Convergent Science Network Podcast

Kevin O'Regan (Université Paris Descartes, France) theorizes building robots that can feel. Passing topics like sensory presence and sensorimotor laws, he and Paul Verschure reach the boundaries of what it means to 'feel'.

Yoseph Bar-Cohen (Jet Propulsion Lab, NASA) is an expert in the field of biomimetics. With Paul Verschure he discusses the influence of mountain goats on climbing robots, as well as the ways robotic technology is revolutionizing our society.

Main topics in Hillel Chiel's research (Case Western Reserve University, USA) are control systems, and biomechanics. With Paul Verschure he discusses how studying completely soft body control, like of tongues, can lead to finding main principles.

Joseph Ayers (Northeastern University) has moved from systems physiology to building robot lobsters, increasingly focusing on the interplay between the physiological, sensorimotor, and neural interplay of these animals' characteristics.

Huoseng Hu (University of Essex, UK) moved from industrial to service & field robotics. He discusses the building of robot fish with Tony Prescott, but also the development of a semi-robotic wheelchair controlled with thoughts.

Andy Philipides (University of Sussex, UK) studies insect navigation, as e.g. ants do. With Tony Prescott he discusses the importance of studying real ants in natural environments next to lab modeling, and themes like path integration and visual memory.

Mitra Hartmann (Northwestern University, USA) researches perception, particularly 'active sensing'. With Tony Prescott, a colleague in the field, she discusses what can be learnt from exploratory behavior like whisking, including behavior and biology.

Frank Grasso (Cognitive Robotics Lab, City University of New York) has extensively studied lobsters and cephalopods, and modeled with robots. With Tony Prescott he discusses sensing capabilities, control and learning capabilities of these animals.

Federico Carpi (University of Pisa, Italy) is an expert on robot body materials. With Tony Prescott he discusses the current development towards soft materials that can deform under electrical stimulation, and can act and sense at the same time.

Bill Hansson's research focuses on the the theme of olfaction, especially in insects. With Paul Verschure he discusses neural structures, but also the ways flowers have evolved to successfully deceive such olfactory systems.