11:00-11:30: Lecture "Continuum Mechanics for the Modeling of Elastic Bodies and Numerical Resolution" - Christian Duriez

Abstract: This class will aim at giving the basics of the mechanics of deformable solids (continuum mechanics). I will then explain how numerical models can be used to solve these equations, in particular finite element models. Finally, we will see how we can apply these models in a deformable robotics context, in particular for real-time execution.

Bio: I received an engineering degree from the Institut Catholique d’Arts et Métiers of Lille, France and a PhD degree in robotics from University of Evry, France. My thesis work was realized at CEA/Robotics and Interactive Systems Technologies followed by a postdoctoral position at the CIMIT SimGroup in Boston. I arrived at INRIA in 2006 in the ALCOVE team to work on interactive simulations of deformable objects and haptic rendering. In 2009, I was the vice-head of SHACRA team and focus on medical simulation. I am now the head of DEFROST team, created in January 2015 . My research topics are Soft Robot models and control, Fast Finite Element Methods, simulation of contact response and other complex mechanical interactions, new algorithms for haptics… All my research results are developed in SOFA, which is a framework that we co-develop with other INRIA teams. I was also one of the founders of the start-up company InSimo which use our research results for a fantastic humanitarian project  

13:30-14:30: Keynote "Reconfigurable Robots for Real Intuitive Interaction" - Jamie Paik

Abstract:

A truly ubiquitous environment is where human-machine interactions are intuitive, reliable, and compatible. This requires an intelligent platform that is versatile and adaptable to evolving tasks and dynamic environments. While there are extensive efforts in addressing this challenge through massive data and learning algorithms, there is yet to be a cohesive solution to improve the actual physical interactions. Recent developments in soft robots with their unconventional material-based solutions and modular robots with a multitude of configurations propose possible avenues to extend the capacities of robotics. This talk will highlight the recent progress in soft-material robots and reconfigurable origami robots that aim at achieving comprehensive solutions toward diverse "softer" human-robot applications.

Bio: Prof. Jamie Paik is director and founder of Reconfigurable Robotics Lab (RRL) of Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL). RRL’s research leverages expertise in design and advanced manufacturing toward reconfigurable robotic platforms that push the physical limits of material and mechanisms. Her latest research effort is in soft robotics and self-morphing Robogami (robotic origami). Robogami transforms autonomously its planar shape to 2D or 3D by folding just like the paper art, origami. Soft material robots and robogamis are designed to be interactive with the users and their environments through both innate and active reconfigurations. Such characteristics of the RRL’s robots have direct applications in medical, automobile, space, communication, and wearable robots. While this novel technology has been published in multiple academic journals such as in Soft Robotics Journal, IEEE Transactions in Robotics, Nature, and Science, RRL’s spin-offs, MIROS and Foldaway-Haptics, have pushed the boundaries of the industrial applications of these robots as seen in TED conference 2019. The latest robogami is part of Mercedez’s 2020 concept car, Avatar, presented during CES 2020, and MIROS in 2023 and 2024.