Kai Blanco

Centre for Automation and Robotics, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas

Papers

Total Citations

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About

Kai Blanco is a rising researcher at the forefront of soft robotics, with a specific focus on leveraging additive manufacturing to create compliant, functional systems. His work centers on the design, fabrication, and application of 3D-printed soft grippers and robots, addressing critical challenges in delicate manipulation and hazardous environment exploration. Blanco’s most impactful contribution is his comprehensive review on the manufacturing of 3D-printed soft grippers (2024, 27 citations), which has become a key reference for researchers navigating this rapidly expanding field. He has also pioneered novel applications, including the design of passive, soft grasping interfaces for robotic harvesting (2025, 3 citations), a study that directly tackles the issue of post-harvest fruit damage caused by excessive force. Additionally, his development of a soft, bellow-based 3D-printed robot for in-pipe inspection (2024, 2 citations) demonstrates a practical solution for accessing spaces too hazardous for human workers. By combining the design flexibility of 3D printing with the inherent safety of soft materials, Blanco is establishing himself as a notable contributor to next-generation robotic systems for agriculture, infrastructure, and human-robot interaction.