What comes to mind when you picture a robot? Most people would imagine a humanoid machine that resembles the Tin Man, or a mechanical arm assembling a car. There are many common images associated with the idea of robotics. The one thing they have in common- they’re all solid metal. But can robots be constructed differently?
For students in bioengineering professor Holly Golecki’s 498 and 598 Soft Robotics course, they can. Constructed from malleable and flexible materials, soft robots offer unique advantages. They can more safely interact with humans, navigate delicate environments, and have a versatility that traditional rigid robots cannot match. For instance, a soft robotic probe can gently explore human organs without causing tissue damage. They’re also useful for implants and prosthetics. That’s one reason soft robotics are already common in the medical field, making them especially critical in bioengineering. Because of their importance, professor Golecki’s class took a hands-on approach and challenged students to design and prototype their own soft robotic devices.
Students created a wide variety of soft robots for the class, including virtual reality gloves with haptic feedback, a model of the human lung, and a high-tech toe separator. Some projects imitated living creatures, such as a robot in the shape of a snake, a lobster claw, and even a tentacle. These can be used in natural settings without disturbing or damaging other marine life. Other robots had medical applications, such as a probe for examining lungs, a mat that prevents bed sores, and a brace to prevent ACL tears. One project even repurposed an old COVID-19 testing device to create pixel art.
Teaching Assistant Amanda Bacon described her experience: “I found the class absolutely amazing, especially for undergraduates to get experience in an emerging field. Personally, my favorite was the [Shape Deposition Manufacturing] SDM finger, where we created fingers out of silicone and used string to create the bending mechanisms to pick up items. One of the students even improved it as their final design project, making it more human-like by creating more joints and slimming the fingers down. It’s fantastic that the students here get to have this experience.”
Professor Golecki enjoys seeing her students rise to the challenge and thrive. "It is so exciting to see the students, most of whom were completely new to soft robotics at the start of the semester, apply the concepts we explored in class to so many different applications," said Golecki. "It’s gratifying to see them exercise their design muscles by using soft robotics to solve problems that are important to them."
As soft robotics continues to revolutionize sectors from healthcare to environmental monitoring, professor Golecki’s course is equipping students with the skills and innovative mindset needed to lead these advancements. It’s yet another way The Department of Bioengineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign is shaping the future of bioengineering.
Professor Holly Golecki is a Teaching Assistant Professor in the Department of Bioengineering at The Grainger College of Engineering, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign