Contact is a cornerstone of robotic manipulation, enabling robots to interact purposefully with their environment and extend their operational capabilities. Traditionally, research has emphasized collision avoidance to ensure safety in robotic applications; however, controlled contact can actively enhance task performance. Equally compelling is the concept of fast contact—often manifesting as impact—which has typically been underexploited or even deliberately avoided. When harnessed correctly, these rapid interactions offer a promising pathway for dynamic manipulation and improved efficiency. This workshop aims to bridge these paradigms by exploring both the nuanced control of traditional contact and the innovative potential of impact-aware manipulation.

This workshop marks the first gathering of experts and researchers to discuss the topic of Contact and Impact-aware Manipulation (CIM). The proposed half-day event will explore recent advancements in robotic manipulation strategies in contact-rich environments and review the outcomes of the special issue on impact-aware robotics published in the IEEE Transactions on Robotics. Furthermore, the workshop will feature presentations on advanced tactile sensors and their application in contact-aware operations on humanoid robots, showcased by the leading robotics company. By bringing together academic researchers and industrial engineers under one roof, this workshop promotes deeper integration between haptic perception and robotic manipulation and further fosters innovative research for CIM.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.