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About

Sareum Kim is a pioneering roboticist whose work sits at the intersection of origami engineering and mobile robotics. Her research focuses on creating highly adaptable, deformable structures for locomotion, fundamentally rethinking how robots interact with challenging terrain. Kim’s major contribution is the development of variable-diameter wheel drive robots, most notably the "Origami Wheel Transformer," which uses the magic-ball origami pattern to allow a wheel to expand and contract. This breakthrough enables wheeled robots to maintain the efficiency of flat-terrain driving while physically altering their shape to overcome obstacles like steps or rocks—a feat previously requiring complex, multi-modal systems. Her most-cited paper (174 citations) on this topic has become a foundational reference in the field of soft and reconfigurable robotics. Beyond wheels, Kim has advanced the broader concept of morphing origami blocks for lightweight, reconfigurable systems, exploring the use of shape memory alloys for actuation. Her work has been recognized for its elegance and practicality, bridging the gap between theoretical origami mathematics and deployable hardware. For any student interested in soft robotics, bio-inspired design, or mechanical metamaterials, Kim’s research offers a masterclass in how a simple fold can solve a complex mobility problem.