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An integrated design and fabrication strategy for entirely soft, autonomous robots
Michael Wehner1,2, Ryan L Truby1,2, Daniel J Fitzgerald1,2
1John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA.
Nature
|August 26, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed a completely soft robot capable of untethered operation. This novel soft robot utilizes microfluidic logic for autonomous control and actuation, paving the way for fully soft autonomous systems.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Microfluidics
Background:
- Conventional robots rely on rigid materials, limiting their capabilities.
- Existing soft robots require tethering to rigid control systems and power sources.
- Developing completely soft, autonomous robots is a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the untethered operation of a robot made entirely of soft materials.
- To introduce a microfluidic logic system for autonomous control of soft robots.
- To lay the foundation for fully soft, autonomous robotic systems.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of the robot body using molding and soft lithography.
- Integration of microfluidic logic for autonomous regulation of fuel decomposition.
- Utilizing multi-material, embedded 3D printing for patterning internal components.
Main Results:
- Achieved untethered operation of a robot composed solely of soft materials.
- Demonstrated autonomous control via microfluidic logic regulating on-board fuel.
- Successfully generated actuation through gas inflation of fluidic networks.
Conclusions:
- The developed technology enables completely soft, autonomous robots.
- The integrated design and fabrication approach allows for programmable assembly of multiple materials.
- This work overcomes the limitations of tethered soft robotic systems.
