Intl Conf on Robotics & Biomimetics (Dec 2014, Hanoi Vietnam)

Dates: 5-10 December 2014
Location: CHANGED Bali, Indonesia
Website: http://www.robio2014.org
Deadline for submissions: UPDATED 31 July 2014

The theme of Robio 2014 is “Robots that serve people”, reflecting the ever growing interests in research, development and applications in the dynamic and exciting areas of robotics and biomimetics. Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, is located on the bank of the Red River in the northern section of the country. Hanoi has been inhabited since 3000 B.C. The city is nicknamed the “city of lakes”. Halong Bay, the World Unessco Heritage Site, is one of the most popular attractions and only 150km away from Hanoi. In 2012, the New 7 Wonders Foundation officially named Halong Bay as one of new seven natural wonders of the world. Robio 2014 promises to be a great event for all participants, with excellent technical and social programs.

ASME Journal of Mechanical Design Special Issue: Biologically-inspired design (Jan 2014)

Website: http://asmejmd.org/
Deadline for submissions: UPDATED 24 January 2014 (or possibly later)

[Blog Editor’s note: I’m gratified to see a journal as prestigious as JMD finally recognize the significance of Bio-inspired design within engineering, even though other limbs of the ASME have, in the past, promulgated climate-change denialism.  –Fil Salustri]

Biologically-inspired design (BID) (or biomimicry) is an emerging research area at the intersection of design, computer science and biology that seeks to systematically mine biological knowledge to solve design problems. BID research is active across many disciplines and has had important and significant results. Of particular research interest to society is how can we mine biology for solutions to problems for which we have no good “engineered” solution (e.g., think of how Velcro changed the world as a means of easy, reusable attachments – it was inspired by the common cocklebur’s hooked spines that easily grab other objects). Consequently, the Journal of Mechanical Design calls for submissions for a special issue on Biologically-Inspired Design.