Marco Piccinini
École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, University of Bologna
Papers
5
Total Citations
104
H-Index
5
About
Marco Piccinini is a leading figure in the design and modeling of soft, compliant interfaces for robotic systems. His research focuses on creating biomimetic soft covers and pads for robotic limbs, prostheses, and haptic sensors, with a particular emphasis on achieving predetermined and selective compliance. Piccinini pioneered the use of "differentiated layer design," moving beyond homogeneous soft materials to engineer structured covers that more accurately replicate biological tissue behavior. His work on fluid-filled soft covers introduced a novel method for tailoring viscoelastic properties, enabling contact interfaces with rate-dependent stiffness. His most cited paper (42 citations) provides foundational guidelines and nonlinear models for engineering these soft covers. He also developed a framework for quantifying "selective compliance" in elastic joints, a critical metric for robotic structures requiring controlled stiffness along specific axes. Through rigorous nonlinear Finite Elements Analysis and experimental validation, Piccinini has established reliable design methodologies that bridge the gap between theoretical compliance and real-world robotic interaction, making his contributions essential for advancing dexterous manipulation and safe human-robot contact.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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