Workshops

The Living Machines conference will be preceded by Workshops to be hosted at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, 28 July, 2015

Active researchers in biomimetic and biohybrid systems are invited to propose topics for 1- day or 2-day tutorials, symposia or workshops on related themes. Workshops proforma HERE 

The workshops are to be held at the Poblenou Campus of Universitat Pompeu Fabra. Find information on how to get there @ WORKSHOPS_WHERE.pdf

To attend the workshops will attract a small fee intended to cover the costs of the meeting. For fees and online registration go to  REGISTRATION 

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The Robot Self

Organizers: Tony Prescott, University of Sheffield, UK; Paul Verschure, Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, Kevin O'Regan, Univ. Paris Descartes ,
Contact: Tony Prescott, t [dot] j [dot] prescott [at] sheffield [dot] ac [dot] uk

Abstract: The human self has many facets—physical, temporal, social, conceptual and experiential. We will consider to what extent it will be possible, useful, or ethical to create robots that have a human-like “sense of self”.   Might this, for instance, be a path to developing robots that have an understanding of human intentions and needs and are therefore safer and more helpful?   Or, would such machines with selves then suffer like we do? Or, might they become uncontrollable? Our workshop will examine the different aspects of self in humans, how these might be realised in robots, and what we might learn about the human condition from the endeavour to create artificial selves. click here for the   PROGRAM pdf

Nature Inspired Manufacturing

Organisers: Prof. Marc Desmulliez, Dr. Eitan Abraham
Heriot-Watt university, School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, Edinburgh
EH14, 4AS, Scotland, UK.
http://www.hw.ac.uk
Contact m [dot] desmulliez [at] hw [dot] ac [dot] uk, e [dot] abraham [at] hw [dot] ac [dot] uk.
 
 
Abstract: This Nature Inspired Manufacturing (NIM) event is in the format of a workshop.  NIM, however, is a project in progress  towards  the creation of biomimetic centres in the UK and Europe . The objective of the NIM Project is the application of biomimetic principles to create products offering novelty, competitive market value, and manufacturing using conventional or new methods that preserve the environment. Our mission statement is, ‘Generation of economic impact in society through a synergy  of the sciences, engineering, the humanities, and industrial partners.’ Participants will thus have the opportunity to be part of an organised network of a truly multidisciplinary nature. This will result in a much more attractive proposition for funding from Government Organisations and Research Councils as well as the private industry. It is also envisaged that novel science and technology will emerge in the creative process. This Third NIM International Workshop is about expansion and convergence. We are bringing in new disciplines from the humanities, the animal world, soft robotics, nanotechnology, and companies manufacturing biomimetic products. This expansion flags the presence of potential contributors to the materialisation of our mission statement. In addition, we will outline our Business Plan and initiate a consultation process among committed parties to establish coordination and a memorandum of understanding to achieve our clearly stated objectives. Put together, these elements constitute the foundations of convergence. The twelve speakers and poster presenters with their exciting topics will transmit the notion that this Project is only limited by the vastness of nature. For the Programme, Abstracts and Bios, click on the red links.  PROGRAMME pdf      SPEAKERS and more..
 

Bio Inspired Design: Methods and Practice

Organisers: Jeannette Yen, Biological Oceanographer and Bio Inspired Designer, www.cbid.gatech.edu;
Sabir Khan, Architect and Industrial Designer, http://www.coa.gatech.edu/people/sabir-khan
Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta 30332
Contact: jeannette [dot] yen [at] biology [dot] gatech [dot] edu; sabir [dot] khan [at] coa [dot] gatech [dot] edu

Abstract: At this workshop, Sabir Khan, Architect and Industrial Designer, and Jeannette Yen, Biological Oceanographer and Bio Inspired Designer, will teach participants how to mine Nature for design principles using search strategies that have proved useful to our students. We will deploy the tactics we’ve developed [problem decomposition of current technological solution, functional decomposition of solutions of similar challenges in nature, analogical reasoning] to translate the biological insights into technological innovations. We then will down select from the diversity of designs generated in this translation process to take the best ideas [teams will be formulated to be as interdisciplinary as possible*] and execute the final step in the conceptual design process. The objective of critiques of the final presentations is to evaluate the concept for its potential for prototyping. The next step, done under the participants’ own initiative, is to build and test the prototype at their home institute. If of interest, final designs will be presented as part of conference program.
*We will customize the focus to the interests of the participants who will be selected based on their response to our pre-course survey: your expertise [biology, engineering, design], your strengths in sustainable practices [materials economy, energy savings, water saving, etc], reasons for your interest in learning how to practice BID. We look forward to sharing what we have learned from teaching students in biology, mechanical and biomedical engineering, materials science, architecture and industrial design at Georgia Tech who are looking to change the world. PRELIMINARY PROGRAM pdf