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Soft robotics is a game-changer in the field of robotics, breaking away from rigid, mechanical designs to create flexible, adaptive systems that mimic natural movement. Unlike traditional robots, soft robotics draws from biology and material science, allowing the development of machines that can bend, stretch, and respond to their environment with unprecedented sensitivity and resilience. This approach not only enhances the adaptability of robots but also opens up new possibilities for human-robot interaction, safe healthcare applications, and environmental sensing. In Fabricademy, soft robotics intersects with material innovation, biomimicry, and digital fabrication, fostering an environment where design, technology, and sustainability unite.
The importance of soft robotics lies in its potential for widespread applications across various fields, from wearable technology and medical devices to exploratory tools in challenging environments like underwater ecosystems or disaster zones. This field’s integration of sustainable, customizable materials aligns with Fabricademy’s commitment to eco-conscious design and advanced manufacturing techniques. Developing soft robotics encourages us to rethink traditional manufacturing processes and opens the door to creating more inclusive, responsive technology. As an evolving field, it demonstrates how robotics can adapt to the complexities of our world, driving forward the next wave of innovation and accessibility.
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THE INCREDIBLE POTENTIAL OF FLEXIBLE, SOFT ROBOTS
To introduce you to the exciting world of soft robotics, I suggest starting with this video. Giada Gerboni explores how soft robots—designed to be flexible and adaptable—are opening up new possibilities in fields like surgery and medicine.
These robots, inspired by nature, move in ways traditional, rigid robots simply can’t. The video will give you a glimpse into how this technology is revolutionizing what robots can do, from transforming healthcare to changing how we interact with machines. It’s an inspiring look at the future of robotics, where flexibility meets innovation to create solutions we once thought impossible.
VINE ROBOTS FOR EXPLORATION AND RESCUE
The Vine Robot inspired me with its ability to “grow” through obstacles, rather than just pushing past them. Seeing a robot mimic nature in this way sparked so many ideas for search and rescue, or even environmental work in places too dangerous for humans.
Its adaptability in tough terrains felt like watching nature in action—showing me that soft robotics could change the way we think about exploration itself. This project encouraged me to think of soft robotics as tools to overcome barriers, opening a door to technologies that are resilient, resourceful, and ready to tackle the unknown.
MIT’S 3D-PRINTED SOFT-ROBOTIC HEARTS
The 3D-printed robotic hearts from MIT blew me away. Knowing that they’ve found a way to create patient-specific, functional heart models is inspiring—it’s soft robotics with a true human impact. Seeing how these soft-robotic hearts can simulate a real heartbeat resonated deeply with me, reinforcing the idea that technology should work in harmony with our bodies.
This project made me dream about how soft robotics could be tailored to individual needs, providing comfort, precision, and new hope in medicine—showing the full potential of soft robotics as a life-saving, life-enhancing innovation.
THE WORLD'S FIRST NON-ELECTRIC TOUCHPAD
Imagine a world where devices can sense touch without the need for electricity. Researchers at Tampere University have made this a reality with a soft silicone touchpad that can detect force, area, and location of contact—all without electricity.
This groundbreaking technology uses pneumatic channels, making it ideal for extreme conditions like MRI machines, where electronics can’t function. The touchpad’s potential goes beyond just sensing touch; it could power soft robots, advanced prosthetic hands, and wearable devices for rehabilitation. It opens the door to a future where sensitive, adaptable technology exists in environments once thought impossible.
UNLEASHING THE STRETCHABILITY OF SOFT ROBOTS
What if robots could stretch and adapt as easily as human skin? At Yale University, Prof. Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio and her team are making this a reality by developing stretchable electronics that can be embedded into soft robots. These devices are not only flexible, but they also maintain their computing power—bridging the gap between rigid electronics and soft robot components.
Their work paves the way for wearable devices and robots that can stretch without losing functionality, with applications in everything from search-and-rescue missions to healthcare. The future of soft robots just became a lot more dynamic.
