ICRA 2026 Workshop

Building on our IROS 2025 workshop “Biomimetic Perception in Robotics: From Biological Insights to Advanced Sensor Systems”, which focused on emerging bio-inspired sensing technologies such as lateral line perception (emulating fish mechanoreceptors for hydrodynamic sensing, Fig. 1A) and whisker-based tactile systems (inspired by mammalian vibrissae for object recognition in low-visibility environments, Fig. 1B), we propose the second edition for ICRA 2026. This workshop will focus on translating these paradigms into tangible robotics advancements, moving beyond individual sensor design to integrated systems that enable true autonomous decision-making.

We will explore the entire research pipeline: from fundamental biological insights and novel sensor technologies (inspired by touch, sonar, electroreception, and more) to the perception algorithms and cognitive architectures needed for processing this information. A key theme is multi-modal sensor fusion, mirroring the integrative capabilities of biological organisms. Applications include challenging domains like underwater exploration, navigation in cluttered or dark environments, and soft robotics, plus biomedical applications such as assistive and rehabilitation devices.

The workshop will unite leaders from robotics, biology, biomedical engineering, and materials science. Our goal is to identify key challenges, share breakthroughs, and chart a collaborative path toward creating robots with an adaptive autonomy informed by the principles of life itself.

The promotional video of our workshop for IROS 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-5Nzmza3zQ

The website of our workshop for IROS 2025: https://www.zheng-xingwen.com/workshops/iros2025/