integrated with soft robotics across different levels of capability. By fostering cross-disciplinary exchange among robotics, AI, bio-inspired design, and related communities, the workshop aims to accelerate the development of intelligent soft robots and outline key research opportunities for the next decade.