held in conjunction with SIMPAR2010

November 15, 2010

Darmstadt, Germany

Robotics researchers aim for the creation of robotic systems which match the motion, performance and efficiency of humans, e.g. in locomotion or manipulation. However, there is still a huge gap between the abilities of today’s robots and humans. Biomechanics and motion scientists search for the principles underlying and determining human motion. Biomechanical and biokinetical models and simulations are of primary importance for fundamental investigations on the design, control and performance of motion systems in both communities which, however, have very different perspectives on similar problems. For example, bipedal jogging is treated as a posturally stable gait with some, possibly small, flight phases in robotics whereas in biomechanics bioenergetic aspects of gains and losses in potential and kinetic energy and their transfer during a gait and between gaits are considered.

This workshop aims at bringing together both communities to suggest and to stimulate new approaches by investigating answers on questions like:
-What can be learned from biomechanics research for the modeling, simulation, design, control and evaluation of bio-inspired robotic systems like arms, legs or full size humanoids?
- How can robotics be used to validate hypotheses on human motion?

Workshop Co-Chairs:

- Andre Seyfarth, University of Jena, Germany

- Monica Reggiani, University of Padua, Italy

- Oskar von Stryk, TU Darmstadt, Germany