A new article titled "Adaptive connectivity control in networked multi-agent systems: A distributed approach" has been published in the journal PLOS ONE by Marko Križmančić and Stjepan Bogdan on December 2, 2024. This study presents a novel distributed method for managing and controlling connectivity in networked multi-agent systems, contributing significantly to the field of robotics and dynamic system design.

The ITE (ITE), leader of the innovative WatchPlant EU Project , invites you to attend an informative webinar: “WATCHPLANT Final Conference: Biosensor for In Situ Plant Biochemical Analysis – Insights for Environmental Management and Smart Agriculture” on 16th December 2024 from 10:00 to 11:30 CET. This webinar will explore the transformative role of biosensors in monitoring environmental quality through plants. As natural indicators of their environment, plants can provide valuable information on their surroundings by using advanced sensor technology. During the event, experts from CSIC-IRNAS and ITE will share insights on utilizing biosensors for environmental management and smart agriculture. Participants will also witness a live demonstration of a novel sap biosensor, capable of in situ biochemical analysis. Agenda 10:00–10:15 Opening remarks by Laura García Carmona , WATCHPLANT Project Coordinator and Head of Biosensor and Biofuel Cells at ITE 10:15–10:45 Presentation on current strategies and new perspectives for in situ plant monitoring by Virginia Hernandez-Santana , Researcher at Spanish National Research Council (CSIC-IRNAS) 10:45–11:30 Demonstration of advanced solutions for biochemical analysis with the sap biosensor device by Beatriz Lucas Garrote , WATCHPLANT Researcher and Main Researcher at ITE https://lnkd.in/dPyzfGwP https://lnkd.in/dsJi8xT4

On November 22, Robert Milijaš delivered two lectures at Prva gimnazija Varaždin . The first was for high school students participating in the Varaždin County Center of Excellence in Informatics, while the second was presented to the County Professional Council for Informatics and Computing Teachers. Both sessions took place on-site and offered an engaging introduction to programming unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The lectures highlighted the work of the Laboratory for Robotics and Intelligent Control Systems (LARICS) and showcased recent projects. Milijaš provided insights into fieldwork with UAVs, exploring their hardware, software platforms, and components. A key focus was on the Robot Operating System (ROS), its architecture, and its critical role in UAV programming. Attendees also enjoyed a live data demonstration from an operational drone on-site, offering a practical view of UAV capabilities. Milijaš concluded by sharing resources for learning ROS, encouraging further exploration in this cutting-edge field.

Prof. Stjepan Bogdan , has been awarded the IEEE Croatia Section Award for Outstanding Engineering Contribution. The award was presented on November 13, 2024, in recognition of his exceptional work and scientific achievements in the field of unmanned aerial vehicles and aerial robotics. This award highlights Prof. Bogdan's significant contributions to the advancement of autonomous systems and intelligent robotics, and we at LARICS are thrilled to see his work recognized at this level. Congratulations, Prof. Bogdan!

On Tuesday, November 12, 2024, LARICS hosted students from Gimnazija Josipa Slavenskog Čakovec and their Erasmus+ guests from Greece, Poland, Italy, and Lithuania as part of the STEAM for Sustainability project (Application No. KA220-SCH-6619197E). The visit included 21 international students, 8 foreign teachers, 20 local students, and 4 local teachers. During their time at LARICS, students were introduced to key elements of soft robotics, such as sensors, compliant robotic arms, and soft grippers. They learned to create a soft robotic gripper using simple materials like balloons, coffee grounds, and a vacuum pump. The students also enjoyed a game of dodgeball with the robotic arm *Franka* and measured the condition of strawberry plants before winter. The session was led by Milena Jenić , Bruno Marić , Jelena Vuletić , and Matko Orsag , who guided participants through hands-on activities and demonstrations.

On Saturday, November 9, Antonella Barišić Kulaš and Marko Križmančić participated in the Croatian Machine Learning Workshop (CMLW) 2024, an event dedicated to advancing knowledge in Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence. The workshop featured insightful talks by researchers from Google DeepMind, the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge, and the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Computing (FER), University of Zagreb. The one-day event, held at FER in Zagreb, is part of the Eastern European Machine Learning ( EEML ) Workshop series. Its goal is to promote key AI topics, including Deep Learning and Reinforcement Learning, among students, researchers, and professionals in the field. For more details, visit the CMLW website ( https://workshops.eeml.eu/ ).

On November 22, Robert Milijaš will deliver two lectures at Prva Gimnazija Varaždin, first to students interested in the field as part of the Varaždin County Center of Excellence in Informatics for high school students, and then to the County Professional Council for Informatics and Computing Teachers. Both lectures will be held on-site at Prva Gimnazija Varaždin. The lectures will provide an introduction to programming for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including an overview of the Robot Operating System (ROS) and the hardware and software tools used in the Laboratory for Robotics and Intelligent Control Systems (LARICS). Additionally, Milijaš will showcase some of the equipment utilized in LARICS' projects and educational activities. Lecture Highlights: - Brief introduction to LARICS and examples of recent projects - Fieldwork insights: working with UAVs in real-world settings - Drone hardware and components - Software platforms on UAVs - Introduction to ROS (Robot Operating System) and its role in UAV programming - Live data demo from an operational drone on-site - Resources for learning ROS

Stjepan Bogdan, a leading researcher in drone technology, recently participated in the IROS 2024 Workshop held in Abu Dhabi. His presentation, titled *"Autonomous Inspection of Wind-Turbine Blades by UAV"*, highlighted the advancements in using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for the autonomous inspection and maintenance of wind turbines. The talk covered cutting-edge innovations in drone autonomy, sensor integration, and real-time data processing, emphasizing the importance of UAVs in improving efficiency and safety in wind-turbine maintenance. This workshop brought together global experts to discuss the future of drone-assisted infrastructure inspection and maintenance.