Soft Robotics in Healthcare: Challenges in Design and Control

Novel means of fabricating soft materials have led to soft robotics research being more accessible than ever before. Soft robotics has become an important paradigm in developing new tools for automated task execution and in the context of medical applications, it can offer a range of advantages over traditionally rigid robots when it comes to safe and physically-interactive systems. Despite that, challenges remain with regard to designing robust and reproducible systems, integrating sensing capabilities and delivering effective control in complex environment.

In a series of short presentations we will investigate recent developments in the design and control of soft robots and discuss associated challenges. World-leading researchers in the field will present their works and demonstrate how soft robotics could open new avenues into healthcare technologies.

AGENDA

Program
14:30-14:35 Introduction and overview of the symposium

Session I
14:35-14:55 Dr Moritz Bächer
14:55-15:15 Prof Christian Duriez
15:15-15:35 Dr Egidio Falotico

Session II
15:35-15:40 Introduction of the panel
15:40-16:00 Dr Sheila Russo
16:00-16:20 Dr George Mylonas and Dr James Avery
16:20-16:40 Dr Tommaso Ranzani
16:40-16:45 Closing remarks