Content
This workshop focuses on the exploration and integration of novel design paradigms in the field of aerial robotics, with a primary emphasis on bioinspired and soft robotics concepts. The objective of this endeavor is to revolutionize the design, development, and operation of aerial robots by drawing inspiration from the natural world and soft materials engineering. We aim to leverage principles derived from biological organisms, such as birds and insects, to create agile and energy efficient aerial platforms that can navigate complex environments with unprecedented precision, adaptability, and that are able to extend their flight range and duration.
Additionally, we will investigate the potential of soft robotics, which offers inherent compliance and versatility, to enhance the safety, maneuverability, and interaction capabilities of aerial robots. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration involving speakers and researchers from different areas and pushing the boundaries of traditional design approaches, our workshop seeks to advance the frontiers of aerial robotics and unlock new possibilities for applications in fields such as search and rescue, environmental monitoring, precision agriculture and forestry, transportation and logistics, large infrastructure inspection, surveillance, and many others. The workshop objectives can be summarized as follows:
● Inspiration from Nature: Explore how bioinspired designs can revolutionize the capabilities of aerial robots. Learn from nature’s solutions for flight, navigation, energy efficiency, and adaptability.
● Soft Robotics Integration: Investigate the integration of soft robotics principles into aerial platforms. Discover how compliant and adaptable
structures can enhance aerial robot safety and interaction. Interdisciplinary.
● Exchange: Foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among researchers from diverse backgrounds, including robotics, biology, materials science, and engineering.
● Hands-On Exploration: Provide participants with hands-on experiences, including building and designing bioinspired and soft robotics components for aerial robots.
Therefore, the key domains of discussion will include, but are not limited to:
- Innovative bioinspired systems.
- Morphing technologies.
- Flapping wing robots.
- Soft aerial robots.
- Safety in aerial robotics.
- Compliance in aerial robotics.
- Novel aerial manipulators.
- Tethered based systems.
- New design methods.
- Application of AI to the design.
- Real-time applications of AI.
- Applications.
We bring together a diverse set of researchers from academia and industry from different and complementary areas of robotics to collaborate and inspire each other from several complementary perspectives to discuss solutions for the design and development of unconventional aerial systems design paradigms which can contribute to design agile, safe, efficient, and effective aerial systems. To facilitate the desired discussions, we have assembled a distinguished group of speakers and actively encourage interactions through panel discussions and concise
presentations. Following each session topic, there will be a panel session featuring the invited speakers, providing an additional opportunity for in-depth discussions and fostering increased engagement and participation.’
Call for Papers
We invite the submission of extended abstracts, dataset papers, and robot technologies and interactive demonstrations summaries. Submissions should be in ICRA standard pdf format and be maximum 4 pages. Accepted papers will be made available on the workshop website, and authors will be invited to give a presentation and present their work during the workshop and poster session. We are currently exploring the possibility of a journal special issue for the best contributions at the workshop.
The key domains of discussion will include, but are not limited to, the following:
1) Energy sources including on-board generation systems and energy harvesting from the wind.
2) Platforms to improve energy efficiency in the flights: bioinspiration, morphing.
3) Energy aware planning and control.
4) Energy efficient aerial manipulation.
5) Recharging: Autonomous landing, recharging systems and battery change, tethered systems.
6) Multiple robotic systems.
7) Applications in confined spaces and highly cluttered environments.
Every paper will be reviewed by at least two peers. The selection of accepted papers will be done by the organizing committee, based on the reviews. Accepted abstracts will be made available on the workshop website, and authors will be invited to present their works during the interactive poster session.
ORGANIZERS
Anibal Ollero
GRVC Robotics Lab, University of Seville (Spain), Co-Chair IEEE TC Aerial Robotics and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.
Pauline Pounds
University of Queensland, Associate Professor, School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Architecture and Information Technology (Australia).
Giuseppe Loianno
New York University (USA), Director of the Agile Robotics and Perception Lab.
H. Jin Kim
Seoul National University, Department of Aerospace Engineering and the Automation and Systems Research Institute (Korea).