This project focuses on creating a soft assistive robotic arm with a user-friendly interface to help people who use wheelchairs with daily tasks. This year the team created a model of this system by modifying existing origami modules, designing a soft robotic gripper, and creating a control system which integrates user inputs with sensor data to easily manipulate common household items. Soft robotics is a growing field of research. These robots offer the flexibility and adaptability that traditional rigid robotics lack, making them safer for interacting with humans and other delicate environments. This project looks at how soft robots are applicable for assistive technologies. Wheelchairs, which are used by over 3.3 million Americans, are typically used for mobility related disabilities, which often affects overall motor skills making daily tasks significantly more difficult. This design would provide greater independence to people who use wheelchairs worldwide.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Aldarondo, Luis
• Sevastos, Antonios
• Zink, Hannah
• Weisse, Ethan

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• E-project-042524-163023
• 121818

Keyword

• Soft Robotics
• Wheelchair
• Assistive Robotics

Advisor

• Fichera, Loris
• Onal, Cagdas
• Calli, Berk

Year

• 2024

Date created

• 2024-04-25

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Robotics Engineering
• Mechanical Engineering

Source

• E-project-042524-163023

Rights statement

• In Copyright