Vendredi 24 octobre à 11h00, salle des séminaires IRPHE
Abstract: What does it mean for a machine to be autonomous? Long before robotics, stories like Frankenstein and Pinocchio explored this question. In this talk, I’ll revisit it through the lens of soft robotic systems, where fluid–structure interactions and nonlinearities become building blocks for behavior. From pneumatic logic that mimics programming structures to energy harvesting strategies inspired by natural cycles and systems of coupled oscillators, we’ll see how complex responses can be designed by using non-linear elements. Alongside the technical work, I’ll reflect on the broader question of what we mean by “autonomy” in artificial systems. Beyond the technical challenges, there reflections invite us to rethink autonomy itself, blurring the boundary between engineering challenges and ethical questions in the design of artificial agents.
Sergio Picella, Soft Robotic Matter Group, AMOLF (Netherlands)