Mr. Diego Yugo Sato has joined our lab as an Overseas Technical Trainee.

Japan-China Youth Science Camp 2012 organized by Ritsumeikan University and Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) was taken place from August 18th to 22th, 2012. We conducted an experience program of snake-like robots and a lecture why a snake with no legs or feet and a body like a rope can move freely. About 15 Japanese and Chinese high school students from different schools participated. Through ourselves activating and controlling of the snake-like robots, they experienced the mysteriousness of creatures, and the wonder of their physical structures.

In the first lecture, we introduced our snake-like robots developed in Malab. Then, we explained about detail of the snake-like robots in this program.

In the experience program, they contested how faithfully, fast and smoothly the snakes complete in two maps (crank course and up-down slope).

Mr. Chengjun Ding who is Prof. in Hebei University of Technology joined our lab as a visiting fellow.

We had a good camp at Iga city in Mie pref. on 9th and 10th June.

First day, we had a barbecue and “Baka Zemi” which is making a presentation about anything you want to talk and report.

Second day, We ate lunch in Mokumoku Farm and we had the tour to Iga Ninjya museum. Everybody was tired but happy.

Nine undergraduates and three grad students have graduated from Ritsumeikan University.

Ms. Ming Hu who is Associate Prof. in Zhejiang Sci-Tech University joined our lab as a visiting scholar.

The doctoral candidate Ms. Yongchen Tang in our lab received an Excellence Award for her outstanding performance in the poster session of doctoral candidates’ research by ASTER in Ritsumeikan University.

We had a farewell party for Mr. Wu (DC3) and Mr. Yan (MC2) who have finished defenses of their doctor’s and master’s thesis.

We had a good camp at Takashima city in Shiga pref. on 11th and 12th June. Although weather forecast had reported it was rainy, fortunately, it was fine that made all of us happy. We had a barbecue and “Stupid seminar” which is making a presentation in MS Power Point about anything you want to talk and report, and the tour to Chikubushima island in Lake Biwa. Everybody were tired but happy.