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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
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Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery
Published on: November 14, 2015
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Variable Stiffness Fibers Enabled Universal and Programmable Re-Foldability Strategy for Modular Soft Robotics
Hengxuan Luan1, Meng Wang2, Qiang Zhang1
1College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Shandong University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266590, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|December 29, 2023
Summary
Researchers developed a programmable strategy for re-foldable soft origami actuators. This innovation enables multimode morphing capabilities in soft robots, enhancing their versatility and adaptability.
Area of Science:
- Robotics
- Materials Science
- Mechanical Engineering
Background:
- Origami principles inspire soft actuators with complex deformations.
- Achieving re-foldability in soft origami actuators presents a significant engineering challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a universal and programmable strategy for re-foldable soft origami actuators.
- To enable multimode morphing capabilities within a single soft actuator.
Main Methods:
- Integration of multiple origami patterns into a single soft actuator.
- Selective activation/deactivation of origami creases using variable stiffness fibers.
- Demonstration of programmability in crease pattern quantity and types.
Main Results:
- Development of a series of re-foldable soft origami actuators.
- Expansion of morphing modes and deformation ranges without increasing actuator size.
- Successful construction of a bidirectional crawling robot and a multimode soft gripper.
Conclusions:
- The reported strategy offers a universal approach to multifunctional soft actuators.
- This advancement holds significant potential for agile and versatile soft robot design.
- Programmable re-foldability enhances the adaptability of soft robotic systems.
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