Event
Future Leaders in Robotics and AI Seminar: Heiko Kabutz
Friday, April 11, 2025
2:30 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
https://go.umd.edu/FutureLeaders
Yancy Diaz-Mercado
301 405 6506
yancy@umd.edu
Increasing agility of insect robots through body shape morphing
Heiko Kabutz
PhD Student
University of Colorado Boulder
Abstract
Miniature robots offer new possibilities for access to confined spaces in applications such as high-value asset inspection. However, most current insect-scale robots lack the ability to adapt their shape for enhanced mobility. Inspired by insects' exoskeletal compliance, we developed modular robots with actuated legs, passive inter-segment flexures, and origami linkages for optimized mechanics. These robots demonstrate omnidirectional locomotion and can traverse various confinements. The exoskeletal shape-morphing design enables passive body compliance, allowing navigation through spaces smaller than the neutral body shape, advancing accessibility to previously unreachable terrains.
Biography
Heiko Kabutz is a PhD candidate studying in the Animal Inspired Movement and Robotics Lab at the University of Colorado Boulder, USA. He grew up in South Africa, and completed his bachelor degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pretoria (South Africa) in 2019. His research interests include the mechanical design, biomechanics and insect-scale manufacturing of legged movement mechanisms for bioinspired robotics.
About the Seminar Series
The Maryland Robotics Center's Future Leaders in Robotics and AI Seminar Series at the University of Maryland is a nationwide online seminar series for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career professionals. The seminar series highlights the latest research and innovation in the field of robotics and AI. The series is intended to provide exposure and mentorship opportunities to the speakers, build a network of innovators across the country, and support the speakers’ career planning.
The seminars are held on select dates during spring. There are two speakers per seminar. Each speaker gives a 20-minute research presentation followed by a Q&A segment. Immediately after the second seminar, the speakers participate in a discussion with faculty. For more information, please visit: https://robotics.umd.edu/FutureLeaders