SOFT ROBOT CAN DETECT DAMAGE AND HEAL ITSELF
Researchers at Cornell University, led by Rob Shepherd, have developed a groundbreaking soft robot that can detect damage and heal itself. By combining optical sensors with a self-healing material, the robot can identify when it's punctured or cut and repair itself within a minute, adjusting its movements to continue its tasks.
This innovation opens up new possibilities for robots to work in remote and harsh environments, like deep underwater or in space, where human help isn't an option. As the technology evolves, it could allow robots to become even more resilient and versatile, using machine learning to enhance their capabilities and autonomously manage damage.
A NEW ERA FOR REHABILITATION AND HUMAN-ROBOT COLLABORATION
One of the most exciting discoveries for me this week was the talk by Antonio Bicchi at the Hi! PARIS Symposium 2024. His research on the transformation of robotics, especially in the realm of soft bionics, resonated deeply with me. The shift from traditional, heavy industrial robots to softer, more adaptive machines that can work alongside humans is truly groundbreaking. The idea that these soft bionic devices can become part of our bodies, providing real-time feedback and mirroring natural human movements, feels like a game-changer for the future.
Bicchi’s work on using soft robotics for rehabilitation, particularly in prosthetics and conditions like upper motor neuron syndrome, is a field that could have a profound impact on healthcare. Learning about how these advancements are making robots more intuitive and safer, and can even be integrated into our daily lives, has been incredibly inspiring.
Learn much more about The Robotic Finger Ready to Check Your Pulse, Origami-Inspired Artificial Muscles, Bio-Inspired Wearable Robotics for Fashion Technology, Soft Robot Camouflage System and Festo – BionicSoftHand.
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My first way of exploring Soft Robotics was with an origami balloon and a plastic straw. Because of their ability to change shape without rigid components, the origami balloon — made out of a single sheet of paper — make for an ideal model to study the principles of soft robotics. Using the straw to poke the balloon, I was able to produce a system where air could be sucked in or blown out easily, so I could observe the shape and behavior of the structure in reaction to and interaction with internal pressure. How to make an origami paper balloon?
This relationship between air pressure and pliable material emphasized how soft robotics draws on flexibility and minimalism to imitate biological motion. It was a cheap and insightful experiment, showing how you can examine basic principles of physics and engineering with commonly available materials.
Unlike traditional rigid robots, soft robotics prioritizes flexibility, which makes them ideal for applications requiring gentle interaction, like handling fragile objects or navigating complex environments. The balloon's ability to fold and unfold showcases how soft robotics can achieve significant motion and function with minimal input, making it a scalable and versatile concept for future exploration. This experiment provided a hands-on introduction to the world of soft robotics, sparking ideas for more advanced designs that integrate similar principles.
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Inspired by the upcoming Christmas season, I experimented with soft robotics by creating inflatable snowflakes. I laser-cut baking paper into snowflake shapes and placed it between two layers of vinyl.
To enable inflation, I added a tube covered with a shrink tube to prevent melting during the sealing process.
Using an iron, I fused the vinyl layers, ensuring the snowflake design was securely encapsulated. Once the vinyl cooled, I inflated the structure by blowing air through the tube, causing the snowflake to expand into a three-dimensional form.
The experiment highlighted several technical details. The baking paper provided structure and helped define the snowflake shape during inflation, while the shrink tube protected the air tube from damage during the high-temperature sealing process. However, using an excessively high iron temperature caused the vinyl surface to warp slightly, affecting the final appearance. Despite this issue, the process demonstrated how simple materials and techniques could create interactive designs.
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I decided to create my own design for soft robotics, drawing inspiration from clouds and lollipops. My goal was to design a structure with interconnected bubbles, resembling the playful and airy qualities of these inspirations. Using CorelDRAW, I sketched numerous circles and connected them with curved lines to form a continuous network. This design required precision to ensure the air could flow smoothly between the bubbles while maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the piece.
