Neuro and Bio-robotics senses and perception

40

English

Salle Berthier - École normale supérieure - 29 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris

The course explores computational and physical models to emulate the dynamics and efficiency of the activity of biological neurons in the peripheral and central nervous system. Special attention is given to real-time implementation of neuro-robotic artifacts with sensors based on neuromorphic logics, via event-driven information encoding similar to networks of biological neurons, also enabling volume compression of data generated by high-density sensor networks. The course will also discuss the integration of such neuromorphic devices, with particular focus on tactile sensors, into neurophysiological studies and closed-loop bionic-hybrid systems aimed at recovering sensory-motor functions.

The course will include hands-on activities with graphical programming tools and networks of artificial spiking neurons fed by data produced by tactile sensors.

Classes will take place throughout the week of November 27, for a total of 25 hours of teaching. The detailed program will be communicated to students at a later date.

Validation is based on student attendance.

This PSL Week is open to all students with an interest in Robotics and/or Cognitive Neuroscience. No pre-requisites are required other than a sufficient command of English to follow the courses.

ANDRE Jean-Baptiste

All classes will be given by Calogero Maria Oddo (Neuro-Robotic Touch Laboratory, BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna).

Calogero Maria Oddo has a Ph.D. in BioRobotics from Sant?Anna School of Advanced Studies (SSSA), Pisa, Italy, M.Sc. and B.Sc. in Electronic Engineering from the University of Pisa, 1st and 2nd level degrees in Industrial and Information Engineering as a honors college student of SSSA (3% success rate), all with honors. He is Associate Professor of Bioengineering, he holds the national scientific qualification to be appointed as Full Professor, and he coordinates the Neuro-Robotic Touch Laboratory at The BioRobotics Institute of SSSA. He has over 70 international journal publications and several patents, and a track record in integrating biorobotics, neuroscience and industrial applications, with core of research interests in touch science and engineering. He has 4200+ citations and 29 h-index in Scopus and he serves as member of the editorial board of scientific journals such as Scientific Reports edited by Springer Nature and the International Journal of Robotics Research. He has a growing portfolio of successful research grants, with scientific responsibilities within EU and National projects and industrial contracts. In 2023 he received the Feltrinelli Prize for young investigators in bioengineering from the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei.