Jef De Clerck

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About

Jef De Clerck is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics and bioinspired locomotion, with a focus on creating adaptive robots capable of navigating complex, multimodal environments. His most notable contribution is the development of **EELWORM**, a bioinspired multimodal amphibious soft robot, published in 2020 and garnering 38 citations. This work addresses a critical challenge in exploration robotics: enabling seamless transitions between drastically different terrains, such as moving from smooth surfaces to rough ground or from land to water. By mimicking the undulatory locomotion of eels and earthworms, De Clerck’s robot integrates multiple gaits into a single compliant body, offering a novel solution for autonomous exploration in unpredictable settings. His research bridges biology and engineering, demonstrating how soft materials and flexible actuation can overcome the limitations of rigid robots. Beyond EELWORM, De Clerck’s work has advanced the understanding of adaptive locomotion, influencing future designs for search-and-rescue, environmental monitoring, and planetary exploration. His achievements highlight a commitment to pushing the boundaries of robotic adaptability, making him a key figure in the next generation of soft robotics innovation.