Intelligent soft systems are a new class of robotic devices that derive their function from the properties of functional soft materials—in contrast to traditional robotic devices, which consist of hard metallic parts and are driven electromagnetic motors. These materials are inherently soft and can react to external stimuli such as temperature, electric fields, pH, or light by deforming or by changing their mechanical properties. They can thus serve many roles in robotic devices such as actuators, sensors, controllers, and even energy sources.
Our research lies at the intersection of mechanics, materials science, and robotics. The research group studies the fundamental behavior of functional soft materials to design new types of autonomous robotic systems that can safely interact with their surrounding and navigate in unstructured environments, and to develop new structures that passively adapt their shape in response to changes in environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, and sunlight.
Philipp Rothemund
Jun.-Prof.Professor