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Manta Ray
Replicating Nature's Elegant Swimmers Through Soft Robotics and Animated Materials
Soft Robotics · Animated Materials
Replicating Nature's Elegant Swimmers Through Soft Robotics and Animated Materials
Soft Robotics · Animated MaterialsAnimated materials. Using actuation systems to animate a material without electronics. The focus was on exploring and applying material systems to produce a manta ray motion. A hands-on process that led to many iterations, pushing the boundaries of what materials can do on their own.
How can animated materials recreate the graceful motion of a manta ray?
This project explores how the motion of manta rays can be mechanically and aesthetically achieved using animated material systems. Through pneumatic silicone actuation, soft robotic prototypes were developed that replicate the oscillating and undulating fin movements of real manta rays. The translucent silicone body with internal air chambers creates smooth, fluid wing motion when pneumatically actuated, bringing bioinspired engineering to life.
Translucent silicone manta ray — pneumatically actuated soft robot
Manta ray inspired soft actuator through pneumatics and silicone molding
Making silicone breathe — using pneumatic actuation to replicate natural motion, bridging the gap between engineered materials and organic elegance.
Silicone body with internal rib structure for flexible wing movement
Front and side view of the silicone manta ray prototype
Exhibition display showing the molds, syringe actuator, and final prototype