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2023　Soft Robotics

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Academic unit or major
Graduate major in Mechanical Engineering
Instructor(s)
Maeda Shingo  Suzumori Koichi 
Class Format
Lecture    (Face-to-face)
Media-enhanced courses
Day/Period(Room No.)
Fri7-8(S2-203(S222))  
Group
-
Course number
MEC.H533
Credits
1
Academic year
2023
Offered quarter
2Q
Syllabus updated
2023/3/20
Lecture notes updated
-
Language used
English
Access Index

Course description and aims

Soft robotics has progressed rapidly in recent years, and has become an important area and essential knowledge for students studying robotics. While conventional robots consist of a hard metal body, accurate servomotors, and precise programming, aiming for power, accuracy and reliability, soft robots consist of a flexible body, actuators and intelligence, realizing adaptability and robustness working in various situations. Basic concept of this new robotics and the latest research situation will be taught.

Student learning outcomes

At the end of this course, students will be able to explain about:
1) the basic concept and potential of soft robotics in comparison with conventional robotics,
2) the latest research status of soft robotics, and
3) the basics of mechanisms, electronics, materials, information processing, and biology related to soft robotics.

Keywords

Soft robot, Soft actuator, Functional polymer, Biomimetics, Soft computing

Competencies that will be developed

✔ Specialist skills Intercultural skills Communication skills Critical thinking skills Practical and/or problem-solving skills

Class flow

The instructors will explain each topics and concepts consisting of soft robotics on the aspects of design,　mechanisms, electronics, control, material sciences, computer sciences and biology.

Course schedule/Required learning

  Course schedule Required learning
Class 1 Introduction to Soft Robotics Overview, basic concept, and biological analogy
Class 2 Soft robot design Design of soft robot body, dynamics of soft robots and embodiment
Class 3 Flexible Electronics Design of flexible motion, design of flexible functional devices, dielectric elastomer sensors/actuators, IPMC actuators and soft pumps
Class 4 Information processing in Soft robotics Design of soft intelligence, soft robots and machine learning, computing with soft materials and rhythm
Class 5 Fabrication of soft materials Types and properties of soft materials (polymers, gels, foams), 3D printing, soft lithography
Class 6 Physics of soft bodies modeling and Physics of soft bodies
Class 7 Soft robot application Applications and potentials in the future

Out-of-Class Study Time (Preparation and Review)

To enhance effective learning, students are encouraged to spend approximately 100 minutes preparing for class and another 100 minutes reviewing class content afterwards (including assignments) for each class.
They should do so by referring to textbooks and other course material.

Textbook(s)

Course materials are provided during class.

Reference books, course materials, etc.

To be uploaded on T2SCHOLA.

Assessment criteria and methods

Evaluated by home work reports.

Related courses

  • MEC.H434 ： Advanced Course of Actuator Engineering
  • MEC.H531 ： Robot Control System Design

Prerequisites (i.e., required knowledge, skills, courses, etc.)

None required.

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