Explore the innovative world of soft robotic grippers using Kirigami shells in this 48-minute podcast featuring Dr. Madi Babaiasl and Prof. Douglas Holmes from Boston University. Dive into the research behind designing grippers capable of handling objects from a grain of sand to a water bottle, including delicate and slippery items. Learn about the cut patterns, materials, and applications of these grippers in fields such as agriculture, healthcare, and industry. Discover the process of determining cut patterns, the impact of material choice on gripper design, and how these grippers can assist people with hand deformities. Gain insights into lab dynamics, the excitement of being a professor, and the importance of a collaborative research environment. Conclude with Prof. Holmes's contact information for potential collaborations and hear what others say about this groundbreaking research.
Soft Robotic Grippers Using Kirigami Shells - When Art Meets Robotics
Mecharithm - Robotics and Mechatronics via YouTube
Overview
Syllabus
​ Introduction to Prof. Douglas Holmes
​ How did you come up with the idea of using kirigami shells for soft robotic grippers?
​ How do you determine the cut pattern? How do you know that a certain cut pattern will do the job? And also, what factors determine the cut patterns?
​ You used a type of polymer to make kirigami shells, but can people alter the material and still get the same result? Is the gripper design dependent on the material that you use? Do the cuts affect the stiffness of the material?
How do you grasp slippery objects? How can you make sure that these slippery objects do not fall? Is the friction enough to hold them in place?
What is the maximum weight that the grippers can handle? And how do you compensate for the less force transmission of soft grippers compared to rigid robotic grippers?
Can you pick flat objects using kirigami shell grippers?
The paper mentioned that one possible application of these grippers is in haptic assistant tools for people with hand deformities and disorders. Would you please elaborate on this and how these grippers can be used to assist these people?
Would you please briefly explain about possible applications? For instance, some people asked about applications in agriculture which is, I think, evident from the video, applications in healthcare, hospitals since they can be remotely actuated too, industry, arcade claw machines, textile industry, and climbing a rope.
How do you keep the lab vibe, and do you also think that keeping a friendly, collaborative environment is important for the research outcome?
What did you find most exciting about being a Professor?
What are your hobbies?
Concluding remarks including Prof. Holmes's contact information for possible collaboration.
Casual verification of the research
What others say about this research
Taught by
Mecharithm - Robotics and Mechatronics
