Soft metamaterial grippers
2023-2026
We use metamaterials to balance the soft and stiff mechanical responses required for harvesting delicate fruits. Metamaterial grippers have advanced shape morphing and a larger contact area with the fruit to preserve its integrity.
This project focuses on the development of technological building blocks and system integration for agrobots. The consortium aims to gain new knowledge in four technologies (soft grippers, vision technology, AI software & digital twinning and advanced control) and to develop and test four prototypes for agriculture and horticulture. The prototypes focus on disease recognition in potatoes, weed control, picking fruits and monitoring crop growth, and will be ready in 2027.
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Curious to know more? Go to the project website:
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Diego Guzman
I intergate MEMS sensors with soft metamaterial grippers for improved haptic performance.
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-- Ph.D. student at the University of Groningen
Our team
Yiannis Spanos
I am passionate about modeling, manufacturing, and testing mechanical metamaterials.
-- Post-Doctoral researcher at the University of Groningen
Anastasiia Krushynska
The ability of metamaterials to locally manipulate stiffness makes them ideal for preserving the integrity of soft fruits.
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-- Adjunct Professor at the University of Groningen
Project partners
Our collaborators
