Researchers from Stanford and UC Santa Barbara have created a novel robot that blends traditional and soft robotics. This human-scale pneumatic robot can change shape and move independently once inflated, without needing a constant power or air source.
Stanford researchers have designed and successfully tested two prototype dynamic surface grasping devices. These devices use opposed pairs of gecko-inspired directional adhesives to attach to any smooth surface.
Stanford researchers at the Cutkosky Lab have patented a method of towing or pushing an object using a micro-robot. This micro-robot can drag loads almost 2000x its weight by using controllable dry adhesive for robotic "feet" that can develop huge amounts of shear force.
Stanford researchers at the Cutkosky Lab have patented a low cost, passively activated gripper that can grasp large curved, textured or delicate objects using an adhesive film.
Engineers in Prof. Mark Cutkosky's laboratory have developed a gentle gripper device that can conform to, grasp, and lift a wide range of objects using an air bladder enhanced with gecko-inspired shear adhesion.
Stanford researchers have patented the "Wolverine," a mobile, wearable haptic device designed for simulating the grasping of rigid objects in virtual reality.