Soft Robotics Lab

Open Opportunities

Semantic Robotic Manipulation and Multi-Task Learning ETH Zurich ETH Competence Center - ETH AI Center Other organizations: Soft Robotics Lab Robotic Manipulation is one of the areas of robotics which has benefited the most from recent advances in large pre-trained machine learning models. At the Soft Robotics Lab, we aim to leverage such models for innovative applications to multi-task manipulation of rigid and soft objects. In this thesis, we plan to 1) set up a manipulation pipeline for control and data collection, and 2) advance the state of imitation learning by leveraging pre-trained semantic models. Intelligent Robotics, Knowledge Representation and Machine Learning Internship, Master Thesis, Semester Project

Actuation, Sensing and Control for Tendon-Driven Robotic Hands ETH Zurich Soft Robotics Lab Develop suitable strategies for proprioceptive sensing, actuation, and control of a complex robotic hand driven by electric motors. We will explore different possibilities of equipping an existing hand design with the necessary capabilities for position, force, and tactile feedback control. The developed hardware and software shall be integrated into the robotic hand to create a fully functional system. Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Intelligent Robotics Master Thesis

Mechanical Design of Versatile, Robust, and Affordable Tendon-Driven Robotic Hands ETH Zurich Soft Robotics Lab Mechanical design of a bioinspired tendon-driven robotic hand driven by electric motors. We will explore the expansion of an existing finger design with special rolling-joints to create a full, five-fingered robotic hand with a bioinspired thumb, wrist, and palm design. Next to human-like dexterity, the system will be robust and easy-to-fabricate based on 3D printing. Biomechanical Engineering, Intelligent Robotics, Mechanical Engineering, Robotics and Mechatronics Master Thesis, Semester Project

Muscle tissue engineering for bio-hybrid robotics ETH Zurich Soft Robotics Lab Other organizations: High Performance Ceramics You will obtain functional constructs of living muscle tissue that can be implemented into robots as bio-actuators. The tissue will be realized via bioprinting or conventional biofabrication in 3D designs at the mm-to-cm scale. The deformation of the constructs will be achieved via electrical stimulation of contractile muscle cells, and integrated sensing elements will monitor the motion of the tissue constructs, improving functionality and autonomy. Biology, Engineering and Technology, Medical and Health Sciences Master Thesis, Semester Project

Muscle tissue engineering for bio-hybrid robotics ETH Zurich Soft Robotics Lab The aim is to obtain constructs of living muscle tissue that can be prospectively implemented into soft robots. Engineered tissues will be biofabricated from skeletal muscle cells in designs at the mm-to-cm scale via 3D bioprinting. Constructs will be able to deform by contraction of the muscle cells under electrical stimulation and implemented into soft robots allowing for their movements. Integrating piezoresistive sensing elements-based on hydrogels, during the printing process, will allow the monitoring of the bio-hybrid tissue constructs, improving autonomy and functionality of the bio-hybrid robots. Biology, Biomaterials, Mechanical Engineering, Medical and Health Sciences Master Thesis, Semester Project