Living Machines 2023 - The annual International Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems
Abstract
Living Machines is the annual International Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems, an event dedicated to the research onnew technologies inspired by the scientific investigation of biological systems (biomimetics) and the research that seeks to interface biological and artificial systems (biohybrid systems). Started in 2012, the conference brings together a largely multi-disciplinary scientific community of leading researchers and students in the fields of engineering, robotics/biorobotics, mathematics, computer science, artificial intelligence, biology, neuroscience, medicine, ethics, and more. This year the conference is in its 12th edition, and it will be organized by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) in Genoa, Italy.Traditionally, Living Machines has been organized in #special# places to merge science and technology with art, history, cultural heritage, or natural environment care. Examples of past locations include: La Pedrera# of Gaudi in Barcelona (2012), the Natural History Museum in London (2013), the Leonardo da Vinci Museum in Milano (2014), or the Museum National D#Histoire Naturelle in Paris (2018).This year the conference aims to focuson sustainability and the environment, and therefore the organizers have chosen the Aquarium of Genoa (https://www.acquariodigenova.it/en/) as the most suitable venue.The Aquarium of Genoa is the largest aquarium in Europe with the most extensive range of aquaticbiodiversity. The exhibition gallery consists of over 70 exhibits and about 12,000 specimens of 600 species, from all the seas of the world. The Aquarium has the mission of making the general public aware of the conservation, management and sustainable use of aquatic environments through responsible behavior. Since 1992, the year of the opening, there have been numerous events able to involvenot only visitors, but also school groups, observers and ordinary citizens; every effort always aimed at building a more responsible relationship with the natural environment and at stimulating initiatives for the active protection of aquatic fauna in particular.In this sense, the extensive scientific research activity that the structure has always conducted both in nature, through projects to safeguard different species, and in a controlled environment, is fundamental. Both of these activities are the basis of the dissemination activity that the Aquarium addresses to its public, also in collaboration with national and international bodies, institutions and associations.Contemporary roboticists are questioning themselves about the impact of technologies on the environment and, atthe same time, how they may contribute to help with pollution, climate change and future well-being of our Planet. Organizing Living Machines at the Aquarium will be an opportunity to address these issues by engaging the international community working on robotics systems that get inspiration from Nature to discuss research trends and roadmaps for the development of new technologies and systems with low environmental impact and the ability to safeguard sea and oceans, earth biodiversity, improve healthcare, and increase quality of life. The conference program includes a day dedicated to workshops and tutorials and three days of single-track conference, with invited plenary talks, oral presentations and poster sessions of peer-review contributions, a scientific journalist moderateddiscussion, and a special session dedicated to the Aquarium research activities and mission, followed by a guided tour across the aquatic exhibition gallery. An exhibition for research groups and companies will run in parallel to the conference, in a dedicated area where there will be space for prototypes and demos of living machines.The funding from ONR will be dedicated to cover the costs of the auditorium, exhibition area, poster session area, staff for assistance, invited speakers and moderator, for the two final daysof the event.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Apr 02, 2024
- Source ID
- N629092312055
Entities
People
- Laura Margheri
Organizations
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy