Sourav Karmakar supervised by Dr. Aftab M Hussain received his Master of Science in  Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE). Here’s a summary of his research work on Pneumatic Actuator-Based Soft Robots for Multi-Terrain Applications:

This dissertation investigates pneumatic actuation in soft robots fabricated with Ecoflex series of silicone rubber. We presented a pneumatically actuated soft gripper resembling an index finger, capable of grasping objects and functioning as an end effector for small manipulators. Building upon this concept, a bio-inspired soft robot with triangular pneumatic chambers is developed, resembling a caterpillar. This robot incorporates integrated camera and detachable electronics, designed for search and rescue operations in diverse environments including shallow water. We have compared our soft caterpillar robot with other similar robots and got some better results in terms of accuracy and a number of possible terrains explored by our soft robot. This sustainable design serves as a platform for future accessory based applications. Subsequently, addressing limitation of the previous design.
A new soft mobile robot inspired by a crawling child’s movement is created from the limitations of the caterpillar-like soft robot. This prototype utilizes dual pneumatic actuators for obstacle avoidance during forward locomotion and can carry additional hardware for future exploration. Finite element method simulations were conducted for all presented soft robots. Overall, this research aims to integrate various sensors and actuators and establish soft robotics as a sustainable alternative to traditional robots, offering potential utility in hazardous environments with the possibility of additional safety features. These robots present a cost-effective and innovative solution for various applications.

  November 2025