Istanbul Technical University (ITU) researchers introduced an innovative approach that can overcome current technological limitations in the field of textile-based wearable soft robotics. The study led by our Faculty of Textile Technologies and Design faculty member Assoc. Prof. Dr. Özgür Atalay and involving researchers from ITU Textile Engineering and Computer Engineering as well as Marmara University Department of Mechatronics Engineering has features that will enable treatments such as mobility assistance and rehabilitation without disrupting daily life and at lower cost.

The research team adopted an innovative approach in line with the features desired in soft wearable robotic technologies such as lightness, silence, easy portability, scalability and low cost. In the study, a robotic textile actuator with sensing, heating and actuation functions was designed and manufactured. For the actuator, digital machine knitting was made, and thermally driven phase transition of a low-boiling liquid was utilized to provide actuation. Click here for details.