PneuBots Soft Robotics by Hye Jun Youn

Home > Winners > #137958




DESIGN DETAILS
DESIGN NAME:
PneuBots

PRIMARY FUNCTION:
Soft Robotics

INSPIRATION:
Soft robotics is an emerging field with a very high potential for impact, which is also of strong interest to the Human Computer Interaction (HCI) and Haptic communities. Yet the barriers to entry for most makers are still very high, and they are even greater for those who come from nontechnical backgrounds. A constructive assembly kit in combination with carefully curated informational resources could significantly reduce the barrier to entry.

UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
PneuBots is a modular soft robotics construction kit consisting of seven types of self-foldable, quasi-inextensible segments, three types of pneumatic connectors and splitters, and a custom-designed box. The kit enables various assemblies to be made with the modular pieces, allowing creators to explore the world of soft robotics in playful ways.

OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION:
Seven PneuBots modules with different actuation patterns including shrinking, curling and bending were designed. There are three working shapes: line, diagonal, and diamond. A linear seam with a 5mm gap in the middle results in a shrinking mechanism. The diamond shape-hinge serves as the bending angle control. The diagonal line with a 5mm gap serves as the curling control. PneuBots allows seamless programmability of the different assemblies, enabling artists, designers, engineers, and makers to create dynamic, shape-changing, and interactive works that can be used for education, storytelling, and dynamic art.

PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION:
The project started in June 2021 in Korea and finished in January 2022 in the US.

FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY:
Toys, Games and Hobby Products Design

PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY:
The modules of PneuBots were developed by a heat-pressing fabrication process, where two layers of PVC film were sandwiched together and then sealed along specific origami-inspired patterns. The CNC-milling plus heat pressing fabrication method achieves an accurate and smooth geometric pattern without wrinkles. Each PneuBots module has between one and five pneumatic ports with oral-inflation-valves. Modules can be connected to each other using three types of pneumatic connectors: Straight-shaped, T-shaped, and Cross-shaped.

SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES:
Toolkit Box, 200 mm x 70 mm x 100 mm

TAGS:
Soft Robotics, Construction kit, Pneumatics, Shape changing, Learning, Playful, Design, Art, Interactivity, Education

RESEARCH ABSTRACT:
A mixed method comprising of interviews and existing product reviews were used. The initial target user group was consisted of graduate students who are new to this field. Over the course of developing this project, we informally interacted with 20 graduate students from design and engineering background who provided feedback about the behaviors and interactions they want to achieve with soft robotic design concepts, and who also shared some of the barriers and obstacles that prevented them from realizing their goals.

CHALLENGE:
Some feedback from users mentioned the smooth surface of PVC film. Since the inflated modular blocks are slippery, the smooth texture may not be ideal for an interaction with objects with surface. Therefore, to extend PneuBots’ functionality, we are planning to create a layer of cloth such as an auxetic structure to generate friction between modules for more stable mobility. We will also eventually broaden the scope of our work to include more diversity in modular block design, and we are currently gathering data to determine the appropriate number of modular blocks to include in our basic package.

ADDED DATE:
2022-02-28 09:21:31

TEAM MEMBERS (2) :
Hye Jun Youn, Ali Shtarbanov and Jooyoung Youn and

IMAGE CREDITS:
Hye Jun Youn, 2021.



CLIENT/STUDIO/BRAND DETAILS
NAME:
PneuBots

PROFILE:
The kit allowing creators to explore the world of soft robotics in playful ways. PneuBots allows seamless programmability of the different assemblies, enabling artists, designers, engineers, and makers to create dynamic, shape-changing, and interactive works including wearables, modular board games, creative art installations, simple robots, and much more.



NOMINATION DETAILS

Pneubots Soft Robotics by Hye Jun Youn is a Nominee in Education, Teaching Aid and Training Content Design Category.

· This project is currently confidential as results have not been announced yet. Images and further details of the project is not available for public yet, please check back later. If you are the owner of this design, please login to view the images.

· Click here to register today inorder to be able to view the profile and other works by Hye Jun Youn when results are announced.


AWARD DETAILS

Pneubots Soft Robotics by Hye Jun Youn is Winner in Education, Teaching Aid and Training Content Design Category, 2021 - 2022.



· Press Members: Login or Register to request an exclusive interview with Hye Jun Youn.

· Click here to register inorder to view the profile and other works by Hye Jun Youn.


SOCIAL
+ Add to Likes / Favorites | Send to My Email | Submit Comment | Comment | Testimonials | View Press-Release | Press Kit



Did you like Hye Jun Youn's Education Design?
You will most likely enjoy other award winning education design as well.
Click here to view more Award Winning Education Design.


Did you like Pneubots Soft Robotics? Help us create a global awareness for good education design worldwide. Show your support for Hye Jun Youn, the creator of great education design by gifting them a nomination ticket so that we could promote more of their great education design works.

See other A' Design Award and Competition WinnersA' Design Award Presentation Submit Your Designs
 
design award logo

BENEFITS
THE DESIGN PRIZE
WINNERS SERVICES
PR CAMPAIGN
PRESS RELEASE
MEDIA CAMPAIGNS
AWARD TROPHY
AWARD CERTIFICATE
AWARD WINNER LOGO
PRIME DESIGN MARK
BUY & SELL DESIGN
DESIGN BUSINESS NETWORK
AWARD SUPPLEMENT

METHODOLOGY
DESIGN AWARD JURY
PRELIMINARY SCORE
VOTING SYSTEM
EVALUATION CRITERIA
METHODOLOGY
BENEFITS FOR WINNERS
PRIVACY POLICY
ELIGIBILITY
FEEDBACK
WINNERS' MANUAL
PROOF OF CREATION
WINNER KIT CONTENTS
FAIR JUDGING
AWARD YEARBOOK
AWARD GALA NIGHT
AWARD EXHIBITION

MAKING AN ENTRY
ENTRY INSTRUCTIONS
REGISTRATION
ALL CATEGORIES

FEES & DATES
FURTHER FEES POLICY
MAKING A PAYMENT
PAYMENT METHODS
DATES & FEES

TRENDS & REPORTS
DESIGN TRENDS
DESIGNER REPORTS
DESIGNER PROFILES
DESIGN INTERVIEWS

ABOUT
THE AWARD
AWARD IN NUMBERS
HOMEPAGE
AWARD WINNING DESIGNS
DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
MUSEUM OF DESIGN
PRIME CLUBS
SITEMAP
RESOURCE

RANKINGS
DESIGNER RANKINGS
WORLD DESIGN RANKINGS
DESIGN CLASSIFICATIONS
POPULAR DESIGNERS

CORPORATE
GET INVOLVED
SPONSOR AN AWARD
BENEFITS FOR SPONSORS
IMPRESSUM IMPRINT

PRESS
DOWNLOADS
PRESS-KITS
PRESS PORTAL
LIST OF WINNERS
PUBLICATIONS
RANKINGS
CALL FOR ENTRIES
RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

CONTACT US
CONTACT US
GET SUPPORT

Good design deserves great recognition.
A' Design Award & Competition.