A kind reminder: The location is room 222. This is the link(zoom) we'll use to stream the talk: https://epfl.zoom.us/j/99581158103 ***************************************************** *Title: Amphibious Krock 2 robot and challenges in multimodal locomotion *Abstract: Salamander inspired platforms have been used to study robotic/biological locomotion in the Biorobotics Laboratory at EPFL for over a decade, drawing parallels between humanmade and natural systems to improve our understanding of both. Our most recent iteration, Krock 2, is targeted towards search and rescue applications within the NCCR Robotics program. Previously demonstrated in terrestrial applications, it is now being introduced into the water through the use of a dry suit and undulatory swimming gait. Multimodal locomotion carries the inherent challenge that the morphology and actuation for one mode may not be useful, or even present a hindrance, for another. On the other hand, unique synergies between modes of locomotion can present themselves. Its sprawling-posture gait and capability to swim along the water's surface manage to avoid the persistent challenge of balance within legged locomotion. However, this comes with inherent challenges in the perception of the environment, which we are addressing in collaborations. *Speaker: Matthew Estrada is a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Biorobotics Laboratory (https://www.epfl.ch/labs/biorob/), EPFL. He is currently leading the hardware development, control, and simulation of the amphibious Krock 2 robot under the Swiss NCCR Robotics program. *Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2020, at 11:30 *Location: Manno, Galleria 1, 2nd floor, room 222 *Doodle registration: Due to COVID19 guidelines, there are limited available places in the booked room. Please state your attendance or virtual attendance in this doodle: https://doodle.com/poll/vqhsnkvw3ufwawh5 *Pizza: Due to COVID19 restrictions, there will be no pizza after the meeting. -- This message was scanned by SUPSI mail-scanner and is believed to be clean.