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About

Pranav Kaarthik is a rising star in the field of soft robotics, pioneering the design and fabrication of motorized, architected soft actuators. His research centers on leveraging 3D-printed auxetic structures—specifically handed shearing auxetics (HSAs)—to create untethered, high-performance soft robots that overcome the limitations of traditional pneumatic or tendon-driven systems. Kaarthik’s major contributions include the development of a motorized HSA-based soft robot capable of operating for 65 minutes while carrying a payload of 1.5 kg, achieving the second-highest operating time among comparable untethered terrestrial systems with above-average velocity. His work on a flexible, architected actuator combining 3D-printed cylindrical HSAs with deformable rubber bellows has garnered over 20 citations, demonstrating significant impact in advancing electrically-driven soft actuation. Additionally, Kaarthik has addressed the challenge of gait generation in soft quadrupeds by automating open-loop controllers, simplifying a traditionally non-trivial process. With recent innovations in miniaturized, molded thermoplastic elastomer actuators, his research continues to push the boundaries of speed, payload, and autonomy in soft robotics. Kaarthik’s work is essential reading for anyone interested in the future of agile, untethered soft machines.