Accepted Special sessions(SS) /workshops(WS):

SS1. Multimodal Locomotion Robots: Progress, Application and Trends

Organizers:

Prof. Wei Meng, Guangdong University of Technology, Email:meng0025@ntu.edu.sg

Dr. Long Teng, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Email:eric-long.teng@polyu.edu.hk

Assoc. Prof. Haifei Zhu, Guangdong University of Technology, Email:hfzhu@gdut.edu.cn

Description:

The quest for advanced robotic systems capable of multimodal locomotion is critical to addressing the challenges of navigating diverse and complex environments. From disaster response scenarios to environmental monitoring, robots must adapt seamlessly to shifting terrains such as land, water, and air. These dynamic environments often present obstacles, such as uneven surfaces, varying densities, and unpredictable conditions, which require innovative approaches in robotic design, propulsion, and control systems.

Multimodal locomotion robots, inspired by biological systems capable of thriving in multiple environments, offer a promising path forward. By integrating principles from nature with cutting-edge technologies, these robots can achieve enhanced mobility, energy efficiency, and operational resilience. Innovations such as hybrid propulsion systems, adaptive control algorithms, and robust mechanical designs are key to enabling transitions between modes, such as flying to swimming or crawling to diving. These features ensure superior performance in mission-critical applications, where adaptability and precision are paramount.

This special session seeks to highlight the progress, applications, and emerging trends in multimodal locomotion robots. By bringing together researchers, engineers, and practitioners from diverse disciplines, the session aims to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange, ultimately shaping the future of adaptable robotic systems. Through the discussion of innovative designs, successful case studies, and cutting-edge research, this session will contribute to advancing the capabilities and real-world applications of multimodal robotics.

Scope:

This special session will focus on the design, development, and implementation of multimodal locomotion robots, particularly emphasizing their capabilities in adapting to various environments, including land, water, and air. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Design and optimization of multi-environment robotic platforms
• Structural innovations for durability and performance in dynamic environments
• Hybrid propulsion systems for multimodal locomotion
• Adaptive control algorithms for seamless mode transitions
• Bioinspired locomotion strategies for efficient navigation across diverse terrains
• Energy-efficient locomotion techniques for multimodal robots
• Experimental validation and testing of multimodal robots in real-world environments
• Integration of sensors and autonomy for multimodal navigation and task execution
• Case studies and applications in disaster response, environmental monitoring, and exploration

SS2. Planetary Exploration Robots and Bioinspired Attachment Technologies

Organizers:
Prof. Kun Xu, Beihang University, China, Email: xk007@buaa.edu.cn (Corresponding Organizer)
Prof. Liang Ding, Harbin Institute of Technology, China, Email: liangding@hit.edu.cn
Prof. Aihong Ji, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, China, Email: meeahji@nuaa.edu.cn
Prof. Wei Zhang, Shenyang Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China, Email: zhangwei@sia.cn
Dr. Peijin Zi, Beihang University, China, Email: zipeijin@buaa.edu.cn (Contact Person)

Description:
The exploration of extraterrestrial environments, particularly the Moon and Mars, is a major milestone for humanity. The challenges faced in these environments—such as low gravity, rugged terrain, and extreme conditions—require innovative solutions in robotic design and mobility. Planetary exploration robots must be capable of performing complex tasks, such as errain navigation, data collection, and sample retrieval, in environments that are vastly different from those on Earth. One of the key aspects of planetary exploration is the ability to effectively attach to surfaces for mobility, manipulation, and stability. Bioinspired attachment technologies, inspired by natural mechanisms such as gecko feet or insect adhesive structures, offer promising solutions for improving the performance of planetary exploration robots. By combining bioinspired designs with cutting-edge robotic technologies, it is possible to enhance the capability of these robots to traverse and interact with challenging extraterrestrial surfaces, such as lunar regolith or Martian soil. This special session aims to explore the latest advancements in planetary exploration robots and bioinspired attachment technologies, providing a platform for sharing innovative research and discussing future directions in this interdisciplinary field.

