This workshop is intended to bring together active international researchers in the field of mobile robotics to present their research projects and results. A variety of topics related to the navigation of and manipulation on ground mobile robots and aerial robots will be covered. Specifically, topics of presentation include:

Aerial robotics sensor fusion Automatic calibration for mobile robot navigation Mobile robot with variable structures Target tracking using mobile sensor networks Mobile manipulation system for home Service Learning of mobile robot motion model Cooperative mobile robot systems

Workshop Speakers:

Jonathan Kelly (University of Southern California, USA) Yangmin Li (University of Macau, CHINA) Yunhui Liu (Chinese University of Hong Kong, CHINA) Aiguo Ming (University of Electro Communications, JAPAN) Artit Visatemongkolchai (Chevron, THAILAND) Zhidong Wang (Chiba Institute of Technology, JAPAN)

With millions of years of research experience, natural systems are often considered the ultimate model for intelligence. It is no wonder therefore that scientists and engineers have always turned to nature for inspiration of ideas in designs and technologies. Biomimetics is to confer the performance advantages of animal systems on robotic machines. The engineering of these robotic machines requires a thorough understanding of the biological systems on which they are based, at both the biomechanical and physiological levels. This workshop focuses on an in-depth overview of the field, which includes myomorphic actuators that mimic muscle action; neuromorphic sensors that like animal sensors, represent sensory modalities such as light, pressure, and motion in a labeled-line code; biomimetic controllers based on the relatively simple control systems of invertebrate animals; and the autonomous behaviors that are based on an animal�fs selection of behaviors from a species-specific behavioral "library." At this workshop, we will give the state of the art of Biomimetics. New trends and future aspects in the next decade will be discussed as well.
Workshop Speakers:

Wen J. Li (CUHK, CHINA): Development of Bio-Fuel-Cells for Biomimetic Micro Sensors and Actuators Shuxiang Guo(Kagawa, JAPAN): New Types of Underwater Micorrobots for Biomedical Applications Jianwei Zhang (U. Hamburg, GERMANY): Biological Inspirations for the Design of Climbing Robotic Caterpillars Shugen Ma (Ritsumeikan U., JAPAN): Design and Biological Control of Snake-like Robots Max Meng (CUHK, CHINA): Biomimetic applications in medical robotics

This workshop mainly focuses on state of the art on industrial robotics and manufacturing automation. Topics could include robotic automation for inspection, assembly, machining and finishing, food processing, process optimization and other related areas. Emerging robotic technology such as force control, vision-guided motion, off-line programming and simulation and their applications will be presented and discussed. Besides algorithm and technology discussion, applications such as windshield glass quality inspection, engine head decking, torque converter assembly, turbine blade grinding, and laptop cover deburring and finishing may be employed as real-world examples. Pictures, videos and PC simulations of industrial robotics and automation systems may be used to enhance the presentation and discussion.

Proposed Topics:

The Rise of the Consumer Robotics Industry - Applications of Biomimetic Robots(Louis Ross, Virtus Advanced Sensors, USA) A Review of Force Control for Industrial Applications at Case Western Research University (Jeremy Marvel, Case West Reserve University, USA) High Speed Picking and Packing using Delta Robot with Vision(Daniel Wappling, ABB Robotics, Japan) Force Control Assembly and Parameter Optimization(George Zhang, ABB Corporate Research Center, USA) Force Control Machining, Deburring and Finishing(Hui Zhang, ABB Corporate Research Center, China)

Fin flapping is a locomotor motion useful for both stability control and propulsion. There are many animals which use flapping as the primary method of locomotion ? birds, fish, marine mammals, insects, and the list goes on. By flapping a fin, wing, or flipper, these animals are capable of many amazing feats not yet achievable in man-made machines. If biomimetically flapping robots with higher efficiency, improved control, greater payload capacity, and higher speeds are ever to be realized, the flapper must be well understood.

This tutorial will go over the design and construction of a biomimetic pectoral flapping fin, quantitatively explore the performance differences between rigid and flexible flappers, offer a gait generation control system design relevant to all complex biomimetic robot actuators, and demonstrate a method to test and optimize efficiency with respect to a control algorithm. Extensive video media will be shown, ranging from CFD, several generations of prototypes, and a vehicle demonstration.