6. Soft Robotics¶
Research¶
After the presentation of the topic and the class, I rescue the idea of soft robotics as structures that have this ''soft'' characteristic associated to the soft and flexible contact that different organisms present in nature and that therefore, when interacting with the human body feel much more familiar and closer, natural and less invasive. Contrary to the rigid and cold structures of the traditional idea we have, these mechanisms and structures, presented through different materials that are soft to the touch, are a new way of interacting. Biomimicry and bionics are concepts that we see very present when developing this type of designs and solutions to different problems. This relationship of nature + technology + textiles is very appealing to me, and although they have had a broader development in the field of medicine, the applications are endless.
weekly assignment
Check out the weekly assignment here or login to your NuEval progress and evaluation page.
References & Inspiration¶
Both in the classroom and in various online pages, I was investigating interesting examples of the application of the principle of soft robotics. Starting from natural structures that, by their nature, can generate different types of movement, to applications that integrate electronic circuits. I was very interested in the work of Pola Demianiuk, where she conceives garments that can be adapted to the body of the person by means of inflatables. Both the construction of the garment and the specific location of the air channels allow this clothing to close over the body, facilitating access, especially for people with reduced mobility, for example. This user-centered approach gave me insight into how clothing can change its focus to a more functional one, in balance with aesthetics.
I also found the work of In & Motion, who developed a backpack, The Stan pack, that works like other inflatable backpacks, helmets and vests, but it's aimed to give the everyday bike commuter more complete protection around the head, neck, chest and back. It's also designed to work seamlessly as a commuter backpack, carrying a laptop and other everyday work necessities. With the support of various sensors, the backpack can be activated in less than a second as soon as it detects a fall. Under this same concept, Terese Alstin and Anna Haupt developed Hövding, an inflatable helmet that expands from a neck brace. A more portable and discreet way of wearing a helmet but with the same effectiveness in the event of a potential fall.
Digging a little deeper, this study on machine weaving for the creation of powered soft objects invites us to explore various ways in which through, the very nature of weaving, one can integrate and develop ''tendons'' that power the fabric, as well as integrate textures, sensors, and delve into the properties of the fabric. I was struck by the term associated with the research mentioning computational craftsmanship and CCS - Human Centered Computing, the latter similar to what we see in industrial design.
Going more to the fashion side, an interesting reference is Kunihiko Morinaga, founder of the Anrealage brand already known for integrating technology in his collections. One of his collections, WIND, makes use of fans that inflate the clothes, providing an atmosphere of fresh air, giving a new dimension and silhouette to the clothes. The designs play with the idea of wind as an invisible but powerful force that transforms the garments in real time. Although we could say that the use of this inflatable feature is more aesthetic, I consider that its application is relevant, giving a new look at how textiles interact with the body.
From the previous research, and according to what we saw in class, we have several soft and flexible materials with which it is possible to work from the construction of air channels, or through connections with sensors that generate a response in the structure, either by changing its size, or by generating contraction and expansion movements mainly. Among the materials observed are: knitted fabrics, TPU, PVC, plastic and metallic films, paper and silicone.
First Tests¶
Starting with 2D inflatables, according to theory the most accessible way to make one was to use materials that can be fused with the action of heat, an indispensable requirement to create a chamber or vacuum duct through which air could circulate. For this I could use a baking paper as a layer between both pieces of material, or also using the laser, but taking care of the parameters so as not to cut the material.
I went for the first option and made 3 small tests to test the theory and see how the material behaved before making a larger structure. Since it was a rapid prototyping, I cut by hand the baking paper, the pvc and a plastic film that I found. The channels were branched and crescent shaped, plus one that had rather large round spaces.
- I placed an entrance so that it would be easier to insert a straw or tube through which the air could enter.
- I heated the homemade iron for the test at the maximum temperature, approx. 100°.
- In the case of the pcv, I placed the shiny, plastic side inwards so that it could fuse with the other side, while the paper went in the middle.
- In the case of the metallic film, the shiny side was facing inwards.
In general they worked quite well, although the air did not flow all the way to the last space. The metallic film one caught my attention, it seems to me that it has potential.
Silicon first test¶
TEST SERIE BIO-PLASTIC¶
RESULTS¶
_Two ways of showcasing and comparing results with images