Once the design was finalized, I prepared the materials. I laser-cut baking paper into the shape of my bubble network and used a vinyl cutter to cut the vinyl sheets for the project. Following the same process as in my previous experiment, I sandwiched the baking paper between two layers of vinyl, added a tube for inflation (covered with shrink tubing for protection), and sealed the layers with an iron.
Each step was carefully executed to replicate the methods I had already tested while incorporating the new, more intricate design.
The final result, however, did not function as intended. The thin lines connecting the bubbles in my design were too narrow, restricting the airflow and preventing the bubbles from inflating properly. This limitation highlighted the importance of considering both aesthetics and functionality in soft robotics design.
Despite the outcome, the experiment provided valuable insights into designing air channels and reinforced the need for iterative adjustments to improve the functionality of future creations.
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In soft robotics, it's crucial to choose the right type of silicone, and Shore hardness plays a significant role in ensuring the material has the desired flexibility and durability. We selected two types of silicone—Shore 0 and Shore 5—because they provide the right balance of flexibility for creating soft structures while maintaining enough strength to be functional. Shore 0 offers an extremely soft, highly flexible material, while Shore 5 gives a slightly firmer consistency that still allows for significant deformation, making them ideal choices for our soft robotics applications.
For our group experiment, we wanted to explore the properties of the silicone materials we had available. These silicones were sourced from a local online store and were from a Russian manufacturer. To start the trial, we chose to work with existing molds in the lab, which were initially made for the Fabricademy Bootcamp 2024. These molds provided a good starting point for testing the silicone's behavior and its ability to form functional soft robotic structures.
After casting the silicone into the molds, we carefully connected the two parts using the same silicone to seal them. Once the molds were securely closed, we used a compressor to blow air into the silicone and test its ability to move and inflate.
The result was a lot of fun! The soft robots inflated as expected, and we were able to observe the movement and flexibility of the silicone as it responded to the air pressure.
This experiment gave us valuable insights into how different silicones work with soft robotics designs and how their shore hardness impacts the final structure’s functionality and behavior.
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For my next experiment, I aimed to replicate the movement of the Armenian cochineal using soft robotics principles.
I designed a mold to cast the silicone, but instead of air, I intended to implement colored liquid into the structure to mimic the cochineal’s fluid-like motion. To create the mold, I laser-cut 3mm and 5mm acrylic sheets, carefully assembling them to form a precise cavity for casting. This mold would provide the framework for shaping the silicone while leaving space for the liquid to flow inside, which was integral to achieving the desired dynamic effect in the final piece.
I mixed the A and B components of the Shore 0 silicone, following the recommended ratio, and poured it into the mold. After allowing it to set for a day, I found that the silicone didn’t cure as expected. Instead of becoming firm, it remained tacky and pliable, making it difficult to handle and impossible to bond. Several factors could have contributed to this result: the mixing ratio might have been off, or the curing environment (such as temperature or humidity) could have interfered with the setting process. Additionally, Shore 0 silicone is extremely soft and may require a longer curing time to achieve the desired firmness.
While this project faced some setbacks, I was concurrently working on another project that showed more promising results, allowing me to learn from the challenges and continue experimenting.
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For my final attempt in soft robotics this week, I decided to implement my cloud bubble design into an acrylic mold to cast silicone and test its ability to pop up with air. I first designed the mold, carefully planning its structure to accommodate the bubble shapes.
After designing, I laser-cut 3mm and 5mm acrylic sheets and glued the parts together to form a secure mold. This time, I chose silicone with Shore 5 hardness, which provides a firmer consistency, offering more stability for the design.
Once the mold was ready, I used the silicone to glue the two parts of the mold together, ensuring a tight seal. With the help of my colleague, we injected air into the silicone using a compressor and a needle.
The result was more than satisfying—when the needle was removed, the soft robot maintained its shape and held the air inside, just as intended. The bubbles popped up and stayed inflated, demonstrating that the silicone could effectively form a flexible, functional structure.
This success marked a significant step forward in my exploration of soft robotics, showing the potential for air-driven deformation and stability in soft robotic designs.