ChromaBot - Prototyping Soft Robotic Actuators with Integrated Electrochromic Displays

Abstract

Soft robotics - robots built from highly compliant materials that resemble soft biological materials - have recently become more popular especially in industry settings, given their ability to handle fragile objects. One problem however of these devices is that they can only communicate intend or the need for help through movement. To overcome this limitation, in this paper we present ChromaBot, a method towards prototyping soft robotic actuators with integrated printed electrochromic displays. Our method only degrades the longevity of the soft robotic actuator in an acceptable manner while at the same time allows for a more expressive soft robot. We present detailed instructions on how to prototype ChromaBot as well as an initial analysis of the durability, both of the display as well as of the actuator.