Soft Robotics For NASA Space Exploration

Soft robotics are bioinspired structures that have eliminated the rigidity of the basic metallic robots we have grown accustomed to. They have revolutionized the world of science, not only in the medical field but soon in space exploration because of their high adaptability and versatility in unstructured environments. This is due to their unique trait of being composed of soft materials such as elastomers, hydrogels, and silicones. Also, due to their high morphological computation and automated intelligence through sensors and highly developed actuators. The purpose of our research project is to comprehend the process of creating a prototype that can successfully navigate unstructured environments with minimal user input, and return data to the user. We first commenced by developing our robot's brain through the use of Robot Operating Systems (ROS), to code for its different parts and tasks. After developing our complex brain, we 3D print our body with flexible filaments and combine the two. We then use an Arduino microcontroller to manipulate its actuators and sensors. By the end of our project, we will have successfully created a soft robot adaptable to changing environmental conditions, a trait required for space exploration.