Scope:
This special session will focus on the development, design, and implementation of planetary exploration robots, with a particular emphasis on the integration of bioinspired attachment technologies. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:

• Bioinspired attachment mechanisms for planetary exploration
• Design and optimization of planetary robots for diverse terrains
• Multi-modal locomotion strategies (e.g., hybrid wheel-legged robots, climbing robots)
• Materials and surface interactions for attachment on extraterrestrial surfaces
• Challenges and solutions for robotics in low gravity environments
• Experimental validation of robotic systems on planetary analog environments (e.g., lunar and Martian analogs)
• Autonomous control strategies for robots with attachment capabilities
• Legged robot for planetary exploration

SS3. Bio-Inspired Robotics for Dynamic Locomotion and Manipulation in Challenging Environments

Organizers:
Xiangyu Chu (corresponding organizer), The Chinese University of Hong Kong, China, Email: xiangyuchu@cuhk.edu.hk
Tianxue Zhang, Beihang University, China, Email: tianxuezhang@buaa.edu.cn
Ryuki Sato, The University of Electro-Communications, Japan, Email: r.sato@uec.ac.jp

Description:
Bio-inspired robotics is rapidly transforming the landscape of dynamic locomotion and manipulation, offering solutions that draw from the highly efficient and adaptive strategies found in nature. Nature’s creatures perform well in navigating and interacting with a wide range of complex and dynamic environments. By mimicking these strategies, bio-inspired robots are expected to tackle the challenges faced by traditional robots in unstructured and unpredictable environments, while also performing manipulation tasks requiring dexterity and adaptability. This special session will focus on the development of bio-inspired robots that can perform dynamic locomotion and manipulation in challenging environments. These environments may include uneven, cluttered, or dynamic spaces where traditional robots struggle to maintain stability and perform delicate manipulations. The session will explore advancements in robotic design, motion control, sensing, and environmental adaptation, with a particular emphasis on the integration of mobility and manipulation capabilities that are essential for real-world applications. The motivation for this session arises from the need for robots that can handle complex, high variability environments.

While robots have made significant progress in controlled settings, they still face challenges when navigating unpredictable terrains and interacting with dynamic environments. Bio-inspired robots, with their inherent flexibility and ability to mimic biological systems, offer unique advantages in overcoming these limitations. These robots are not only capable of dynamic locomotion but also of performing complex manipulation tasks. 

Scope:

Topics of interest for this special session include but are not limited to:

• Bio-inspired robots for dynamic environments
• Hybrid locomotion and manipulation systems
• Motion control strategies that enhance agility and stability in challenging environments
• Sensing and perception technologies enabling real-time interaction with the environment
• Applications of bio-inspired robots in fields such as search and rescue, exploration, and other environments requiring robust locomotion and manipulation.

This session aims to showcase cutting-edge research on bio-inspired robotic systems that integrate both movement and manipulation in complex, unstructured settings. By bringing together experts in robotic design, control, sensing, and manipulation, we aim to inspire interdisciplinary collaboration and foster innovative approaches to tackling real-world challenges.

SS4. Assistive Robotics and Support Technologies

Organizers:

Prof. Mohammad Osman Tokhi, London South Bank University, UK, Email:tokhim@lsbu.ac.uk

Dr. Khaled M. Goher, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman, Email:k.goher@squ.edu.om

Description:

The aim of this workshop is to report on latest research findings and developments in the areas of assistive robotics and support technologies for the needy. The research and development communities are engaged with a range of activities in these areas. This is motivated and driven by the needs of (a) the ageing population for whom human resources and support are becoming limited, (b) the disabled people with mobility and functionality disorder. Wearable robotics, in the form of exoskeletons for lower and/or upper extremities and whole-body support, have been identified as a significant area of technology benefiting the elderly and the disabled population with mobility disorders. Similarly, interface technologies, including connectivity, humanmachine interaction, etc. provide immense support to these populations and further to those with impairments in vision and audio capabilities. Additionally, soft robotics and soft actuators are redefining assistive solutions by providing adaptable, safe, and biomimetic movement capabilities. Innovations in co-creation methodologies are fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, ensuring that assistive technologies are user-centred and effectively meet real-world needs. 

Scope:

The special session will include presentations in the following non-xhaustive list of topics:

• Wearable assistive robotics for elderly/disabled mobility support
• Scalable and modular wearable robotic designs
• Soft robotics for assistive technologies and rehabilitation
• Connectivity support/services for elderly and disabled
• Elderly/disabled friendly human-machine interface mechanisms / technologies
• AI and machine learning support/control approaches
• Design and development challenges in assistive and support technologies
• Co-creation innovations in assistive technologies

SS5. Bio-Inspired Swarm Robotics: From Collective Intelligence to Emergent Autonomy

Organizers:

RD. Wei Xu, China North Artificial Intelligence & Innovation Research Institute, China, Email:xuwei1507@163.com

Prof. Qiuguo Zhu, Zhejiang University, China, Email:qgzhu@zju.edu.cn

Description:

The development of bio-inspired swarm robotics is crucial for addressing complex tasks in dynamic and uncertain environments. Inspired by the collective intelligence of natural systems such as insect colonies and animal herds, these robotic swarms can achieve decentralized coordination, adaptability, and resilience through simple individual behaviors and local interactions.

