Workshop on Smart Mechanics: Fusion of Softness and Rigidity in Robot Mechanism

Smart Mechanics is a research activity aiming at establishing a new robotics theory for effectively modulating power flow in robot mechanisms as well as developing novel robotic devices which can change their softness and rigidity appropriately according to mechanistic situations determined by required task. These aims are based on the insightful words provided by Dr. Shigeo Hirose, a pioneer of robot technology who created many surprising robots, that the essential functions of robot mechanisms may be 乪to temporarily restore, release, or branch the power flown through a considered robot system乫 [1]. The main objective of this workshop is to show 1) a meaningful collection of the top research examples strongly related to Smart Mechanics in the fields of theoretical foundations of robotics, robot mechanisms, soft robotics and wearable robotics, and 2) provide a clear view of the future direction of Smart Mechanics emerged from the interactions between distinguished invited speakers and the audience.