Vincent Lebastard
Institut Mines-Télécom, École Centrale de Nantes, École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, École Nationale Supérieure d'Architecture de Nantes, Nantes Université, Laboratoire de Thermique et Energie de Nantes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Laboratoire des Sciences du Numérique de Nantes, Vivant (United States), Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternatives, IMT Atlantique
Papers
40
Total Citations
857
H-Index
17
About
Vincent Lebastard is a French robotics researcher whose work spans two richly interconnected domains: bioinspired underwater sensing and the mechanics of continuum and soft robots. His early career established him as a pioneering figure in electric sense robotics, where he developed sensor models and navigation strategies inspired by weakly electric fish — species that perceive their environment through self-generated electric fields. This foundational work, beginning with his 2011 sensor model paper (58 citations) and extending through underwater navigation, electrolocation, and multi-robot coordination, demonstrated that electric sense could serve as a viable alternative to vision and sonar in turbid or confined aquatic environments. His contributions to the EU-funded subCULTron project further showcased his commitment to collective underwater robot autonomy. In parallel, Lebastard has made significant theoretical contributions to continuum and soft robotics. His 2020 strain parameterization approach to Cosserat beam dynamics has become a landmark reference in the field, accumulating 185 citations and offering a principled framework for modeling flexible manipulators and locomotors. Subsequent work connecting Cosserat rod theory with optimal control and Lagrangian mechanics (48–62 citations) has cemented his reputation as a leading voice in the mathematical modeling of next-generation soft robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Dynamics of Continuum and Soft Robots: A Strain Parameterization Based Approach185 citations · 2020
- 2
- 3Model for a Sensor Inspired by Electric Fish58 citations · 2011
- 4
- 5
- 6An underwater reconfigurable robot with bioinspired electric sense39 citations · 2012
- 7
- 8subCULTron - Cultural Development as a Tool in Underwater Robotics31 citations · 2018
- 9Electrolocation Sensors in Conducting Water Bio-Inspired by Electric Fish27 citations · 2013
- 10Electric Sensor-Based Control of Underwater Robot Groups24 citations · 2014