Introducation:
The rapid advancement of technology has made biomimetics a crucial research area in robotics, especially for applications in complex, dynamic environments. Traditional robots, relying on rigid structures and pre-programmed motions, often struggle with adaptability. Bionic robots, by mimicking the sensory, locomotor, and behavioral patterns of animals, offer enhanced flexibility, precision, and efficiency in task execution.
For example, bionic underwater robots mimic aquatic organisms, enabling efficient navigation for seabed exploration, environmental monitoring, and marine research. These robots, with fish-like streamlined structures, provide significant advantages in maneuverability and energy consumption compared to traditional models. Snake-like robots, inspired by the movement of snakes, are highly adaptable to confined spaces and challenging terrains, making them ideal for disaster rescue and pipeline inspection. Their serpentine locomotion allows them to access areas where conventional robots cannot. Robotic gait optimization further improves performance by emulating animal movement strategies. By mimicking the walking, running, and jumping patterns of animals, robots can move more efficiently and stably across uneven terrains, enhancing task success rates.
Despite their potential, bionic robots face challenges, including sensor data integration, autonomous decision-making in complex environments, and real-time computational efficiency. Moreover, issues like algorithm explainability and human-robot collaboration are ongoing research areas.
This session will explore innovations in bionic robots, gait optimization, and brain-inspired control. It will also address the integration of biomimetics with deep learning, smart materials, and IoT to push bionic robotics toward greater intelligence and application in high-risk areas such as medical rescue and hazardous environment operations.
The goal is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration, overcome technological barriers, and accelerate the practical application of bionic robots to enhance industrial competitiveness and societal well-being.
Organizer(s):
Yayi Shen, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China
Yayi Shen received his Ph.D. in Advanced Mechanical Engineering and Robotics from Ritsumeikan University, Japan. Following the doctoral studies, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at Tokyo Institute of Technology, where his research focused on underwater robotics and experimental fluid dynamics. Currently, he serves as an Associate Professor at the College of Mechanical & Electrical Engineering, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China. His primary research interests include multi-domain (aquatic, terrestrial, and aerial) robotics, bio-inspired robotics, and intelligent mechatronic systems.
Zhong Huang, Hainan University, China
Zhong Huang, Associate Professor and Ph.D. Supervisor at the School of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University. He earned his Ph.D. in Electrical Automation and Information Engineering from Tianjin University, with joint training at the Department of Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering, Arizona State University. Specializing in bionic underwater robot design and intelligent control, his research interests include biomimetic design, motion control, computational fluid dynamics, underwater localization and navigation, and path planning. He has published over 10 academic papers in international journals on robotics and filed more than 10 patents for innovative technologies. Additionally, he has led research projects totalling over 9 million RMB. Dr. Huang is committed to bridging the gap between fundamental research and real-world engineering, contributing significantly to the development of advanced robotic systems.
Zikai Feng, Hainan University, China
Zikai Feng is a lecturer in Hainan University. He received the Ph.D. degree in information and communication engineering with the Department of Information and Communication Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou, China, and the State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Haikou, China. He has also conducted Ph.D. joint training at the Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore. His research interests include multi-agent reinforcement learning, UAV-assisted communication, and game theory.
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