Engineers in Prof. Mark Cutkosky's laboratory have developed patented electrostrictive elements that can support high loads over a long lifetime when used as variable suspension systems for robots, autonomous vehicles or prosthetics.
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.