Advancing Soft Robotics Fabrication via Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing for Enhanced Sensing and Actuation

Whether conforming safely with the movements of humans, executing adaptable motion to navigate unpredictable terrain, or handling delicate objects with precision, soft robots are revolutionizing the way machines interact with the world. Soft robots take inspiration from biological systems, incorporating soft and stretchable materials to achieve lifelike motion. However, the fabrication of these advanced systems requires equally advanced manufacturing capabilities. This collaborative project between the University of Alberta’s IMPACT Lab and UC San Diego’s Bioinspired Robotics Lab aims to improve the way that soft robots are designed and made using next generation 3D printing techniques. By developing new methods to print soft and flexible materials, we aim to create better 3D printable pneumatic actuators, sensors, and valves. These components make up soft robotic building blocks which can be combined to design fully 3D printable soft robots capable of complex logic and tasks. The project will involve both hardware development and material optimization to enhance the performance of 3D printed soft robots. The knowledge gained from this collaboration will benefit both institutions by improving fabrication techniques, enabling new robotic applications, and strengthening international research partnerships.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dan Sameoto

Student:

Partner:

University of California, San Diego

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Alberta

Program: