PneuBots Mīksto Robotu Konstrukciju Komplekts by Hye Jun Youn

PneuBots Mīksto Robotu Konstrukciju Komplekts by Hye Jun Youn is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2022 Bronzas balva A' Design Award in Izglītības, mācību līdzekļu un apmācību satura dizains Competition Category.

BronzasIzglītība· 2022

PneuBots Mīksto Robotu Konstrukciju Komplekts

by Hye Jun Youn

Client: PneuBots

Bronzas balva A' Design Award Winner in Izglītība Category

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Verified Award Winner

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View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About PneuBots Mīksto Robotu Konstrukciju Komplekts

PneuBots ir modulārs mīksto robotu konstrukciju komplekts mācībām un radošai jaunradei. Komplektā ietilpst septiņu veidu paštaisāmi salokāmi segmenti, trīs veidu pneimatiskie savienotāji un sadalītāji, kā arī īpaši izgatavota kaste ar izmēriem 200 x 70 x 100 milimetri. Katrs modulis ir izgatavots no divām PVC plēves kārtām, kas sablīvētas pēc origami iedvesmotiem rakstiem, izmantojot CNC frēzēšanu un termopresēšanu. Moduļi savelkas, ieliecas vai saliecas, kad tos piepūš caur mutes piepūšanas vārstiem. Šis komplekts pazemina iestāšanās slieksni māksliniekiem, dizaineriem, inženieriem un jaunradītājiem, kuri vēlas izpētīt mīksto robotiku.

The Recognition

About the Bronzas balva A' Design Award

PneuBots Mīksto Robotu Konstrukciju Komplekts ir Bronzas balvas A' Design Award ieguvējs, ļoti prestiža atzinība, ko piešķir izciliem dizainiem, kas izceļas ar radošumu, atjautību un viedumu. Bronzas ieguvēji ir pietiekami prasmīgi un pārsteidzoši radoši darbi, kas apliecina to dizaineru plašo pieredzi, iztēli un izdarību. Sagaidāms, ka PneuBots Mīksto Robotu Konstrukciju Komplekts būs augsti vērtēts, apbrīnots un cienīts priekšmets, ievērojami profesionāls un inovatīvs. Šis ar Bronzas balvu apbalvotais dizains iekļauj labāko praksi mākslā, zinātnē, dizainā un tehnoloģijās un izceļas ar uzmanību detaļām. PneuBots Mīksto Robotu Konstrukciju Komplekts lieliski apmierina vajadzības, skar vēlmes, valdzina jūtas un piesaista zinātkāri.

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: PneuBots is a modular soft robotics construction kit consisting of seven types of self-foldable, quasi-inextensible segments, three types of pneumatic connectors and splitters, and a custom-designed box. The kit enables various assemblies to be made with the modular pieces, allowing creators to explore the world of soft robotics in playful ways.
Dimensions & Packaging: Toolkit Box, 200 mm x 70 mm x 100 mm
Tags: Soft Robotics, Construction kit, Pneumatics, Shape changing, Learning, Playful, Design, Art, Interactivity, Education
Production Technology: The modules of PneuBots were developed by a heat-pressing fabrication process, where two layers of PVC film were sandwiched together and then sealed along specific origami-inspired patterns. The CNC-milling plus heat pressing fabrication method achieves an accurate and smooth geometric pattern without wrinkles. Each PneuBots module has between one and five pneumatic ports with oral-inflation-valves. Modules can be connected to each other using three types of pneumatic connectors: Straight-shaped, T-shaped, and Cross-shaped.
Design Challenge: Some feedback from users mentioned the smooth surface of PVC film. Since the inflated modular blocks are slippery, the smooth texture may not be ideal for an interaction with objects with surface. Therefore, to extend PneuBots’ functionality, we are planning to create a layer of cloth such as an auxetic structure to generate friction between modules for more stable mobility. We will also eventually broaden the scope of our work to include more diversity in modular block design, and we are currently gathering data to determine the appropriate number of modular blocks to include in our basic package.
Research: A mixed method comprising of interviews and existing product reviews were used. The initial target user group was consisted of graduate students who are new to this field. Over the course of developing this project, we informally interacted with 20 graduate students from design and engineering background who provided feedback about the behaviors and interactions they want to achieve with soft robotic design concepts, and who also shared some of the barriers and obstacles that prevented them from realizing their goals.
Inspiration: Soft robotics is an emerging field with a very high potential for impact, which is also of strong interest to the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Haptic communities. Yet the barriers to entry for most makers are still very high, and they are even greater for those who come from nontechnical backgrounds. A constructive assembly kit in combination with carefully curated informational resources could significantly reduce the barrier to entry.
Project Duration: The project started in June 2021 in Korea and finished in January 2022 in the US.
Operation Flow: Seven PneuBots modules with different actuation patterns including shrinking, curling and bending were designed. There are three working shapes: line, diagonal, and diamond. A linear seam with a 5mm gap in the middle results in a shrinking mechanism. The diamond shape-hinge serves as the bending angle control. The diagonal line with a 5mm gap serves as the curling control. PneuBots allows seamless programmability of the different assemblies, enabling artists, designers, engineers, and makers to create dynamic, shape-changing, and interactive works that can be used for education, storytelling, and dynamic art.
Team Members: Hye Jun Youn, Ali Shtarbanov and Jooyoung Youn