Brian as a Worm
The assignment required demonstrating principles of creative electronics within tight constraints. Existing soft robotics projects were often complex and resource-intensive, so I designed and built a simplified pneumatic earthworm robot that replicated natural photophobic behavior using accessible materials and basic electronics.
Soft Robotics
Human-Robot Interaction
Biomimetics
Arduino
Pneumatics
Project Overview
Project: Brian as a Worm, a bio-inspired soft robotic earthworm
Context: Academic project, Creative Electronics
Industry: Soft Robotics, Bio-inspired Design
Timeline: 2 weeks (2024)
My Role: Robotics Designer & Engineer
The assignment required demonstrating principles of creative electronics within tight constraints. Existing soft robotics projects were often complex and resource-intensive, so I designed and built a simplified pneumatic earthworm robot that replicated natural photophobic behavior using accessible materials and basic electronics.
Design Solution
created a functional soft robot that mimics earthworm locomotion and light-avoidance behavior through:
Bio-inspired Mechanics: Simplified vine robot design using pneumatic actuation
Sensory Integration: Light and knock sensors connected to Arduino for environment-responsive navigation
Material Optimization: 3D-printed components and accessible materials meeting project constraints
Behavior Programming: Photophobic response algorithm enabling autonomous avoidance, and knock sensor enabling approach behavior
The prototype successfully demonstrated confined space navigation and adaptive behaviors, providing an educational model for soft robotics principles while working within significant time and material constraints.
The glorious moment of the worm finally navigating the obstacle (burrow)!
Lots and lots of prototyping with Arduino, sensors and actuators…
Desktop research was crucial in the successful execution of this concept and project:
