5 accepted papers
Navigating and inspecting confined space is crucial for the aerospace and healthcare industries. Exploring smaller and narrower spaces allows for problems to be identified earlier, preventing negative outcomes for patients and equipment. The challenge is to scale down the navigation probe while pres
Soft robotics has sought to emulate natural behaviors. One impressive ability of living systems is operating in confined and narrow pathways, from caterpillars to tapeworms. Among the soft actuators, dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are suitable candidates for this ability with fully soft syste
Soft robots require strong, yet flexible actuators for locomotion and manipulation tasks in unstructured environments. Dielectric elastomer actuators (DEAs) are well suited for these challenges in soft robotics because they operate as compliant capacitors and directly convert electrical energy into
In this paper we present the design of a fin-like dielectric elastomer actuator (DEA) that drives a miniature autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV). The fin-like actuator is modular and independent of the body of the AUV. All electronics required to run the actuator are inside the 100 mm long 3D-print…
A multilayer fabrication method has been used to create crawling soft robots based on dielectric elastomer actuators. These actuators are created without the need for pre-stretch, eliminating the need for rigid components. A four-legged, multi-gait capable crawler can be fabricated in a matter of ho…