Moonshot Goals of Soft Robotics through Embodied Intelligence ‒ uphughes ‐ EPFL

IEEE RoboSoft Half-day Workshop
When: 23rd April 2025
Where: SwissTech Convention Centre, Rue Louis Favre 2, Lausanne, 1024 Ecublens, Switzerland

Calls for Contributions

We invite you to submit a bold, high-risk, high-reward “moonshot” idea for soft robotics inspired by your research. Selected participants will have the opportunity to deliver a quickfire pitch and/or present a poster at the workshop. We will also be providing cash prizes to the top pitches!

Contributions can be submitted as a single slide summary (any form of media is allowed) of the goal and how it relates to your research. Submission form is here.

The deadline for contribution submission is March 31, 2025. The best contributions will be selected for a 2-minute flash pitch during the workshop program. Contribution acceptance will be notified by April 10, 2025.

If you have any questions and feedback, please send an email to Nana Obayashi.

Workshop Summary

The field of soft robotics has redefined traditional robotics with fully compliant, bio-inspired designs capable of thriving in diverse environments. However, research in recent years has shown mainly incremental advances, with various open questions to fundamental challenges remaining. To avoid stagnation and continue positive momentum, we must define a bold vision for the future. Our workshop focuses on leveraging embodied intelligence—a framework that emphasizes the dynamic interplay between body, brain, and environment—to tackle critical challenges and propel the field forward. We aim to establish both short-term (5-year) and long term (10 to 20-year) moonshot goals, ensuring sustainable growth and positioning soft robotics at the forefront of technological innovation.

Featuring a Shark Tank-inspired structure, where researchers will pitch their moonshot ideas to convince a panel to “invest” in their goals, sparking interactive discussions and constructive critique. Additionally, young researchers and students will have the chance to present flash talks. By bringing together diverse voices from within and beyond the field, we seek to define an Apollo moment for soft robotics, through democratization, interdisciplinarity, and a collaborative vision for the future.

Program at a Glance

All times are in Central European Standard time.

8:15 – 9:00	Registration & setup
9:00 – 9:15	Workshop start & introduction	Organizers
9:15 – 10:15	Pitching Session 1: 10-minute moonshot pitches from experts to panel of sharks	Pitching: Auke Ijspeert, Kari Love, Jeff Lipton, Zlatka Stoeva Sharks: Adam Stokes, Jonathan Rossiter, Robert Baines, Ellen Roels
10:15 – 10:45	Rising star moonshot pitches & Discussion	Robert Baines, Ellen Roels & Everyone
10:45 – 11:00	Flash moonshot pitches	Invited early-career researchers and students
11:00 – 11:30	Coffee break & posters
11:30 – 12:15	Pitching Session 2: 10-minute moonshot pitches from experts to panel of sharks	Pitching: Josh Bongard, Kate Devlin, Mattia Gazzola Sharks: Adam Stokes, Jonathan Rossiter, Robert Baines, Ellen Roels
12:15 – 12:40	Summary of Pitching Session 1 & Voting	Fumiya Iida and Organizers
12:40 – 13:00	Discussion & Concluding Remarks	Everyone