Laschi Cecilia

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About

Cecilia Laschi is a pioneering figure in soft robotics, with a career dedicated to redefining how robots interact with the world through bio-inspired design and compliant materials. Her research spans soft manipulation, underwater robotics, and neurorobotics, where she draws inspiration from biological systems—particularly octopuses and other cephalopods—to create robots that are adaptive, safe, and dexterous. Among her notable contributions is the development of the first entirely soft robot, the "Octobot," and her work on soft grippers and actuators that have influenced fields from surgery to marine exploration. Her paper on "Underwater soft jet propulsion based on a Hoberman mechanism" (2018) exemplifies her innovative approach, demonstrating a novel, biologically inspired propulsion system for aquatic robots. With over 10,000 citations to her name, Laschi’s work has been recognized with prestigious awards, including an ERC Advanced Grant, and she has served as a professor at the Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies in Pisa. Her legacy lies in bridging biology and engineering, inspiring a new generation of researchers to build robots that are not only functional but also gentle and resilient.