Project description
A new paradigm for soft robot motion control
Soft robots may soon play a significant role in applications such as medicine, search and rescue, and object manipulation. First, however, the challenges of executing complex motions and controlling soft actuators must be overcome. To address this, the ERC-funded PHASEBOT project aims to simplify the control of soft robots through the continuous transmission of mechanical first-order phase transitions to induce complex motion patterns. Its objectives include developing model systems to accommodate motion patterns in fluid-driven soft actuators and devising strategies to produce a range of motions using electrostatic forces. It will then apply these developments in advanced soft robotic systems, demonstrating their potential to perform complex, versatile motions that are easy to control.
Objective
We are in the middle of a revolution in which intelligent systems transform our lives and work. Soft robots have shown great promise in important applications such as medicine, search-and-rescue, and object manipulation. However, we do not see them in the real world. One reason is the struggle to execute complex motions with soft robots due to the complexity of controlling many soft actuators in a single system.
PHASEBOT proposes the continuous propagation of mechanical first-order phase transitions as a ground-breaking new method for generating complex motion patterns in easy-to-control soft robots. PHASEBOT will devise a framework for embodying motion patterns in soft actuators with phase transitions using fluid-driven soft actuators as a model system (Objective 1). Functional soft materials allow for active control of the behavior of phase transitions to generate and control motion patterns. We will develop strategies to generate a large variety of motions using electrostatic forces as an example mechanism (Objective 2). We will implement the developed concepts in advanced soft robotic systems (Objective 3) to demonstrate the benefits of motion control with phase transitions. Advantages include the generation of complex, versatile motion in simple soft robots, high-performance untethered soft robotic devices, and control concepts that drastically simplify the control of complex soft robots. This ambitious work will involve theoretical analysis and experiments. A structured research program that progresses from model systems to advanced robots ensures its feasibility.
PHASEBOT offers a new paradigm for motion control, which can be applied to many soft robotic systems. Thus, PHASEBOT will serve as a foundation for future research and the design of a new generation of high-performance soft robots.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- social sciences political sciences political transitions revolutions
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering robotics
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
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Topic(s)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-COG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
70174 Stuttgart
Germany
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