Tailoring materials into kirigami robots

2025-10-08

AI Summary

Lightweight, multifunctional robotic structures face challenges in achieving adaptive multimodal deformation while maintaining structural compactness and functional integration. Method: This study proposes a mechanical metamaterial design methodology inspired by kirigami principles, enabling programmable folding/unfolding behaviors. Parametric optimization of cut patterns facilitates simultaneous grasping, locomotion, and wearable functionality; embedded sensors, batteries, and controllers realize structural–functional co-design. Integration of flexible electronics, stimuli-responsive actuators, and mechanical computing enables programmable shape morphing and shape-memory capability. Contribution/Results: The resulting prototype achieves complex motion control under low actuation forces, demonstrating high adaptability, geometric compactness, and cross-scenario applicability—from soft manipulation to wearable assistive devices. This work establishes a scalable, physics-informed intelligence paradigm for soft robotics, bridging material-level design with system-level functionality.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Multimodal Perception & Sensor Fusion
• Machine Learning: Multimodal Learning
• Search and Optimization: Metareasoning and Metaheuristics

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Systems and Infrastructure for Web, Mobile and WoT: Experiences and lessons learnt from Web-based algorithms and system deployments
• Search and Retrieval-Augmented AI: Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and multi-modal RAG

Abstract

Kirigami, the traditional paper-cutting craft, holds immense potential for revolutionizing robotics by providing multifunctional, lightweight, and adaptable solutions. Kirigami structures, characterized by their bending-dominated deformation, offer resilience to tensile forces and facilitate shape morphing under small actuation forces. Kirigami components such as actuators, sensors, batteries, controllers, and body structures can be tailored to specific robotic applications by optimizing cut patterns. Actuators based on kirigami principles exhibit complex motions programmable through various energy sources, while kirigami sensors bridge the gap between electrical conductivity and compliance. Kirigami-integrated batteries enable energy storage directly within robot structures, enhancing flexibility and compactness. Kirigami-controlled mechanisms mimic mechanical computations, enabling advanced functionalities such as shape morphing and memory functions. Applications of kirigami-enabled robots include grasping, locomotion, and wearables, showcasing their adaptability to diverse environments and tasks. Despite promising opportunities, challenges remain in the design of cut patterns for a given function and streamlining fabrication techniques.

Problem

• Developing kirigami-based robots with tailored cut patterns
• Creating multifunctional actuators and sensors using kirigami principles
• Integrating energy storage directly within flexible robot structures

Innovation

• Tailoring kirigami cut patterns for robotic components
• Creating programmable actuators using kirigami principles
• Integrating kirigami batteries directly into robot structures