Indrek Must, Associate Professor of Soft Robotics

Our research group develops robot embodiments to carry out physically demanding tasks in complex environments, such as monitoring nature, search& rescue under debris, and augmenting or compensating for human physical abilities. We are creating a physical framework that can accommodate artificial intelligence. In cooperation between the intelligent body and central artificial intelligence, robots acquire physical capabilities that resemble those of a biological organism.

We develop robot bodies from the ‘bottom up.’ Our work always involves two components: a biological model and an artificial artifact that mimics a specific property of that model in the simplest possible manner. Studying this artifact often also refines our understanding of the biological system.

We have used a wide range of model organisms: the inchworm caterpillar, spider exoskeleton and web, plant stomata, the human cervix, fungal mycelium, and human skin.

In technological imitation, we combine material technologies (e.g., spinning), additive manufacturing (various 3D-printing techniques), textile technologies (e.g., embroidery), and mechatronic solutions (e.g., microcontrollers).

Key directions include studying the role of fluids in embodied intelligence; for this, we are developing both a circulatory system for the robot and hygromorphic solutions.

We have translated our scientific results into innovations such as a robotic cervix and an individually adaptive shoe.