Peter N. Vicars

About

Peter N. Vicars is a pioneering researcher in soft robotics and electroactive polymer (EAP) technology, with a focused expertise in developing tactile sensing and shape-morphing actuation for robotic grippers. His major contributions center on the creation of Synthetic Muscle™—a class of EAP-based materials that contract and expand at low voltages (1.5 V to 50 V, battery-compatible) while simultaneously sensing pressure from gentle touch to high impact and attenuating force. This integrated sensing-actuation capability addresses a critical gap in robotics: most systems rely solely on visual feedback, which fails after contact. Vicars’ work enables robots to achieve a human-like grasp that is both gentle and firm, with real-time tactile feedback. His most cited paper (2021, 7 citations) demonstrates this dual functionality for robotic grippers, while subsequent studies (2022, 4 citations; 2023, 2 citations) refine sensitive, robust tactile fingertips. His 2012 paper on “robots in the loop” explores telepresence and human-robot interaction, broadening the impact of his work. Vicars’ innovations are foundational for advancing dexterous manipulation in manufacturing, prosthetics, and assistive robotics.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

Top Papers

1. 1
   Synthetic Muscle Electroactive Polymer (EAP) pressure sensing and controlled shape-morphing for robotic grippers

   7 citations · 2021
2. 2
   Robots in the loop

   6 citations · 2012
3. 3
   Sensitive and robust electroactive polymer tactile pressure sensors and shape-morphing actuation for robotic grippers

   4 citations · 2022
4. 4
   Synthetic Muscle electroactive polymer (EAP) shape-morphing and pressure sensing for robotic grippers

   3 citations · 2020
5. 5
   Sensitive robust tactile fingertips and shape-morphing actuation for robotic grippers

   2 citations · 2023

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links