<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Dear Colleagues,<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">We are calling for participation on
our ICRA 2017 workshop on "<b>The Robotic Sense of Touch: From Sensing to
Understanding</b>"<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">When: **<b>May 29, 8:30 –
17:00</b>**<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Where: **<b>Room
4613/4713</b>**, Level 4, Sands Expo and Convention Centre<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Program: <a href="https://roboticsenseoftouchws.wordpress.com/program/">https://roboticsenseoftouchws.wordpress.com/program/</a><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">This workshop aims to
bring together experts in the fields of tactile sensor design, tactile data
analysis, machine learning and cognitive modeling to share their knowledge,
through a mix of oral presentations, round-table discussions, poster sessions
and live demonstrations.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Abstract:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">This workshop (<a href="https://roboticsenseoftouchws.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">https://roboticsenseoftouchws.wordpress.com</a>)
focuses on the development of novel tactile sensors (i.e. the bodyware) and how
they can contribute to robot intelligence (i.e. the mindware). Robots
need touch to interact with the surroundings (humans and/or objects) safely and
effectively, to learn about the outside world and to develop self-awareness. To
achieve these goals, the artificial skin of the next generation should measure
temperature, vibration, proximity and the complete force vectors on multiple
contact points; also, it should be both soft and robust to facilitate long-term
interactions. Still, major challenges are posed by the need to analyze and
interpret massive amounts of data in a fast and accurate way, and to combine
such sensing information with other cognitive and perceptual processes to
achieve real understanding. While advanced computational techniques (e.g. deep
learning, Bayesian inference) can critically improve data representations,
bio-inspired strategies for multimodal integration, prediction and reasoning
seem to be necessary as well to revolutionize the robotic sense of touch.
Therefore, the goal of this workshop is to discuss if and how the recent
advancements in tactile technology and data analysis have been accompanied by
an increased understanding of the ways in which tactile perception can support
robot autonomy and cognition.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Content:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Part of human intelligence comes from using the
sense of touch to explore the own-body and learn about the world. Similarly, a
humanoid robot can use tactile sensing to learn about itself and its surroundings,
and to improve its ability in interacting with humans and objects. Indeed,
there has been a remarkable progress in tactile sensors for robotics. Several
robotic platforms and hands are equipped with sensors which allow measuring
pressure, proximity and temperature; also, novel technologies (soft, small,
distributed, stretchable sensors) can be used to cover the entire body of a
humanoid. These sensors can allow robots to actively explore objects and
extract information which is hidden or difficult to extract from vision, like
texture, material and weight; however, this requires the development of
appropriate learning strategies which incorporate explorative behaviors, signal
processing and machine learning.<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">**<b>Invited Speakers</b>**:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Gordon Cheng, Technical University of Munich,
Germany<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Jurgen Kosel, King Abdullah University of
Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Katherine J. Kuchenbecker, Max Planck Institute
for Intelligent Systems, Germany, and University of Pennsylvania, USA<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Helge Wurdemunn, University College London,
United Kingdom<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Kaiyu Hang, Hong Kong University of Science and
Technology, Hong Kong<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Lorenzo Natale, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia,
Italy<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Lorenzo Jamone, Queen Mary University of London,
United Kingdom<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;text-align:justify;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Alexander Schmitz and Sophon Somlor, Waseda
University, Japan<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Organizers:<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Sophon Somlor (contact
person), Waseda University<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Alexander Schmitz,
Waseda University<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Lorenzo Jamone, The
Queen Mary University of London<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span lang="IT" style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Lorenzo Natale, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia</span><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">Gordon Cheng, Technical
University of Munich<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black">***URL***<span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal;background-image:initial;background-position:initial;background-size:initial;background-repeat:initial;background-origin:initial;background-clip:initial"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;color:black"><a href="https://roboticsenseoftouchws.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">https://roboticsenseoftouchws.wordpress.com/</a><span></span></span></p>

<p class="MsoNormal"><br></p>

<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif">Looking forward to see
you in Singapore!<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0.0001pt;line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:Arial,sans-serif"><br></span></p><div><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div style="font-size:small"><div>================================================</div><div>Dr. Sophon Somlor<br></div><div>Junior Researcher</div><div>Top Global University Project<br>Unit for Frontier of Embodiment Informatics：ICT and Robotics<br>Faculty of Science and Engineering<br></div><div>Waseda University<br></div><div><br></div><div>早稲田大学　理工学術院</div><div>スーパーグローバル大学創生支援<br>ICT・ロボット工学拠点</div><div>次席研究員<br>ソムロア　ソフォン</div><div>================================================</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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