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 


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)

rsochol@umd.edu

Mechanical Engineering


Related Sites

https://bam.umd.edu/