Researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design have combined two different approaches to create integrated workflows to develop automatic novel processes to design and make custom soft robots. The method developed by the team can be applied to other soft robots that allow mechanical properties to be adjusted in an easy and easily accessible way. Soft robots are the main field of study throughout the world because soft robots are very good working in the environment with humans and are more flexible.
Soft robots are inspired by flexible forms of living organisms and have extensive applications for sensing, movements, grasping objects and manipulations, and more. Usually, soft robots are made using manual casting techniques, which limit the complexity and geometry which can be achieved by researchers. For new robots, the team uses 3D printing or manufacturing additives to expel various material inks in the supporting matrix.
This process is very suitable for making soft robots made of several materials or composite. Teams use topology optimization to ensure their soft robots are designed optimally using mathematical models to design a structure of Kipkok in a series of certain obstacles. Optimizing two steps into one framework allows the author to develop an integrated workflow to make custom soft robots while minimizing potential mistakes.
In their study, the team used autonomous swimming robots inspired by Batoids. Workflow starts by defining robot fin geometry before topological optimization is used to produce a design structure with the desired properties in the prescribed material and motion constraints. The design is transformed into the code that is read by a specially made 3D printer that makes a robot.
The soft robot is designed to survive the marine environment, and this approach focuses on adjusting fin composition to assess how changes can affect the performance of robot swimming. The researchers found after optimization that composite fins were optimized 50 percent faster than partners with traditional soft casting fins. It’s also a little faster than the robot that displays hard fins.
