Special Issue on Soft Mechanisms and Soft Elements

Abstract

Research on various types of soft robots has been conducted recently. Soft robots with flexible mechanisms are expected to contribute significantly to the development of robotics, not only in industrial applications but also in various other applications, such as those involving robot-human interactions. Flexible mechanisms cannot necessarily be realized using flexible materials alone; they can also be realized by adopting new approaches to conventional mechanisms. It is also desirable for sensors and other components to be flexible so that they do not reduce the flexibility of the mechanism. The development of these mechanisms and elemental technologies will lead to further development of soft robots.

This special issue will feature papers on the structures and applications of soft mechanisms and elements as well as on design and analysis methods and control techniques.