Deployable Robots via Origami-Inspired Design

Origami-inspired engineering produces structures with high strength-to-weight ratios and simultaneously lower manufacturing complexity. This reliable, customizable, cheap fabrication and component assembly technology is ideal for robotics applications in remote, rapid deployment scenarios that require platforms to be quickly produced, reconfigured, and deployed. Unfortunately, most examples of folded robots are appropriate only for small-scale, low-load applications. In this talk, I will discuss efforts in my group to expand origami-inspired engineering to robots with the ability to withstand and exert large loads and to execute dynamic behaviors. I will show how the design of a fold pattern can change its mechanical response, and how we can leverage these designs for better performance and simpler control.

Live Zoom Event: < https://caltech.zoom.us/j/89211141301>

Box Recordings for Caltech: <https://caltech.box.com/s/grvxyi8ljwrrpwjq2bkkzy7vbf40235h>