8. Soft robotics¶

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Octopus

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Research¶

Soft robotics is an approach in robotics focused on designing and building robots with soft and flexible materials, inspired by biology and the properties of living organisms. Unlike traditional robots, which are usually made from rigid materials like metal or hard plastic, soft robots use elastic and adaptable materials such as silicone, rubber, or even smart materials that can change shape.

These soft robots are designed to be safe for close interactions with humans, making them ideal for delicate tasks or environments where rigid materials might be harmful or inefficient. For example, soft robots can be used in medical applications, like prosthetics that adapt to the natural movements of the body, or in underwater exploration, where flexible materials allow the robot to move more fluidly and conform to uneven surfaces.

Soft robotics also mimics the movements of living beings, such as the stretching of an octopus tentacle or the grip of a human hand, enabling them to perform complex tasks with a gentle, adaptable touch.

Robert Wood - Harvard University: Wood leads the Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering, where he researches soft robotics and the design of robots inspired by living organisms. His team has developed soft robots and microrobots capable of performing complex movements, inspired by insects and octopuses.

Daniela Rus - MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology): As director of the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Rus has led research on soft robots, developing flexible, autonomous, and reconfigurable devices. Her team has created everything from soft robotic arms to edible robots.
George M. Whitesides - Harvard University: A chemist and pioneer in soft robotics, Whitesides has been instrumental in developing soft robots made from materials like silicone and rubber, applying principles of materials chemistry to create flexible and accessible robots in terms of manufacturing.
Cecilia Laschi - BioRobotics Institute at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Italy: Laschi is known for her research in bio-inspired robotics, especially in robots that mimic the movements of marine creatures such as octopuses. Her research has contributed to the development of flexible, underwater robots.
Fumiya Iida - University of Cambridge: Iida leads the Bio-Inspired Robotics Laboratory, where he explores soft and bio-inspired robotics, emphasizing how flexible materials and designs can improve robot adaptability and responsiveness.

Soft Robots

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References & Inspiration¶

Breaking Techno-Mediated Habits explores how technology, particularly networked devices, impacts our spatial experience and sociability through the concept of 'extended cognition,' where the body and its technological extensions expand cognitive abilities. In an era of rapid technological evolution, our behaviors and interactions are increasingly shaped by devices, leading to new, sometimes unconscious, habits. The work introduces speculative inflatable devices designed to disrupt or generate new tech-driven behaviors, fostering alternative ways to interact with technology and our environments.

The prototypes address various aspects of modern life, such as work, mobility, air quality, and social diversity. Devices like 'Lax' interrupt stressful workflows in workplaces, 'Detext' encourages context awareness while on the move, 'Airborne' monitors air pollution, 'Meetspace' facilitates diverse social encounters, and 'Z-shell' promotes mindful bedtime rituals. These speculative designs aim to challenge our habitual interactions, encourage self-reflection, and inspire a more conscious relationship with our technologies and spaces. By using design fictions, the work pushes for a critical reevaluation of the impact of networked life on our daily routines and the spaces we inhabit.

Detext is meant to remind the user to look up from their phone in instances like walking or driving by inflating to lift the head upward/ Meetspace' is a tangible interface that exploits our habitual online 'filter bubbles' in reverse to initiate encounters that celebrate socio-political diversity in urban space.

Detext on the right, Meetspace on the left

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Jiabao Li is an assistant professor of design at the University of Texas at Austin. Her work focuses on topics such as climate change, interspecies co-creation, human technology, and building a sustainable and just future. She utilizes a variety of media, including wearable technology, robotics, AR/VR, projections, software, and installations.

She is the co-founder and product director of Endless Health and was a researcher at Apple for four years, contributing to the development of technologies such as the Apple Vision Pro. Her work has been exhibited internationally at venues like MoMA, the Venice Architecture Biennale, and Ars Electronica. She has received multiple awards, including Forbes China 30 Under 30 and the iF Design Award.

Tactile Vision

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Resources¶

- [Soft robotics: new perspectives for robot bodyware and control](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/bioengineering-and-biotechnology/articles/10.3389/fbioe.2014.00003/full)
- [Octobot: A Soft, Autonomous Robot](https://wyss.harvard.edu/media-post/octobot-a-soft-autonomous-robot/)
- [Soft Robotics Tool kit](https://softroboticstoolkit.com/)

Process and workflow¶

Experiment with three different shapes using heat transfer vinyl, baking paper towel to create the inflation space.

Overlapping Geometric Shapes:

Description : Cut the vinyl into basic geometric shapes like circles, triangles, and squares of different sizes.
Process: Layer the shapes on top of each other, placing baking paper between them to create space for inflation, and apply heat to adhere them.
Expected Results: Thicker areas may inflate more slowly or hold more air, creating bulging, firm sections, while thinner areas may inflate quickly and provide flexibility, causing the object to have a mixed, dynamic shape. The air may naturally seek to fill the least resistant areas first, creating an uneven distribution of air flow.

Tutorial on Creating a Soft Robot using Adhesive Vinyl and Parchment Paper¶

In this tutorial, you will learn how to create a small soft robotics prototype using adhesive vinyl and parchment paper. This approach is simple and accessible, perfect for beginners or quick research projects in soft robotics.

Materials Needed:¶

Adhesive vinyl (preferably black or translucent for greater flexibility)
Parchment paper (also known as wax paper or baking paper)
Scissors or craft knife
Liquid silicone (or strong glue, if needed for certain connections)
Air pump or syringe
Small tubes (if needed for air connections)
Masking tape or double-sided tape
Air source (small pump or syringe to inject air)
Soldering iron (if you need to make seals or thermal connections on the vinyl)
Work surface (for assembling your project)

process

1. Design the Soft Robot¶

First, you need to design the shape your soft robot will take. Soft robots are characterized by their ability to deform and adapt to their environment by controlling internal pressures (air). You can make a simple design of a "little arm" or "finger" robot that inflates to move.

Draw a design of the structure on paper or on your computer.
Remember that the vinyl and parchment paper will be the main components that deform with the internal pressure.

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2. Cut the Adhesive Vinyl¶

Once you have the design, cut out the pieces you need fro#m the vinyl.

If you don’t have access to a cutting plotter, use scissors or a craft knife to cut.
Be sure to cut the pieces with enough space for deformation. You’ll need at least two layers of vinyl to make it strong enough.

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3. Create the Air Chambers¶

The air chambers are what will allow the robot to inflate and move. To do this, use the vinyl to make two layers:

Glue the vinyl layers together, leaving a small opening for inserting air.
Make sure to leave an empty space between the two layers of vinyl to form the air chamber that will inflate.
If you want more control over the robot’s movements, you can create multiple chambers in different areas.

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