# Episode Forty-Five: Francesco Giorgio-Serchi

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2023-04-21
- Length: 26m
- Episode: 45
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi

## Summary

Francesco Giorgio-Serchi, a Lecturer in Robotics at the University of Edinburgh, discusses the design and control of underwater vehicles for extreme weather conditions. He explains how his team uses anticipatory control algorithms to predict wave disturbances and maintain accurate positioning near offshore renewable energy structures. Additionally, he details the development of soft robotics, including the 'Octobot' and stiffening manipulators inspired by squid and jellyfish biomechanics, which offer both agility and efficiency for inspection and potential medical applications.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi#t=7) Introduction: Francesco Giorgio-Serchi and University of Edinburgh
- [2:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi#t=125) Challenges of operating underwater vehicles in extreme weather and wave disturbances
- [5:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi#t=348) Anticipatory control strategies and wave tank testing results
- [11:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi#t=663) Soft robotics hardware: stiffening manipulators and granular jamming
- [13:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi#t=813) The Octobot: squid-inspired design, agility, and swimming efficiency
- [18:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi#t=1107) Applications of soft robotics: from underwater inspection to heart pumps
- [21:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-04-21-episode-forty-five-francesco-giorgio-serchi#t=1293) Future developments: fish-inspired designs and lateral line sensing

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Sensors & measurement in products](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/sensors)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- University of Edinburgh (company)
- University of Southampton (company)
- Toku University (company)
- Octobot (product)
- Abrelia Orita jellyfish (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [450: Swimming Through Nutritious Slurry](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2023-05-25-450-swimming-through-nutritious-slurry) (Embedded.fm)
- [189: The Squishiness Factor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-03-02-189-the-squishiness-factor) (Embedded.fm)
- [363: Squishy Nature](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-02-26-363-squishy-nature) (Embedded.fm)
- [166. Jellyfish Cyborgs Help Explore The Oceans & Solve Climate Change](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-03-19-166-jellyfish-cyborgs-help-explore-the-oceans-solve-climate-change) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [35. The Feisty Crustacean That Inspired A New Generation of Super Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-09-14-35-the-feisty-crustacean-that-inspired-a-new-generation-of-super-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)

## Citing this page

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