Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Jack Forman is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of soft robotics, materials science, and human-computer interaction (HCI), whose work reimagines the very fabrics of our daily lives as dynamic, responsive systems. His core research focuses on developing novel actuated fibers and textile-based technologies that seamlessly integrate movement and computation into the materials we wear and use. Forman’s most impactful contribution is **OmniFiber**, a fluidic fiber actuator that can be woven into fabrics to create clothing that moves, assists, or communicates—a concept he introduced in his highly cited 2021 paper (111 citations). This work, alongside his development of **ModiFiber** (42 citations), provides accessible, line-based actuators that replace bulky motors and shape-memory alloys, making soft robotics more practical for HCI. He also demonstrated the potential of untethered soft robotics with his design of a soft robotic jellyfish (98 citations), showcasing his ability to translate biological principles into engineered systems. More recently, Forman has advanced the field by establishing a framework for handweaving robotic textiles using liquid crystal elastomer fibers, pushing toward environmentally responsible, functional fabrics. His work is not only highly cited but also fundamentally shifts how we think about clothing—not as passive coverings, but as interactive, intelligent extensions of the body.