Recent advances in actuator technology have produced exciting new ideas in biologically-inspired actuation for robotics. Examples of research achievements to date include active materials with actuation and sensing, binary systems with redundant actuators, modular and miniaturized devices (cellular like), bio-hybrid approaches, compliant actuators exploiting springs, magnetic field and pressurized gas. The objective of this workshop is to address fundamentals of biologically-inspired actuation and to focus on specific issues like compliance, energy efficiency, power and energy density, bandwidth, embedded proprio- and exteroception. Relevant examples of biologically inspired actuators will be presented. Speakers who are actively working in this area will discuss potentials of the field, and the new opportunities given by such ubiquitous subsystems, required by virtually all active devices. The workshop will explore the long-term perspective of the actuator research in the area of biologically-inspired robotics, health care and rehabilitation, and at the same time will consider industrial mid-term applications. R&D representatives from companies will exchange ideas towards the development of new products that are more and more requiring bioinspired actuators, especially in the case of devices that are interacting with the user (e.g. human-machine interfaces).

In recent years robotics achieved relevant results, mainly thanks to progress in ICT (information and communication technologies). To date, however, performances of robotic systems are still far from those characterizing animals and, in general, living systems. Major limitations are due to actuation systems, where traditional concepts have been improved through the years, without really changing core solutions. There are still major limitations, for example, due to large inertias, low backdrivability, limited efficiency, lack of adaptability: actuators can only deal today with a very small subset of those characteristics at a time. Nature, thanks to a slow but constant evolution process, selected optimal actuation solutions and represents a good source of inspiration for developing new artificial systems in this field. This workshop will address fundamentals of biologically-inspired actuation and focus on specific issues like compliance, energy efficiency, power and energy density, bandwidth, embedded proprio- and exteroception. The primary objectives of the proposed workshop are: (1) to compare existing technologies, including state of the art research examples, (2) to identify bottlenecks in actuator technologies and potential breakthrough approaches, and (3) to promote a multidisciplinary discussion amongst researchers in engineering, life-scientists and industrial representatives, in order to fill the gap between research and applications. We are pleased to invite speakers to this workshop that will be focused on novel actuator technologies and concepts for robotics. We are looking for gathering a selected group of researchers that could together give useful insights on the emerging area of biologically inspired actuation, possibly through new, embryonic solutions having high potential impact in future applications.

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All submitted abstract should be in PDF format. No specific template is required and contribution length should be comprised between one and two letter pages. Submissions should be emailed to both workshop organizers at the email addresses specified above.