Bioinspired Sensing, Actuation, and Control in Underwater Soft Robotic Systems

This book includes representative research from the state¿of¿the¿art in the emerging ¿eld of soft robotics, with a special focus on bioinspired soft robotics for underwater applications. Topics include novel materials, sensors, actuators, and system design for distributed estimation and control of soft robotic appendages inspired by the octopus and seastar. It summarizes the latest findings in an emerging ¿eld of bioinspired soft robotics for the underwater domain, primarily drawing from (but not limited to) an ongoing research program in bioinspired autonomous systems sponsored by the O¿ce of Naval Research. The program has stimulated cross¿disciplinary research in biology, material science, computational mechanics, and systems and control for the purpose of creating novel robotic appendages for maritime applications. The book collects recent results in this area.