IFAC Mechatronics journal - special issue on"Soft and Flexible Robotics: from Design to Control"
(call for contribution)
Soft and continuum robotics represent a paradigm shift in robotic systems, moving away from traditional rigid-link architectures towards highly compliant, adaptable,
and versatile structures. Inspired by biological systems such as elephant trunks, octopus arms, and snake bodies, these robots offer unparalleled dexterity,
safety in human-robot interaction, and the ability to navigate unstructured or confined environments. Applications are rapidly expanding across domains including minimally
invasive surgery, soft aerial vehicles, search and rescue, industrial inspection, wearable assistive devices, and agricultural automation. However, the very properties that make
these robots so promising, such as infinite degrees of freedom, also introduce profound challenges for design, modeling, and control. Traditional mechatronic approaches based on
rigid-body assumptions are insufficient, demanding new solutions that integrate advanced materials, novel actuation and sensing, and intelligent control strategies.
This special issue aims to bring together the latest advancements in the mechatronics of soft and continuum robotics, bridging the gap between theoretical developments and experimental validation.
The objective of this special issue is to collect articles that report the most recent accomplishments and results in the area of soft robotics and continuum robotics.
The special issue is an opportunity for researchers and practitioners to present the context or applications of their work, the challenges they face, and the scientific approaches they propose
to address these challenges. Contributions from industry are also encouraged.
Topics include but are not limited to:
- Novel design methodologies, materials, fabrication, and actuation/sensing mechanisms for soft and continuum robot
- Kinematic and dynamic modeling for soft and continuum robots
- Model-based and learning-based control strategies for soft and continuum robots
- Embodied Intelligence for Soft and Continuum Robots
- Perception and state estimation for soft and continuum robots
- Human-robot interaction and safety in soft robotic systems
- System integration, experimental validation, and benchmarking for soft and continuum robots
- Applications involving soft aerial vehicles, medical robotics, inspection, search and rescue, and wearable technologies
Manuscript preparation
Papers must be prepared in accordance with Elsevier policy. Instructions and Guide for Authors are available online at:
https://www.elsevier.com/journals/mechatronics/0957-4158/guide-for-authors
Manuscript submission
All contributions should be submitted online at: https://www.editorialmanager.com/mech/.
Each submission must be accompanied with a cover letter specifying that it is intended to the special issue on
"Soft and Continuum Robotics: from Design to Control". All manuscripts will go through peer review process.
Important dates are shown below and papers submitted before the deadlines will be treated and will undergo process earlier.
Important deadlines
- Submission opened: August 15, 2026
- Initial submission: April 30, 2025 (all papers submitted before this deadline will undergo reviewing process as soon as possible!)
- Completion of first review: July 31, 2027
- Submission of 1st revised paper: September 30, 2027
- Completion of 2nd review: November 15, 2027
- Submission of 2nd revised paper: December 31, 2027
- Completion of final: February 15, 2028
- Final manuscripts and Copyright forms: March 1, 2028
- Publication: April, 2028
Links
- IFAC Mechatronics journal CFP website: will come soon
- CFP in pdf: HERE
Guest editors:
- Dr Jie Ling, National University of Astronautics and Aeronautics (NUAA), Nanjing China
- Dr Gerardo Flores, TEXAS A & M International University (TEXAS A & M), Laredo TX USA
- Dr Huicah Zhao, Tsinghua University, Beijing China
- Prof Micky Rakotondrabe, University of Toulouse, University of Technology of Tarbes (UTTOP), Tarbes France
CFP:
Technical Committee: This special issue is within the IFAC T.C.4.2-Mechatronic Systems activities.
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