IIT Projects Search

Proboscidean sensitive soft robot for versatile gripping
Abstract

In PROBOSCIS, we envision a new generation of universal robotic manipulators that, much like elephants, engage with uncertain environments, promptly adapt to unexpected situations and perform a multitude of real-world grasping tasks. Similarly to the elephant trunk, these innovative robots will extensively exploit intrinsic high mechanical compliance (soft body adaptability), inherently conforming to the environment, and rich proprioceptive and exteroceptive sensorial feedback (distributed sensing), mainly based on artificial touch, to perceive the world and control their interaction with it. This change of paradigm in tactile-driven exploration and manipulation will enable the achievement of robots capable to reach, sense, grasp, manipulate, recognise, and release in the environment a wide range of payloads, liquid and solid matter, and objects of diverse dimensions and shapes, defining a totally new grasping taxonomy and representing a game changer in assistive, industrial, domestic, rescue and environmental applications.

LogoEnteFinanziatore EU
People involved
Lucia Beccai
Lucia Beccai
Soft BioRobotics Perception
Barbara Mazzolai
Barbara Mazzolai
Bioinspired Soft Robotics
Project information
Logo PROB
Acronym
PROBOSCIS
Start date
01/11/2019
End date
30/04/2025
Role
Coordinator
Funds
European
Budget
Total budget: 1.642.947,50€
Total contribution: 1.642.947,50€
Link