20/05/2026
On May 11, 2026, CECS welcomed Dr. Sam Altnji for an engaging seminar titled “Nonlinear Interactions in Soft Grasping: DoE-Based FEM and Experimental Insights into Stability.” The seminar explored advanced approaches to improving the performance and reliability of soft robotic grippers, whose behavior is governed by complex interactions among object geometry, actuation, and contact mechanics. His talk demonstrated how the coordinated tuning of multiple parameters plays a critical role in achieving stable grasping performance in soft robotic systems.
This seminar is part of an ongoing research collaboration between Dr. Altnji’s team at University of Twente and the BioRobotics and i-e3s labs at VinUniversity focused on soft hydraulic actuation for therapeutic devices, particularly the development of tendon-driven exoskeleton gloves powered by artificial hydraulic muscles. The collaboration aims to advance assistive and rehabilitation technologies through the integration of soft robotics, digital twins, and physics-informed AI for real-time, simulation-driven decision-making in biomechanical systems.
The partnership also lays the foundation for future joint research initiatives and collaborative funding applications between University of Twente, VinUniversity, and other research partners, paving the road for long-term international collaboration in robotics and biomedical engineering.