Research Platforms

Our Robotic Platforms

At the Soft Robotics Lab, we design robotic platforms that redefine how robots interact with their environments and integrate into real-world applications. Our platforms emphasize adaptability, flexibility, and bioinspiration, pushing the boundaries of robotics across diverse domains.

Biohybrid Swimmers: Our biohybrid swimmers combine synthetic materials with tissue-engineered muscle actuators to create autonomous aquatic robots. These swimmers mimic natural movement, offering groundbreaking applications in environmental monitoring, biodiversity studies, and biohybrid system research.

Soft Robotic Fish: SoFi is the first fully autonomous soft robotic fish, capable of navigating the ocean with a biomimetic tail. Designed for non-invasive exploration of marine life, SoFi has become a hallmark of bioinspired robotics, enabling detailed ecological studies in underwater environments.

Proprioceptive Robotic Hands: Our robotic hands feature embedded sensors and advanced control systems, enabling precise, adaptive manipulation. These hands excel in complex tasks like in-hand manipulation and are powered by reinforcement learning algorithms, paving the way for dexterous solutions in logistics and manufacturing.

Dynamic Robotic Arms: Our soft robotic arms leverage advanced dynamic control algorithms and proprioceptive feedback for fast, precise movement. These arms are capable of handling tasks such as object picking, throwing, and navigating visually occluded environments, showcasing unparalleled flexibility and adaptability.

Electrohydraulic Robotic Legs: Our robotic legs utilize high-performance electrohydraulic actuators, enabling agile, adaptive, and energy-efficient locomotion. These platforms demonstrate the potential for musculoskeletal-inspired robotics in real-world environments.

Aerial Manipulation Platforms: We develop autonomous aerial systems equipped with soft robotic grippers and onboard perception. These platforms excel in outdoor manipulation tasks, achieving high success rates without reliance on external tracking systems.

Wearable Haptic Displays: Our wearable haptic displays integrate tactile feedback with cutting-edge sensor technology to enhance human perception and navigation. These systems are designed for applications ranging from aiding visually impaired individuals to providing immersive sensory experiences in virtual environments.

Our platforms are designed to advance the frontiers of robotics by combining bioinspiration, innovative materials, and intelligent control systems. These technologies enable applications in healthcare, environmental exploration, manufacturing, and human augmentation, bringing robotics closer to real-world integration.