Hiroshima University Syllabus

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Japanese
Academic Year 2026Year School/Graduate School Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering (Master's Course) Division of Advanced Science and Engineering Electrical, Systems, and Control Engineering Program
Lecture Code WSG22201 Subject Classification Specialized Education
Subject Name バイオミメティクス特論
Subject Name
(Katakana)
バイオミメティクストクロン
Subject Name in
English
Advanced Topics in Biomimetics
Instructor AMBE YUICHI
Instructor
(Katakana)
アンベ ユウイチ
Campus Higashi-Hiroshima Semester/Term 1st-Year,  Second Semester,  4Term
Days, Periods, and Classrooms (4T) Mon1-4:ENG 101
Lesson Style Lecture Lesson Style
(More Details)
Face-to-face
 
Credits 2.0 Class Hours/Week 4 Language of Instruction J : Japanese
Course Level 6 : Graduate Advanced
Course Area(Area) 25 : Science and Technology
Course Area(Discipline) 11 : Electrical, Systems, and Control Engineering
Eligible Students
Keywords Embodiment
Morphological Computation
Passive Dynamics
Self-Organization 
Special Subject for Teacher Education   Special Subject  
Class Status
within Educational
Program
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
 
Criterion referenced
Evaluation
(Applicable only to targeted subjects for undergraduate students)
 
Class Objectives
/Class Outline
This course reconsiders intelligence from the perspective of Embodiment, moving beyond the conventional framework of biomimetics that focuses on mimicking biological forms and structures.

In this course, embodiment is understood as the position that intelligent behavior in living systems does not arise solely from computational processes within the brain, but rather emerges through the interaction between the physical body and its environment.

Using walking, running, and autonomous distributed coordination as primary examples, the course aims to examine one aspect of embodied intelligence shaped by the interplay between system control and physical body structure. Through lectures and simulation exercises, students will engage in multifaceted analysis and critical discussion of these phenomena. Furthermore, the course aims to cultivate a perspective that understands intelligence as a dynamical system encompassing the body and its environment. 
Class Schedule Lessons 1–2:
What is Embodied Intelligence?

Lessons 3–4:
Passive stabilization of movement through body structure (1)
Running based on the SLIP (Spring Loaded Inverted Pendulum) model

Lessons 5–6:
Exercises of SLIP model

Lessons 7–8:
Passive stabilization of movement through body structure (2)
Passive Dynamic Walking

Lessons 9–10:
Exercises of Passive Dynamic Walking

Lessons 11–12:
Motor intelligence through coordination of neural systems and the body
Gait generation using neural oscillators

Lessons 13–14:
Discussion of advanced and emerging topics

Lesson 15:
Reserve session
 
Text/Reference
Books,etc.
大脇大,福原洸,増田容一
『身体性知能とシステム・制御』
コロナ社,2025

Maziar A. Sharbafi and André Seyfarth
Bioinspired Legged Locomotion: Models, Concepts, Control and Applications,
Butterworth-Heinemann, 2017
 
PC or AV used in
Class,etc.
Text, Microsoft Teams
(More Details) Text, PowerPoint 
Learning techniques to be incorporated Discussions, Post-class Report
Suggestions on
Preparation and
Review
Students are expected to review lecture materials and assigned textbooks.
They are also encouraged to actively engage with the simulation exercises and deepen their understanding by connecting theoretical concepts with simulation results.
 
Requirements Assigned tasks must be submitted in the form of written reports by the specified deadlines. 
Grading Method Evaluation will be based comprehensively on submitted reports and exercise assignments. 
Practical Experience  
Summary of Practical Experience and Class Contents based on it  
Message As this course is newly introduced this academic year, the content may be partially adjusted depending on progress and students’ level of understanding. 
Other   
Please fill in the class improvement questionnaire which is carried out on all classes.
Instructors will reflect on your feedback and utilize the information for improving their teaching. 
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