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About

Andrew Stinchcombe is a pioneering roboticist whose work sits at the intersection of bio-inspired design, soft robotics, and energy autonomy. His research focuses on creating machines that mimic biological systems to achieve self-sufficiency and environmental integration. Stinchcombe’s most notable contribution is the “Row-bot,” the first energetically autonomous swimming robot powered by a microbial fuel cell, which harvests energy from its surroundings—a breakthrough demonstrated in his 2015 paper (37 citations). He has also advanced biodegradable robotics with a stack of microbial fuel cells made from polylactic acid and natural rubber (30 citations), pushing toward sustainable, disposable robots. His work on energetically autonomous foraging soft robots (23 citations) and an artificial heartbeat actuator using NiTi artificial muscles (17 citations) showcases his talent for translating biological principles into functional hardware. More recently, Stinchcombe has explored tactile sensorimotor control for anthropomorphic soft hands and developed a bioinspired robotic simulator of the human respiratory system. With a career defined by innovation in energy-harvesting and soft robotic systems, Stinchcombe is a leading voice in the quest for truly autonomous, environmentally integrated machines.