This lecture focusses on the design, fabrication, and applications of soft robotic components that utilize soft materials and inflation for movement. Inflatable actuators are deformable structures that can elongate, contract, bend and twist when their cavities are pressurized by a fluid (e.g. air or water). Participants will gain insight into the principles of the design process as well as simple analytical models, explore various fabrication techniques from 3D printing to molding, and examine the behavior and performance of these actuators. Through real-world examples and case studies, we will see the wide-ranging applications of elastic inflatable actuators in the fields of soft robotics and rehabilitation robotics. The lecture will also address current challenges and future directions in the field, providing an overview for those interested in soft robotics and related disciplines.
By the end of this lecture, students should be able to:
• Understand the fundamental principles underlying the design and operation of elastic inflatable actuators.
• Choosing different fabrication techniques used in the production of elastic inflatable actuators.
• Performance analysis of Elastic Inflatable Actuators