This workshop is funded by the Convergence Center for Living Multifunctional Material Systems (LiMC2)

Abstract:

Plants serve as an ideal source of inspiration for roboticists and engineers, owing to their remarkable ability to adapt to diverse environments. The emergence of miniature plant-inspired machines represents an exciting new era in bioinspired and biohybrid robotics, opening new possibilities for robotics at the microscale. These small-scale robots offer unique advantages such as enhanced maneuverability, adaptability to confined spaces, sustainable construction, and low energy consumption. They excel in tasks requiring complex environmental interactions, such as environmental monitoring and soil exploration.

The workshop “Plant-like Machines in Miniature: Adapting Plant Biomechanics through Soft Robotics” explores combining plant biology with engineering on a tiny scale. Specifically, it will feature the development of miniature plant-inspired robots and soft machines for precise environmental conservation and monitoring tasks Combining plant-inspired biomimetic design, biohybrid materials, and advanced microfabrication techniques, these innovative machines promise to revolutionize our understanding and management of natural ecosystems at small scales.

Experts from diverse disciplines will converge to share the latest advancements in plant biomechanics and sustainable plant-inspired machines tailored for navigating intricate environments while interacting delicately with their surroundings. This workshop aims to catalyze interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering the exchange of groundbreaking ideas among botanists, biologists, roboticists and engineers.