Soft robots have a distinct advantage over their rigid forebears: they can adapt to complex environments, handle fragile objects and interact safely with humans. Made from silicone, rubber or other stretchable polymers, they are ideal for use in rehabilitation exoskeletons and robotic clothing. Soft bio-inspired robots could one day be deployed to explore remote or…
LA R&D office opens new chapter for gripper maker OnRobot
OnRobot, which nakes grippers for cobots and industrial robots, is opening a new R&D office in LA. We spoke with the former CEO of Perception Robotics about OnRobot’s strategy.
Researchers develop self-healing soft robotics that ‘feel pain’
Researchers from the University of Cambridge will use self-healing materials and machine learning to develop soft robotics as part of a new collaborative project. The goal of the €3 million Self-healing soft robot (SHERO) project, funded by the European Commission, is to create a next-generation robot made from self-healing materials (flexible plastics) that can detect…
Roach-inspired robot shares insect’s speed, toughness
A new insect-sized robot from UC Berkeley can scurry across the floor nearly as fast as a roach, and it’s also difficult to crush. It could be useful for search-and-rescue missions, say researchers.
Soft robots controlled by magnets, light in new research
North Carolina State University and Elon University researchers have found that light and magnets can be used to control a soft robot and even reconfigure it.
XoSoft exoskeleton gives users quasi-passive actuation
A lot of people have lower limb mobility impairments, but there are few wearable technologies to enable them to walk normally while performing tasks of daily living. XoSoft, a European funded project, has brought together partners from all over Europe to develop a flexible, lightweight and resource-efficient soft exoskeleton prototype. Frail elderly, incomplete spinal cord…
Artificial muscles based on MIT fibers could make robots more responsive
New MIT system of contracting fibers could be a boon for biomedical devices and robotics.
Programmable soft actuators show potential of soft robotics at TU Delft
Researchers at TU Delft have developed soft actuators that could help soft robots collaborate with humans.
Soft Robotics adds Mini Finger to mGrip system for picking in tight spaces
Soft Robotics describes its new Mini Finger, which is designed to enable soft robot grippers to get into tighter spaces than ever before. It is part of the company’s modular mGrip system.
Piab’s piSOFTGRIP vacuum-based soft gripper handles delicate objects
The piSOFTGRIP from Piab is vacuum-controlled, comes with a stainless-steel fitting, and is made of food-grade silicone.
Innovative fingers hold promise for assistive robotics, prosthetics
A Canadian researcher has developed soft robotic fingers that use 3D printing to “tune” the rigidity of the fingers to make them both strong and sensitive.
Harvard’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering receives $131M gift from founder
Harvard graduate Hansjörg Wyss has given another major donation to support the Wyss Institute’s mission of developing and commercializing robotics and healthcare technologies.
ReWalk Robotics wins CE Mark for ReStore soft exoskeleton
ReWalk Robotics has won CE Mark clearance in the European Union for its ReStore soft exo-suit designed for use in stroke rehabilitation. The Marlborough, Mass.-based company touted the clearance as the first for a soft exo-suit in the region. The ReStore exo-suit features a soft, garment-like design and is intended to adaptively synchronize with a…
Hank robot from Cambridge Consultants offers sensitive grip to industrial challenges
The Hank robot from Cambridge Consultants combines a soft grip with sensors to approach the dexterity of the human hand, which has been a “grand challenge” for the warehouse and agriculture industries.
Wall-climbing robot inspired by the soft body of a leech
An international team of researchers has developed a climbing robot inspired by land leeches. The soft, flexible robots could be useful for infrastructure inspection and search-and-rescue applications.
Snake-inspired robot uses kirigami for swifter slithering
A new programmable metamaterial using kirigami, the Japanese art of paper folding, can more efficiently change its shape to crawl, said Harvard researchers.
Food robotics pioneers take orders for growing industry appetite
Attendees and speakers at a food robotics event in San Francisco discussed the biggest challenges facing developers and users of robots and AI for cooking, delivery, and tracking.
OnRobot acquires Blue Workforce assets, robotics developers
Two more Danish robot makers merged, as OnRobot acquired the intellectual property and some staffers from bankrupt Blue Workforce. OnRobot plans to become a one-stop shop for collaborative robots.
Schunk Expert Days reveal state of robotics
One of the things I like about attending Schunk’s annual two-day International Expert Days conference is that it covers a range of topics. From conversations with speakers, exhibitors, and fellow attendees, I get a feel for what users need and the challenges robot and gripper makers face in meeting those needs. Another attraction is that…
How sea slugs could lead to more energy-efficient robots
Keynotes | Agenda | Speakers | Exhibitors | Register What do pizza slices, sea slugs and one possible design for future soft-bodied robots have in common? They all have frilly surfaces, and new insights about the surprising geometry of frilly surfaces may help a future generation of energy-efficient and extremely flexible soft-body robots move. The…
Festo’s Bionic robots merge pneumatics, artificial intelligence
Whether it’s grabbing, holding or turning, touching, typing or pressing — in everyday life, we use our hands as a matter of course for the most diverse tasks. In that regard, the human hand, with its unique combination of power, dexterity, and fine motor skills, is a true miracle tool of nature. What could be…
Robotics cluster in Odense, Denmark, offers metrics for growth
What makes a robotics cluster successful? Proximity to university research and talent, government support of entrepreneurship, and a focus on industry end users are all important. Around the world, regions have proclaimed initiatives to become “the next Silicon Valley.” However, there have been relatively few metrics to describe robotics hubs — until now. This week,…