The Biomimetics and Soft Robotics thrust is dedicated to developing life-like robots inspired by the natural world. This approach investigates how organisms respond to real-world challenges and translates those principles into robotic design. Our MIMESIS initiative focuses on agile movement, dexterous manipulation, and distributed multifunctional sensing, drawing inspiration from arboreal, terrestrial, and underwater organisms. The goal is to emulate integrated mechanisms of actuation, sensing, and control, enabling robots to replicate the forms, functions, and materials of living systems. To support this, we examine biological systems across multiple scales—from cellular structures to whole organisms—and across diverse form factors. Guided by this biologically grounded design philosophy, we aim to advance soft robotic platforms capable of adaptive, intelligent, and resilient behavior.

Subterranean Soft Robots

I am presently engaged in the development of a soft robot inspired by the locomotion of worms. The primary aim of this endeavor is to enable cooperative interactions with plant roots and the soil microbiome. This innovative robot leverages state-of-the-art SLA (Stereolithography) printing technology to achieve precise component fabrication. Additionally, it boasts multifaceted sensing capabilities, allowing it to navigate soil environments effectively and engage productively with both plant roots and the microbiome residing in the soil. My aspiration for this project extends beyond its current scope. I aim to further advance the principles of worm locomotion to contribute to the development of next-generation subterranean robots with enhanced capabilities for various applications.

Mimiking Sweating in Robots

We developed a 3D-printed, multi-material soft robotic hand with autonomic sweating capabilities for thermal regulation. The hydrogel-based actuators remain sealed below 30°C for pressurized movement, but above this threshold, they sweat through localized pores, significantly enhancing cooling. When assembled into a gripper, these actuators enable both mechanical manipulation and active thermal control of heated objects. This bioinspired system outperforms natural thermoregulation in animals, marking a key step in soft robotics.

Mimicking Plant Mechanims in Robot 

We focused on developing self-growing soft robots that replicate the morphology and movement mechanisms of plant roots for subterranean navigation. To enable adaptive, soil-penetrating behavior, we emulated key biological processes such as mucus exudation, cell sloughing, and radial and axial expansion. Our goal was to use plants as model organisms to engineer robots that can grow, adapt, and respond to environmental stimuli, capturing the unique resilience and functionality of root systems through flexible, deformable materials.

1. Mishra, A.K., Tramacere, F., Guarino, R., Pugno, N.M., and Mazzolai, B., 2018. A study on plant root apex morphology as a model for soft robots moving in soil. Plos One, 13(6), p.e0197411. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0197411 

2. Fiorello, I., Tricinci, O., Naselli, G.A., Mondini, A., Filippeschi, C., Tramacere, F., Mishra, A.K. and Mazzolai, B., 2020. Climbing Plant‐Inspired Micropatterned Devices for Reversible Attachment. Advanced Functional Materials, p.2003380. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.202003380

3. Mishra, A.K., Degl’Innocenti, A., and Mazzolai, B., 2018. Three-dimensional reconstruction of root shape in the moth orchid Phalaenopsis sp.: a biomimicry methodology for robotic applications. BMC research notes, 11(1), p.258. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-018-3371-0 

4. Visentin F.*, Mishra A.K.*, Naselli G.A.*, Mazzolai B., Simplified Sensing and Control of a Plant-Inspired Cable-Driven Manipulator, IEEE Robosoft conference (2019), South Korea. https://doi.org/10.1109/ROBOSOFT.2019.8722729

5. Mishra A.K., Tramacere F & Mazzolai B., From plant root's sloughing and radial expansion mechanisms to a soft probe for soil exploration, IEEE Robosoft conference (2018), Italy. https://doi.org/10.1109/ROBOSOFT.2018.8404899

6.  Fiorello, I., Tricinci, O., Mishra, A.K., Tramacere, F., Filippeschi, C. and Mazzolai, B. Artificial System Inspired by Climbing Mechanism of Galium Aparine Fabricated via 3D Laser Lithography. Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid Systems (2019), France. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95972-6_18