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GRIFFIN workshop ‘Energy-efficient flapping-wing robots’ test bio-inspired aerial robots

On 21 and 22 September, the GRVC of the University of Seville hosted the workshop ‘Energy-efficient flapping-wing robots’ with more than ten international speakers, outdoor and indoor experiments, which explored the synergies and results of the research carried out in the ERC Advanced Grants GRIFFIN

The GRVC Robotics Laboratory of the School of Engineering of the University of Seville, directed by Anibal Ollero, and the Robotics and Mechatronics Group of the University of Twente have organised the workshop ‘Energy-efficient flapping-wing robots’. This event, which featured renowned international speakers, was held on 21 and 22 September at the GRVC facilities.

This workshop, within the framework of the euROBIN project, explored the synergies and results of the research carried out in the ERC Advanced Grants GRIFFIN (General compliant aerial Robotic manipulation system Integrating Fixed and Flapping wings to increase range and safety) and Portwings initiatives. More than a dozen experts from Europe, America, Asia and Oceania specialised in robots and flapping-wing unmanned aerial vehicles took part.

In addition to the presentation of the results, indoor and outdoor experiments and the implementation of flight control on a flapping wing prototype have been carried out during these two days. The main objective is to bring together some of the world’s leading experts in robotics, flapping wing and artificial intelligence to share knowledge and explore the results obtained by different methods, comparing and discussing the experiments.

Activities

On the 21st and 22nd, the validation of the models using methods such as CFD, wind tunnels and motion tracking systems will be discussed. Aspects such as the applicability and generality of the model and the differences between real prototypes of flapping wings (bio-inspired robots) were also tested, differentiating them by characteristics such as size and behaviour. Control strategies have been addressed, with emphasis on the optimal combination of flapping and gliding to perform energy-efficient missions under certain wind conditions.

The workshop has also included modelling, control and testing of autonomy in manoeuvres such as obstacle avoidance, landing and landing on branch-like surfaces, with the aim of mimicking behaviour and environments similar to those found in the open air. On the other hand, the application of the methods on flapping-wing robots such as E-flap and Robird has been studied, discussing also the transferability at hardware and software level.

GRIFFIN presents ‘Energy-efficient flapping-wing robots’, its new workshop on robotic innovation

The ERC Advanced Grants GRIFFIN is proud to present the workshop ‘Energy-efficient flapping-wing robots’, organised by the GRVC Robotics Lab at the University of Seville and developed in collaboration with euROBIN and Portwings, with both PIs leading teams in euROBIN, being this the first Workshop approved by this European Network of Excellence. The event will take place in Seville on 21-22 September 2023 and will feature a large number of internationally renowned experts from around the world who will enlighten those present with the latest developments and will also include a series of practical initiatives.

There will also be a discussion on the validation of the models by methods such as CFD, wind tunnels, and motion tracking systems. Here, aspects such as the applicability and generality of the model will appear in the discussion and the differences between actual flapping wing prototypes by size and behaviour. The control strategies will be addressed, emphasizing the optimal combination of flapping and gliding to perform energy-efficient missions under particular wind conditions. Part of the workshop agenda will be dedicated to both in-person and online lectures and participants will be able to take part in the activities in both modalities. In addition to the scientific presentations, the ‘Energy-efficient flapping-wing robots’ workshop will feature experiments that will take place in the GRVC Robotics Lab facilities and also include the flight control implementation on a flapping wing prototype and the possibility of performing experiments in the 20x15x7 m OptiTrack testbed.

The Workshop will deal with the understanding and model comparison of flapping wing flight by including kinematic, dynamic, and aerodynamic models. The goal is to share the knowledge and understanding of flapping wing flight obtained by different methods, comparing and discussing the results. The Workshop will also focus on the design and development of flapping wing aerial platforms, together with a discussion of bio-inspiration and energy-efficient designs.

How to participate

Workshop website
Registration for online attendance
Registration for on-site attendance
Call for contributions

New Award and Distinction to the University of Sevilla Robotics Lab GRVC laboratory

The paper ‘Design, development and testing of a Hybrid Fixed-Flapping wing UAV’, with authors J. A. Moreno, C. Ruiz, A. Satué, J. A . Acosta and A. Ollero, has obtained the ‘Best paper award’ of the ICUAS 2022 Conference

‘Design, Development and Testing of a Hybrid Fixed Wing UAV’ by authors J.A. Moreno, C. Ruiz, A. Satué, J.A. Acosta, and A. Ollero has received the ‘Best Paper Award’ at the 2023 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

The paper presented a new prototype produced in the framework of the H2020 AERIAL-CORE project coordinated by Anibal Ollero, coming from the previous flapping wing prototypes developed within the frame of the ERC Advanced Grant GRIFFIN project of Anibal Ollero. The award was announced at the gala dinner of the ICUAS 2023 in Warsaw, Poland, last June 8th. Furthermore, Professor Ollero has been distinguished as Honorary Chair of the ICUAS 2024, to be held in Chania (Cyprus), next June 2024.

About ICUAS 2023

The 2023 International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems has been dedicated to the recent developments, most critical capability gaps, and likely future direction for unmanned aircraft systems. ICUAS aims at bringing together different groups of qualified military and civilian representatives worldwide, organization representatives, funding agencies, industry and academia, to discuss the current state of UAS advances, and the roadmap to their full utilization in civilian and public domains. Special emphasis will be given to current and future research opportunities, and to ‘what comes next’ in terms of the essential technologies that need to be utilized to advance further UAS.

Three articles to appear in the Proceedings of the ICUAS 2023

The GRIFFIN project is delighted to announce that three scientific papers carried out under this initiative and by researchers of the GRVC have been accepted in the ICUAS 2023. To appear in the Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (ICUAS) 2023 is a great honour and an opportunity to disseminate our scientific advances and the efforts of our researchers.

About the ICUAS 2023

The ICUAS is an important event for the unmanned aviation community that will take place at the Lazarski University in june of 2023. The annual International Conference on Unmanned Aerial Systems has a 12-year tradition, but this is the first time it will be held in Poland. During the conference, the final of the unmanned flight competition will be held. The competition is open to anyone who passes the elimination stage and it is a unique opportunity to test and compare the skills with participants from all over the world.