3D-Printed Video Game-Playing Soft Robots
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
Fridays 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Leidos Lab AJC - 1106
*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)
Mechanical Engineering
Related Sites
https://bam.umd.edu/