This Research Topic is devoted to publishing extended versions of the papers presented under the 'Soft Robotics' keyword at the 2018 IEEE/RSJ International Conference of Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2018) held on 1-5 October 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Contributors who did not have the opportunity to present at IROS 2018 but would like to make a contribution are also welcome to, provided the submission fits the scope outlined below.
Technology that supports the advancement of robotics is coming out of many research labs today, which focus on creating new robotics structures that are soft, not rigid – blending together soft materials science and robotics to create new types of robots that enhance the autonomous operation and human-robot interaction. In natural environments and human-centric operations where safety and adaptability to uncertainty are fundamental requirements, soft robots may serve as a better alternative to rigid robots: they can conform to variable but sensitive environments, can adaptively move, manipulate and grasp unknown objects varying in size and shape and their soft condition allows them to squeeze through confined spaces.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of the current research in the soft robotics community. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Design of Soft Robots
- Modelling of Soft Robots
- Control of Soft Robots
- Modelling and Control of Variable Compliance Devices
- Motion Control of Soft Mechanisms
- Biologically Inspired Models and Controls for Soft and Hybrid Soft-Rigid Robots
- Soft Robotics Applications
This Research Topic is devoted to publishing extended versions of the papers presented under the 'Soft Robotics' keyword at the 2018 IEEE/RSJ International Conference of Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2018) held on 1-5 October 2018 in Madrid, Spain. Contributors who did not have the opportunity to present at IROS 2018 but would like to make a contribution are also welcome to, provided the submission fits the scope outlined below.
Technology that supports the advancement of robotics is coming out of many research labs today, which focus on creating new robotics structures that are soft, not rigid – blending together soft materials science and robotics to create new types of robots that enhance the autonomous operation and human-robot interaction. In natural environments and human-centric operations where safety and adaptability to uncertainty are fundamental requirements, soft robots may serve as a better alternative to rigid robots: they can conform to variable but sensitive environments, can adaptively move, manipulate and grasp unknown objects varying in size and shape and their soft condition allows them to squeeze through confined spaces.
The aim of this Research Topic is to provide an overview of the current research in the soft robotics community. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to:
- Design of Soft Robots
- Modelling of Soft Robots
- Control of Soft Robots
- Modelling and Control of Variable Compliance Devices
- Motion Control of Soft Mechanisms
- Biologically Inspired Models and Controls for Soft and Hybrid Soft-Rigid Robots
- Soft Robotics Applications