By integrating bio-inspired algorithms, advanced sensing, and adaptive hardware, robotic swarms can autonomously organize and collaborate to tackle large-scale problems. Innovations in communication protocols, swarm topologies, and machine learning frameworks are essential for enhancing their performance and robustness.

Scope:

From this point of view, this special session is aimed at highlighting recent advancements and emerging trends in bio-inspired swarm robotics in which researchers can contribute, but not limited to:

• Bio-inspired Design and Mechanism;
• Biomechanics and Gait Analysis
• Actuation and Energy Efficiency
• Advanced Sensing and Perception
• Energy Harvesting and Autonomous Power Supply
• Communication Protocols and Swarm Topologies
• Locomotion Control and Adaptability
• Machine Learning and AI in Swarm Systems
• Human-Robot Collaboration and Safety
• Modular and Reconfigurable Systems
• System Integration and Autonomous Operation
• Applications and Real-World Deployment

WS1. Advances in Soft Mobile Robots

Organizers:

Prof. Wenxian Li, Shenzhen Technology University, China, Email: liwenxian@sztu.edu.cn

Assoc. Prof. Sicong Liu (corresponding organizer), Shenzhen Technology University, China, liusicong@sztu.edu.cn

Description:

Soft mobile robots, utilizing materials such as polymers, elastomers, and gels, are gaining traction in various domains, due to their inherent softness, responsiveness, and biocompatibility, which environment adaptive and safe performances. These robots offer unique advantages in tasks requiring dexterity, flexibility, and human-robot interaction. The rapid progression in soft materials and fabrication techniques has imparted unprecedented complexity and sophistication to the design and control paradigms of these robots, thereby transcending the conventional boundaries of robotics research. However, despite the significant progress made, the field of soft mobile robotics still faces a multitude of challenges, particularly in the areas of design and fabrication, soft material science, modelling, actuation, proprioception (self-awareness of the robot's own body position and movement), and control.

we are honored to convene a workshop entitled "Advances in Soft Mobile Robots." This session is meticulously curated for researchers specializing in the frontier areas of soft material behavior, additive manufacturing, the design and mechanics of flexible structures, soft actuation technologies, proprioception, and the control systems for soft mobile robots. This workshop endeavors to assemble a distinguished cohort of academics, researchers, and industry practitioners to disseminate their latest findings, address emergent challenges, and propose innovative solutions within the sphere of soft mobile robotics.

Scope:

The scope of the workshop includes but is not limited to: 

• Design and mechanics of flexible structures 

• Soft materials behaviors

• Additive manufacturing for soft robots

• Soft actuation and proprioception

• Origami inspired deployable structure and robot

• Soft mobile robots

• Bioinspired soft robots

• Control of soft/compliant robots

• Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

• Experimental validation

Invited speakers:

Qi Ge, Professor, Southern University of Science and TechnologyHailin Huang, Professor, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen)

Ji Liu, Associate Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

Chengzhi Hu, Associate Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

Hongqiang Wang, Associate Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

Xing Gao, Associate Researcher, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology Chinese Academy of Science

Dong Wang, Associate Professor, Shanghai Jiao Tong University

Ping Wang, Associate Professor, Sun Yat-sen University Shenzhen Campus

Zhenglong Sun, Assistant Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen

Fang Wan, Assistant Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

Xin Zhang, Assistant Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology

Manuscript preparation

We invite researchers, engineers, and practitioners to submit papers related to the topics of these special sessions. The submission details are as follows:

• Submission Deadline: 01 April 2025
• Paper Length: Full papers (up to 12 pages)
• Notification of Acceptance: 15 May 2025
• Final Paper Submission: 15 June 2025
• Conference Dates: 05-07 Sept 2025

All submitted papers will undergo a rigorous peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings published in the Springer’s Lecture Notes in Networks and Systems series, which will be indexed by Scopus and EI and submitted for consideration in Web of Science. A selection of papers will also be recommended for possible publication in reputable international journals. We also welcome contributions in the form of posters and extended abstracts can be up to 2 pages, which will provide a unique opportunity for participants to showcase their cutting-edge work.

For further manuscript preparations please look athttps://clawar.org/clawar2025/submissions/instructions-to-authors/
For manuscript submission please look at https://easychair.org/account2/signin?l=7576220027096776823

文章来源：中德物联网创新实验室