8. Soft robotics¶
Introduction¶
Soft robotics focuses on designing robots with materials that are flexible and adaptive, such as silicone, rubber, or fabrics. Unlike traditional rigid robots, soft robots are inspired by living organisms and offer a higher degree of adaptability. This makes them particularly effective for applications in healthcare, wearable technology, and rescue operations where conventional robots might face challenges.
How They Work¶
Soft robots often imitate biological structures by using specialized actuators like pneumatic or hydraulic systems, shape-memory alloys, or electroactive polymers. These mechanisms enable movement and flexibility, allowing soft robots to handle delicate objects, navigate tight spaces, or safely interact with humans.
Design, fabrication and control of soft robots¶
Daniela Rus and Michael T. Tolley Source
Key Components of Soft Robotics¶
1. Flexible Materials¶
Elastomers, Silicone, and Rubber: Known for their stretchability and durability, these materials form the core of many soft robotic designs. Textiles: Stretchable or responsive fabrics are essential for wearable or fabric-based robots.
2. Actuators¶
Actuators enable movement by reacting to external inputs: -Pneumatic and Hydraulic Actuators: Rely on air or fluid pressure for motion, ideal for precise or powerful applications.
-Shape Memory Alloys (SMA): Metals that reshape themselves when heated.
-Electroactive Polymers (EAP): Polymers that flex or contract under electrical currents.
3. Molds and Tools¶
Creating parts for soft robots involves molding. Silicone and other materials are often shaped using molds, which can be 3D printed or manually crafted.
4. Sensors¶
Soft robots often include sensors to detect touch, pressure, or proximity. Conductive or stretchable materials are frequently used to develop these.
5. Control Systems and Power Sources¶
-Microcontrollers: Devices like Arduino or Raspberry Pi manage actuators and sensors.
-Programming: Languages such as Python or Arduino IDE are used to code their operations.
-Power Supply: Batteries or external sources provide the necessary energy for actuators and sensors.
6. Pumps and Compressors¶
For pneumatic or hydraulic systems, pumps are required to control airflow or liquid movement within the robot.
Inspiration from Soft Robotics Applications¶
Exploring soft robotics reveals how inflatables and other dynamic materials can transform structures.
Notable inspirations include:
Pola Demaniuk:¶
This work explores the kinetic potential of pneumatic actuators applied to garments. Based on soft-robotic principles, the clothing embedded with the wearable structures acquires a property of self-assembly on the body, without or with its minimal intervention. The design development investigates how to relate body and fabric form to the movement performed by the robotic actuators made of laminated woven fabrics.
Saskia Helinska:¶
Known for her Unflatables project, she demonstrates how inflatables redefine design boundaries.
Additionally, advancements like sensor-equipped textiles developed at MIT showcase the potential of integrating robotics with wearables for medical and athletic training.
DIY Soft Robotic Projects¶
Building a simple soft robotic hand is an excellent introduction to the field. Here’s what you’ll need:
• Materials: Paper, double-sided tape, thread, needle, drinking straws, and scissors.
• Steps: The hand's flexibility is achieved through soft actuators, controlled by simple mechanisms like air pressure.
Videos of these projects capture the exciting motion and flexibility of soft robotics in action.
Tools for Soft Robotics Development¶
Software such as Arduino IDE, Fusion 360, Inkscape, and Rhino are commonly used for design and control. These tools allow for precise modeling, programming, and fabrication of soft robotic components.
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weekly assignment
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about your images..delete the tip!!
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Remember to credit/reference all your images to their authors. Open source helps us create change faster together, but we all deserve recognition for what we make, design, think, develop.
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remember to resize and optimize all your images. You will run out of space and the more data, the more servers, the more cooling systems and energy wasted :) make a choice at every image :)
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get inspired!
Check out and research alumni pages to betetr understand how to document and get inspired
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materials comparison - Julija Karas - FabLab Bcn
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Artistic intervention - Riley Cox - TextileLab Amsterdam
Add your fav alumni's pages as references
References & Inspiration¶
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- Two images side-by-side
Tools¶
Process and workflow¶
My hand drawn sketches are ... Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.
Step¶
This model 1 was obtained by..
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Step¶
The laser cut nesting 2 was created using..
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Step¶
...
My hand drawn sketches are ...
This model 1 was obtained by..
The laser cut nesting 2 was created using..
footnote fabrication files
Fabrication files are a necessary element for evaluation. You can add the fabrication files at the bottom of the page and simply link them as a footnote. This was your work stays organised and files will be all together at the bottom of the page. Footnotes are created using [ ^ 1 ] (without spaces, and referenced as you see at the last chapter of this page) You can reference the fabrication files to multiple places on your page as you see for footnote nr. 2 also present in the Gallery.
3D Models¶
upload the 3d models of MakeHuman, Final 3d modelled body, 3D Scans, etc
This schematic [^4] was obtained by..
This tutorial [^5] was created using..
footnote fabrication files
Fabrication files are a necessary element for evaluation. You can add the fabrication files at the bottom of the page and simply link them as a footnote. This was your work stays organised and files will be all together at the bottom of the page. Footnotes are created using [ ^ 1 ] (without spaces, and referenced as you see at the last chapter of this page) You can reference the fabrication files to multiple places on your page as you see for footnote nr. 2 also present in the Gallery.
Code Example¶
Use the three backticks to separate code.
// the setup function runs once when you press reset or power the board
void setup() {
// initialize digital pin LED_BUILTIN as an output.
pinMode(LED_BUILTIN, OUTPUT);
}
// the loop function runs over and over again forever
void loop() {
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, HIGH); // turn the LED on (HIGH is the voltage level)
delay(1000); // wait for a second
digitalWrite(LED_BUILTIN, LOW); // turn the LED off by making the voltage LOW
delay(1000); // wait for a second
}
Results¶
Video¶
From Vimeo¶
Sound Waves from George Gally (Radarboy) on Vimeo.