This course is only open for master level students!

Make sure to bring your own laptop.

Not open for KU Leuven students

By introducing soft materials in the design of robotic systems, they become safe in interaction with humans and other delicate objects. However, their analysis doesn’t fit the traditional hard robotic framework. In this course you will get a broad introduction to the field for soft robotics, where you will learn how to design, fabricate and control these new types of robots, and learn how to apply them in various scenarios. By the end of this project you will have acquired the necessary skills and knowledge to create your own inflatable soft robots and be familiar with some of the state-of-the-art research topics in the soft robotics domain.

This course uses a flipped classroom format in which active student engagement is essential. Students will be asked to independently read journal articles, discuss them in groups, and summarize their content in presentations to fellow students. All students are expected to contribute actively to discussions, engage critically with the literature, and take responsibility for their role in group activities. Attendance alone is thus not sufficient.

This course is therefore only suitable for students who are motivated and willing to participate actively throughout the course. Students who prefer to mainly listen to lectures without contributing are strongly advised not to choose this course.

Before the ATHENS week:

A small practical assignment will be given 2 weeks before.            

Online part from 02/11 to 13/11/2026  

During the course week:

Monday-Thursday: 7 hours a day, a mixture between theory, practice and group discussion

Friday: 3 hours, meeting the experts seminar

After the ATHENS week:

Reflection assignment (deadline two weeks after)

Welcome session on Saturday 14/11 at 5 pm

City trip on Sunday 15/11, whole day

Evening activities TBD

Farewell reception on Friday 20/11 at 4 pm