Do
Robotics
Lab
We do robotics.
Our Mission
The Do Robotics Lab at Oregon State University, directed by Prof. Brian Do, explores how we can design human-centered robots to physically interact with objects and people in ways not previously possible.
We develop advanced technologies in robotics, mechatronics, and sensing to create robots that can adapt their function by changing their morphology and mechanical properties. We design systems that combine soft and rigid robotics to expand capabilities in areas such as manipulation, inspection, and exploration.
The Do Robotics Lab is part of the Oregon State Robotics group and the Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems Institute.
Our Research
Growing Robots and Reconfigurable Manipulators
Growing robots represent a marked shift in how robots can move. We are working on growing robots that add material to their tip through pressure-driven eversion, enabling them to squeeze through tight spaces and grow to extremely long lengths.
Growing robots offer new possibilities for inspection of hard-to-reach spaces, search and rescue in rubble, exploration, and more. Taking inspiration from vines, elephant trunks, and octopus arms, we are also interested in using these robots for manipulation and safe human-robot interaction. We are working to design growing robots to be stronger, more dexterous, and intuitive to control.
Soft Actuators
From fabrics to additively manufactured soft materials, we explore ways to create new actuators for uses from haptics to continuum robots.
We are designing novel actuators, modeling their behavior, integrating sensing, and developing actuators that are multifunctional like their biological counterparts.
Variable Stiffness and Shape Changing Robots
Through mechanical design, we create robots that can vary their stiffness. For example, we can tune the geometry of rigid materials to decrease their stiffness or combine rigid and soft components together to create hybrid robots. These robots can take on diverse form factors and enable new capabilities not possible with existing robots.
We see a future where attributes of both rigid and soft robots are combined to enable the next generation of robots to get the best of both.
Latest News
Sept. 2024 – The Do Robotics Lab has officially started at Oregon State!
Do Robotics Lab 