The field of soft robotics has made inroads into a number of applications, filling the niches where traditional robots are unable to compete. This development is driven by new smart and functionalized materials that enable innovative soft robotic abilities. This ICRA 2022 workshop will bring together experts from the fields of materials science and soft robotics, bridging the gap between the disciplines to develop the next generation of cutting-edge soft robotic systems. The workshop will explore current challenges to create new soft robotic systems using smart and functionalized materials in the future. Three sessions, each introduced by a leading researcher from materials science and followed by keynote presentations of soft robotics researchers, will focus on smart materials for actuators, sensors and applications. A panel discussion, moderated and streamed by the Soft Robotics Debate, will discuss obstacles, challenges and the future direction. As part of the workshop, real demonstrators will be presented to illustrate the opportunities arising from smart materials in a soft robotic context.

We are calling for contributions to our ICRA 2022 workshop. We would like to invite the attendees to submit their extended abstract presenting their soft robotics work applied to one of the three sessions (i.e., Actuators, Sensors and Applications). The accepted contributions are asked to prepare a short presentation that will be held during the workshop. The workshop, planned as a hybrid event, will allow submissions and presentations to be made both by people at the conference and remotely. The best contribution will be awarded a certificate.

Paper submission guidelines

• The submitted contributions will go through a single-blind review process.
• The authors of the accepted contributions will have the opportunity to present their work in the contributed paper session at the workshop and online.
• Call for contributions is open to both in-person and online attendees.
• Please submit your extended abstract (min 2 pages, max 4 pages in IEEE paper format) by sending an email to: peters@match.uni-hannover.de
• The subject of the email should be: [ICRA 2022 Soft Robotics WS Submission – Name and Surname of the Contact Author]
• Deadline for submissions is the 09.05.2022.

Please note that the accepted extended abstracts in this workshop will not be published in the conference proceeding.

Objectives

The aims of the workshop are:

• to bring together scientists from materials science and soft robotics in an interdisciplinary manner, bridging the gap between the fields to develop and enable novel systems and applications.
• to discuss what steps are necessary to facilitate closer collaboration between the two fields and to translate novel materials more quickly into soft robotics applications.
• to provide young researchers in soft robotics and materials science with a platform to meet, to learn from experienced researchers and to discuss the future of soft robotics research.

Scholarships for young researchers from underrepresented backgrounds

Gender equality, and support for young scientists from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, is of particular importance to us. Therefore, we invite all young researchers worldwide to apply for one of five scholarships covering travel expenses and costs for accommodation for the entire time of the conference. Please send us your CV and a motivation letter outlining your current relationship with soft robotics topics, your experience in the field, and your career goals. Deadline for submissions is the 31.03.2022
For questions, please contact Jan Peters ( peters@match.uni-hannover.de).