8. Soft robotics

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.

References & Inspiration

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.

Sheila Patek - Duke University: Although her focus is biomechanics, her research on the movements and materials of marine animals has influenced the design of soft robots. Her studies have provided valuable insights into how to apply soft tissue structures to robots made from flexible materials.

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/)

Process and workflow

Experiment with three different shapes using heat transfer vinyl, using 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 paper towel 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.