Bio-Inspired, Biomedical, Surgical, Social and AI-Integrated Bio-Mechanical Robotics

Dear Colleagues,

We are thrilled to announce the Topic Issue "Bio-Inspired, Biomedical, Surgical, Social and AI-Integrated Bio-Mechanical Robotics", co-organized with the 17th International Conference on Social Robotics + BioMed (ICSR + BioMed). This initiative converges biological inspiration, clinical innovation, AI, and robotics to address the fragmented nature of advancements in these fields, such as decoding the complex interplay of plant-emitted volatile compounds (VOCs) and their effects on human health. Just as forests harbor unseen synergies between ecology and wellness, bio-mechanical robotics holds untapped potential at the intersection of bioinspired design (e.g., skeletal mimicry), AI-driven diagnostics, surgical precision, and social robotics for aging populations.

While AI and bioinspired technologies have shown promise in isolation—such as AI-enhancing medical imaging or soft robots mimicking tissue elasticity—their integration remains underexplored, akin to understanding only part of a forest’s ecosystem. This Topic seeks to bridge these domains, focusing on how cross-disciplinary collaboration can unlock the "real potential" of bio-related robots: systems that adapt to biological dynamics, enhance human–robot interaction in healthcare, and address societal challenges like aging populations or disability support.

In an era of global healthcare challenges, this initiative aims to position bio-mechanical robotics as a holistic solution, such as forest bathing evolved from tradition to science. We envision contributions that inspire new paradigms, such as "robo-therapies" prescribed for rehabilitation or AI-bioinspired systems that mimic biological healing processes. By uniting diverse perspectives, we seek to create technologies that are not only innovative but also human-centric—adaptive, ethical, and accessible to all.

Join us in shaping this frontier. Submissions are welcome from analytical methods, biomolecular interactions, or AI-bioinspired designs, with a focus on solutions that resonate across labs, clinics, and communities. Together, we will decode the language of bio-mechanical robotics to nurture a future where technology and humanity thrive in harmony.

Prof. Dr. Yanen Wang
Prof. Dr. Chenguang Yang
Topic Editors