Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have developed what they describe as the world’s first soft robots capable of walking immediately after being produced by a low-cost, custom-built 3D printing platform. This open-source platform is expected to help overcome long-standing obstacles in the design, fabrication, and adoption of soft robotic systems.
The robots—small, four-legged devices made entirely from soft plastic—are created using this bespoke 3D printing system. Once connected to a compressed air source, the palm-sized machines can walk directly off the printer without requiring electronics or post-processing.
This innovation was developed by PhD students Maks Gepner and Jonah Mack at the University’s Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and Autonomous Systems, under the supervision of Professor Adam A. Stokes, Head of the Institute for Bioengineering. The study is published in Device, a journal by Cell Press, and was funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
Broadening Access to Soft Robotics
Soft robotics, which relies on compliant materials, holds great promise for applications in high-risk and sensitive environments such as biomedical procedures, nuclear decommissioning, and space missions. However, the field has faced barriers to real-world implementation due to high costs, complex manufacturing, and a lack of standardized processes.
To address these challenges, the Edinburgh team developed an affordable, desktop 3D printing system—known as the Flex Printer—that can be assembled for under £400 using off-the-shelf components. “Building and operating the new system – known as the Flex Printer – requires little prior knowledge, with first-time users able to assemble it and begin making robots in just a few days,” the researchers noted.
To encourage broader adoption and further innovation, the team has released the Flex Printer design as open-source. Their goal is to democratize access to soft robotics and foster collaboration across disciplines.
“It used to take years to figure out how to print using these materials. Using our new platform, anyone can now easily print things which were previously thought to be impossible. This is a game-changer for engineers and artists alike. Our hope is that this technology will help drive the next wave of research breakthroughs. Without the long-standing manufacturing and design bottlenecks holding it back, we believe soft robotics is ready to make a major real-world impact,” said Maks Gepner, lead engineer.
Robots and 3D Printing Advancements
In May, researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, introduced the Berkeley Humanoid Lite, a customizable, 3D printable humanoid robot designed for researchers, educators, and hobbyists. Unlike commercial humanoid robots, which can cost upwards of $100,000, the Berkeley Humanoid Lite can be assembled for under $5,000 using standard parts and desktop 3D printers.
In 2023, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) researcher Markus Nemitz has received a $599,815 CAREER Award from the National Science Foundation to develop a new class of low-cost, customizable 3D printable soft robots. Capable of traversing challenging environments, it is hoped that these robots will eventually be used in search-and-rescue operations.
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Featured image show Soft Robots. Photo via University of Edinburgh.
