Federico Bernabei

Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna, Italian Institute of Technology

Papers

Total Citations

H-Index

About

Federico Bernabei is a rising figure in soft robotics, with a research focus on developing novel tactile sensors and actuators that push the boundaries of machine-environment interaction. His work centers on two key areas: triaxial force sensing for tactile robots and vacuum-powered actuation systems. In his most-cited paper (2024, 13 citations), Bernabei introduces a fingertip-shaped soft optical sensor with 3D channels that measures triaxial forces using only soft materials and morphology, offering a promising path toward more lifelike tactile feedback for robotic hands. His second major contribution, a comprehensive review on vacuum-powered fluidic actuators (2022, 9 citations), highlights the fail-safe, fast-response, and jamming capabilities of these systems. This work has been instrumental in advancing soft grippers, manipulators, and wearable devices. By bridging fundamental material design with practical robotic applications, Bernabei’s research is helping to create safer, more adaptable, and more intuitive soft robots—a critical step for human-robot collaboration in healthcare, manufacturing, and beyond.