Scientists 'knit' soft robotic wearables for easier design and fabrication

Scientists have made progress with soft robots. They are powered by compressed air and have advantages over regular robots.

It has been a challenge to design and build them due to the need for a manual design and fabrication process. Scientists from MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have come up with a new project called "PneuAct" that uses computers and a special knitting process to design and digitally fabricate soft pneumatic actuators. Their work could lead to new devices.

The machine knitting process thatneuAct uses is not like your grandma's plastic needle knitting, according to CSAIL researchers. The designer doesn't need to specify the design patterns in the software to program the movements. The knitting machine is used to make the textile piece, which is connected to a rubber silicone tube.

The actuators use yarn to sense and respond to what they grab. As proof of concept, the team developed several prototypes, including a pneumatic walking quadruped, a soft hand, and an assistive glove.

The new devices have been improved over older designs, with the ability to incorporate feedback and programmed bending. The glove could be used to help people with finger or hand injuries.

The team plans to incorporate task-driven designs with target poses and optimal stitch patterns in their designs.