IPAB Workshop - 12/2/2026 Speaker: Raul SteleacTitle: Inter-Agent Relative Representations for Multi-Agent Option Discovery.Abstract: Temporally extended actions improve the ability to explore and plan in single-agent settings. In multi-agent settings, the exponential growth of the joint state space with the number of agents makes coordinated behaviours even more valuable. Yet, this same exponential growth renders the design of multi-agent options particularly challenging. This work proposes a novel joint-state abstraction that compresses the state space while preserving the information necessary to discover strongly coordinated behaviours. This approach builds on the inductive bias that synchronisation over agent states provides a natural foundation for coordination in the absence of an explicit objective. In this talk, I will show how the resulting state synchronisation options lead to stronger downstream coordination capabilities compared to alternative option discovery methods. Speaker: Elliot ListerTitle:Towards Data-Driven Design and Control of Soft Hybrid ExosuitsAbstract:Rigid exoskeletons offer robust support for gait pathologies like foot drop, but their weight and profile often impede daily use. Soft robotics provides a compliant alternative, yet the design of such systems is complicated by the difficulty of modelling soft-material interactions within standard biomechanical environments. This work details a methodological framework for developing hybrid wearable systems that integrate active textiles with neuromuscular stimulation. The project focuses on the characterisation of active knit architectures and the mapping of these physical properties into predictive computational tools. The talk will overview the proposed system architecture, linking material characterisation, biomechanical simulation, and hybrid control strategies to support personalised gait assistance. Feb 12 2026 13.00 - 14.00 IPAB Workshop - 12/2/2026 Raul Steleac & Elliot Lister
IPAB Workshop - 12/2/2026 Speaker: Raul SteleacTitle: Inter-Agent Relative Representations for Multi-Agent Option Discovery.Abstract: Temporally extended actions improve the ability to explore and plan in single-agent settings. In multi-agent settings, the exponential growth of the joint state space with the number of agents makes coordinated behaviours even more valuable. Yet, this same exponential growth renders the design of multi-agent options particularly challenging. This work proposes a novel joint-state abstraction that compresses the state space while preserving the information necessary to discover strongly coordinated behaviours. This approach builds on the inductive bias that synchronisation over agent states provides a natural foundation for coordination in the absence of an explicit objective. In this talk, I will show how the resulting state synchronisation options lead to stronger downstream coordination capabilities compared to alternative option discovery methods. Speaker: Elliot ListerTitle:Towards Data-Driven Design and Control of Soft Hybrid ExosuitsAbstract:Rigid exoskeletons offer robust support for gait pathologies like foot drop, but their weight and profile often impede daily use. Soft robotics provides a compliant alternative, yet the design of such systems is complicated by the difficulty of modelling soft-material interactions within standard biomechanical environments. This work details a methodological framework for developing hybrid wearable systems that integrate active textiles with neuromuscular stimulation. The project focuses on the characterisation of active knit architectures and the mapping of these physical properties into predictive computational tools. The talk will overview the proposed system architecture, linking material characterisation, biomechanical simulation, and hybrid control strategies to support personalised gait assistance. Feb 12 2026 13.00 - 14.00 IPAB Workshop - 12/2/2026 Raul Steleac & Elliot Lister
