Developing artificial muscles for robots.

Innovative robots have many possible applications. However, to be used as artificial assistants – in nursing for example – they need to be made from soft, sensitive materials that adapt gently to our environment.

Tomorrow’s innovations are hiding in rainforests that are thousands of years old. The delenicereus setaceus cactus from southeastern Brazil, for example, has the unique ability to “climb” trees and overcome obstacles. These movements are made possible by the structure of its stems, which can change from triangular to circular in their cross-sectional shape, giving them the necessary stability and flexibility. For the research conducted at the Institute of Active Polymers, the structure of the plant serves as a model for innovative, soft robotic systems. By combining this bio-inspired design with elastic 3D-printed scaffolds and hydrogel components, we can create engineered systems that move autonomously in response to humidity and temperature. The soft robots we are researching together with scientists across Europe could have future applications in health technology, agriculture, and space travel.

(Header: Steffen Niemann)