Matters of Behavior - Designing animated objects through hands-on experimentation

Call for Participants

Are you interested in designing animated physical objects through collective experimentation? Would you like to explore how objects can be conceived to “behave” within specific contexts?

Based on the MisB KIT—a modular robotics toolkit initiated by EnsadLab in Paris—this hands-on workshop aims to expand our making practices and understanding of robotics by exploring behavioral software processes and reactive material structures, both rigid and soft.

Over the course of three days, 4-5 teams of design students and professionals are invited to prototype “behavioral objects” following a “designing through experimenting” methodology facilitated by experts in the fields of robotics, reactive materials, and collaborative making. These three intensive days will culminate in an exhibition showcasing the workshop outcomes, held alongside a panel discussion on behavioral objects and design through collective, hands-on experimentation.

We are looking for participants willing to engage in three days of hands-on teamwork to create animated objects by using the MisB KIT. Participation is free of charge and based on a first-come, first-served basis. Materials will be provided, and no previous experience in engineering, robotics, or coding is required.

To secure a spot in the workshop, register using the link below no later than August 14, 2026:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/w90icUzyAG

Organisation and Facilitation: Prof. Filipe Pais (EnsadLab), Prof. Samuel Bianchini (EnsadLab), Prof. Pierre Renaud (ICube) and Dr Luis Vega (PolyU Design), with the cooperation of Dr Marc Chataigner (PolyU Design), Prof. Qiuyu Lu (PolyU Design), Prof. Wangda Zhu (PolyU Design). Supported by EnsadLab (laboratory of the École des Arts Décoratifs - PSL / Reflective Interaction Group), the iCube Laboratory (CNRS / Université de Strasbourg / INSA Strasbourg) and the School of Design of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

This initiative is possible thanks to the Start-up Fund for Research Assistant Professors under the Strategic Hiring Scheme of the University Grants Committee (UGC) of Hong Kong (Project ID P0058205) and the French government, managed by the French National Research Agency (ANR) in the framework of Investissements d’Avenir (reference numbers ANR-22-EXOD-0001 & ANR-22-EXOD-0005) of the Priority Research Program and Equipment (PEPR) Organic Robotics.