On 21 May 2025, the Robotics Centre at the University of Twente will host its annual Robotics Day.
Robotics Day is an event dedicated to showcasing the latest advancements in robotics technology, research, and applications. Mark your calendars for an exciting day filled with inspiring talks, live demonstrations, and valuable networking opportunities with leading experts, researchers, and industry professionals at the forefront of robotics innovation.
This year, we are proud to announce a special collaboration with the study association S.V. Astatine, ensuring a dynamic program that brings together students, academics, and professionals for an engaging and interactive experience.
Wednesday 21 May 2025, from 09:30 - 18:00h at Waaier building
Programme
09:30-10:00 - Walk-in and registration @ Waaier 2 Guests are invited to arrive, check in at the registration desk, and collect their event materials.
10:00-10:15 - Opening and welcome @ Waaier 2 We will officially open the event with a warm welcome from our host, setting the tone for the day and highlighting what is ahead.
10:15-11:15 - Key note speaker: dr. Ali Sadeghi @ Waaier 2 Soft Robotics: Enabling Function Through Geometry, Materials, and Fabrication
In this inspiring talk, dr. Ali Sadeghi will present some of our recent achievements and the challenges we face in developing these complex, multifunctional soft systems. From fabricating soft sensors, proprioceptive actuators, and electroactive actuators to designing sensorized insoles and prosthetic hands, I will discuss the fabrication techniques, material considerations, and design choices that drive our research, as well as our future directions.
At the Soft Robotics Lab, University of Twente, we focus on the additive manufacturing of multi-material soft robotic systems that combine hyperelastic rubbers, continuous fibers, and conductive polymers. Additive manufacturing is one of the most promising approaches of soft robotics, which allows for the precise layering of multiple materials, each serving distinct roles in the system.
About soft robotics
Soft robotics represents a transformative approach to designing machines that can interact addaptivly with users and their environment. Built from highly flexible, compliant materials, soft robots mimic the properties of biological organisms, making them ideal for applications in healthcare, wearable technology, and bio-inspired systems. These robots offenoffer versatile solutions for tasks requiring adaptability and gentle interaction, from rehabilitation devices to soft robotic hearts and sensorized garments.
Similar to biological systems, soft robots possess multifunctional bodies where the structure itself hosts various integrated functionalities such as sensing, actuation, and adaptability. This inherent complexity requires particular attention ot the structural details, materials and advanced fabrication techniques capable of producing such multifunctional structures.
11:30-12:15 - First sessions of choice @ Carre 2G, 2H, 2L, 2N - Study case: "Sensing Tomorrow: Innovative Sustainability through Orientation-Driven Robotics" - Movella
- Study case: "Active propulsion system for water pipeline inspection robot in harsh environments" - RoseNxt
- Talk: "Exploring Ex Vivo Challenges and Applications of Microrobots" – RAM
12:15-14:00 - Lunch & Network Market @ Waaier Ring Enjoy a relaxed lunch while exploring our Network Market. Connect with fellow attendees, browse booths, and spark new conversations.
14:00-14:45 - Talk: "Modular ground robot navigation" - RIWO @ Waaier 2 Modular ground robot navigation
As a system integration firm, Riwo makes software for a wide range of machine manufacturers. Modular software stacks may be a bit harder to set up, but they save you a lot of time in the long run when facing similar challenges with different customers. In this talk, I will introduce our interpretation of robotic navigation, show you some examples from our current projects, and show you the benefits of this modular approach.
Presented by RIWO.
14:45-15:30 - Second sessions of choice @ Carre 2G, 2H, 2L, 2N and the labs - Study case: "Robotics in the great outdoors" - RIWO
- Talk: "The Robot Theatre Lab" by Edwin Dertien
- Lab tours
15:45-16:45 - Talk and demonstration: Mission I.A.M. - Bionic leg @ Waaier 2 Developing a bionic leg to run in the desert
Create a bionic leg that enables amputees to run the Marathon des Sables in 2030.
Moving naturally. Competing fully. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyone.
The first project we start is developing wearable technologies for sensing human movement - fully wearable technologies for sensing human biomechanics, out of constrained laboratory conditions and directly in the real world.
Three MSc students work in a team to make this first step:
- Development of a smart sportswear (e.g., sensorized shoe and socks)
- Minimal off-the-shelf IMU set-up for leg kinematics and kinetics
- Real-time sensor-driven digital athletes
16:45-18:00 - Closing and drinks We will wrap up the day with some closing remarks, followed by drinks and informal networking to end on a high note.
