When Soft Robots get small

Inspired by biological organisms, soft robots need to integrate multiple functionalities on a small footprint to achieve autonomous operation. Due to size limitations, soft robotic design principles are even more stringent for small-scale soft robots (<5 cm, <5 g), where fabrication limitations necessitate a further reduction of the number of components to a bare minimum. However, such constraints are also the driving motivation that is pushing research efforts towards the development of new smart materials and actuation mechanisms. Smart and biohybrid materials, 4D processes and hybrid manufacturing are thus being combined with embodied design strategies to form tiny soft robotic systems with unprecedented performances. In recent years, this philosophy has led to the development of small-scale soft robots (SSSR’s) that display a variety of locomotion and fluid propulsion strategies. Such systems are foreseen to play a key role in applications oriented towards the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation, like “Good Health and Well-Being” and “Climate Action”. This workshop aims to highlight the recent advances of SSSR, from new materials and fabrication processes to actuation mechanisms and functional embodiment, and to provide a forum for researchers of diverse backgrounds to discuss  the recent achievements and draw the future research lines to promote the further development of the field.

This event will be held hybrid. Click on Registration for more information.

 Panel Discussion

The workshop aims at promoting experts discussions around these central questions:

• Compared to rigid-driven microrobots, what unique functions can SSRR’s achieve?

• What are the main challenges SSRR’s are facing? 

• How can SSRR’s demonstrate animal-like multimodal locomotion? 

• How can SSRR’s leverage or overcome surface effects (electrostatic, capillary) during locomotion or manipulation?

We invite all the attendees to participate to our final round table discussion!

Please do not forget to attend also our Workshop of the morning session! 

Additive Manufacturing and Novel Fabrication Techniques of Small-Scale Soft Robotics