Wireless Robotic Materials

Important results from the project

Based on e.g. changes in the physical environment, wireless robotic materials self-modify their physical properties by changing e.g. shape, color, stiffness, texture or permeance. Considering the limits imposed on actuation and interaction, we have developed a vision and system architecture for smart body-worn materials that combines interaction (soma) design, ultra low-power sensor-actuator networks and distributed micro- and millifluidic networks to utilize mechanical power from body movements. This way, we enable novel applications in the Internet of Senses domain.

Expected long term effects

We envision our technology to be particularly useful in smart body-worn materials, a competence that will add to the competitive edge of Swedish ICT industry. The impact is not only in the individual fields but through the collaboration, directly supports advances in wearable robotics, medtech, and health - and takes a part in the progression of e.g. smart homes and cities. Our vision resonates well with a 2019 report from Ericsson, on ‘10 Hot Consumer Trends 2030’, where they predict that in 2030 people will think of digital touch as something affecting their whole body, not just the hands.

Approach and implementation

To achieve our objectives, we run workshops with Swedish industry and technical pre-studies. The workshops were successful in that the participation showed the large industrial potential. They also increased the multi-disciplinary understanding both externally and internally. The technical pre-studies helped to understand the problems in more detailed. In particular a long-term visit from a KTH PhD student to Uppsala University was extremely useful in that respect. At the end of the project we were hence able to write a competitive proposal to the Wallenberg foundation.