With robots being increasingly deployed in complex, dynamic environments, their ability to sense, plan, and act autonomously with intelligence is crucial for ensuring both agility and robustness. While computational intelligence (CI) has made significant improvements in the areas of perception, decision-making, and control, mechanical intelligence (MI) remains an essential yet underutilized approach. MI leverages the design and mechanisms of a robot’s physical structure to enhance or simplify its perception, control, and autonomy, enabling it to function more effectively in unstructured and unpredictable environments.
MI is a principle commonly found in nature, where biological systems excel at agility and robustness, often outperforming current robotic capabilities. Studying organisms that navigate and manipulate within complex terrains can provide insights that could be applied to robotics. Additionally, smart materials—engineered to respond dynamically to environmental stimuli—can improve MI by enabling robots to passively adapt to changing conditions.
This workshop will explore how MI can be integrated into robotics by drawing on biological insights and the use of smart materials. Invited speakers will discuss their expertise in how MI can drive advancements in robotic systems, particularly in enhancing their agility and robustness for real-world applications.
