Team Description

Soft robots—e.g., robots composed of compliant materials and actuated by fluidic (hydraulic and/or pneumatic)—have emerged as powerful alternatives for applications that would be difficult or impossible to realize using traditional, rigid robots. Despite a number of inherent benefits for soft robots, particularly in terms of safety for human-robot interactions, challenges associated with controlling the underlying fluidics of such systems represent key barriers to utility. Recently, Sochol's "Bioinspired Advanced Manufacturing (BAM)" Laboratory introduced a strategy for 3D printing soft robots comprising fully integrated fluidic circuitry in a single print run and demonstrated a soft robotic "hand" capable of beating the first level of Super Mario Bros (youtu.be/5smhhTKb3DM). Unfortunately, this particular approach relied on an expensive (>$100,000) 3D printer. The goal of this project is to extend this strategy to inexpensive (e.g., <$500) 3D printers to support accessibility and, ultimately, demonstrate its efficacy by engineering soft robots capable of playing video games.

Methods & Technologies 

3D printing, CAD, circuits, fluid dynamics

Academic Colleges of Interest 

  • College of Agriculture & Natural Resources
  • School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
  • College of Arts & Humanities 
  • College of Behavioral & Social Sciences 
  • The Robert H. Smith School of Business 
  • College of Computer, Mathematical, & Natural Sciences
  • College of Education 
  • College of Information Studies
  • The Philip Merrill College of Journalism 
  • School of Public Health 
  • School of Public Policy 

Preferred Interests & Preparation 

Prior experience with CAD (namely, SolidWorks), 3D printing, and/or circuitry is helpful, but not required.

Meeting Schedule & Location 

Fall:

Fridays 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Leidos Lab AJC - 1106

Spring:

Mondays 10:30 - 11:30 AM
Location to be announced
 

*Team members will be expected to attend a weekly lab meeting. Date, time, and location for lab meetings will be determined during the first class session*

Faculty Mentor 

Ryan Sochol (he/him)
rsochol@umd.edu
Mechanical Engineering

Related Sites

https://bam.umd.edu


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