This research aims to create the first generation of soft robots, having a hardware encoded control scheme. Particularly, it focuses on the design and development of multi-segmented elastic inflatable actuators, where an inflation sequence of interconnected soft structures occurs without the need of valves and other active components, but because of the interaction between the nonlinearities of the soft structures themselves finely tuned in morphology and material. The valveless approach makes this technology suitable for downscaling to the micro-size where sequencing is paramount to generate locomotion of soft microrobots or artificial biomimetic ciliary propulsion.
Soft Robotics Group 