Bronse Utdanning · 2022
PneuBots Modulbasert konstruksjonssett for myk robotikk
by Hye Jun Youn
- A' Design Award i Bronse 2022 in Utdanning
- CLIENT: PneuBots
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 27,133
- Verification code 25543DF3A1 · Verify this award
Colors
About PneuBots Modulbasert konstruksjonssett for myk robotikk
PneuBots er et modulbasert konstruksjonssett for myk robotikk, laget for læring og kreativ utfoldelse. Settet inneholder syv typer selvfoldende segmenter, tre typer pneumatiske koblinger og fordelere, samt en spesialtilpasset boks som måler 200 ganger 70 ganger 100 millimeter. Hver modul er laget av to lag PVC-film som er forseglet langs origami-inspirerte mønstre ved hjelp av CNC-fresing og varmpressing. Modulene krymper, krøller seg eller bøyer seg når de fylles med luft gjennom munnstyrte oppblåsingsventiler. Settet senker terskelen for kunstnere, designere, ingeniører og skapere som ønsker å utforske myk robotikk.
About the A' Design Award i Bronse
PneuBots Modulbasert konstruksjonssett for myk robotikk er vinner av A' Design Award i Bronse, en høyt prestisjefylt anerkjennelse som tildeles enestående design som utmerker seg ved kreativitet, oppfinnsomhet og skarpsindighet. Bronsevinnere er rikt dyktige og påfallende kreative gjenstander som bekrefter designernes store erfaring, fantasi og ressurssterkhet. PneuBots Modulbasert konstruksjonssett for myk robotikk forventes å være en høyt ansett, beundret og verdsatt gjenstand som er bemerkelsesverdig profesjonell og nyskapende. Dette designet, som har vunnet A' Design Award i Bronse, rommer beste praksis innen kunst, vitenskap, design og teknologi og utmerker seg ved sin omtanke for detaljer. PneuBots Modulbasert konstruksjonssett for myk robotikk tilfredsstiller behov på en strålende måte, berører ønsker, sjarmerer følelser og vekker nysgjerrighet.
Press Kit
- 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.
