Scuola superiore sant'anna
Assistant Professor
Matteo Cianchetti
- PROFILE
- PUBLICATIONS
- PATENTS
- RESEARCH
- LESSONS AND CONFERENCES
Dr. Matteo Cianchetti is currently Assistant Professor with The BioRobotics Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna where he leads the Soft Mechatronics for Biorobotics Lab with a team of 6 people. He received the MSc degree in Biomedical Engineering (cum laude) from the University of Pisa, Italy, in 2007 and the PhD degree in Biorobotics (cum laude) from Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna. He is author or co-author of more than 50 international peer reviewed papers and he regularly serves as a reviewer for more than 25 international ISI journals and for several supporting agencies.
He has been and currently is involved in EU-funded projects with the main focus on the development of Soft Robotics technologies: OCTOPUS IP, STIFF-FLOP IP, I-SUPPORT, RoboSoft CA, SMART-E Marie Curie ITN and Hybrid Heart to name a few.
Contributo su Rivista
- Conte, Arianna; Maselli, Martina; Nacci, Andrea; Manti, Mariangela; Galli, Jacopo; Paludetti, Gaetano; Ursino, Francesco; Laschi, Cecilia; Cianchetti, Matteo
Conductive Silicone Vocal Folds Reproducing Electroglottographic Signal in Pathophysiological Conditions
337-348 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON MEDICAL ROBOTICS AND BIONICS (2021)
Volume nr. : 3
Issue nr. : 1 - Zaidi, Shadab; Maselli, Martina; Laschi, Cecilia; Cianchetti, Matteo
Actuation Technologies for Soft Robot Grippers and Manipulators: A Review
355-369 CURRENT ROBOTICS REPORTS (2021)
Volume nr. : 2
Issue nr. : 1 - Arleo, L.; Bondi, G.; Albini, S.; Maselli, M.; Cianchetti, M.
Design methodology for the development of variable stiffness devices based on layer jamming transition
14 ENGINEERING RESEARCH EXPRESS (2021)
Volume nr. : 3
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, Matteo
Embodied Intelligence in Soft Robotics Through Hardware Multifunctionality
7 FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI (2021)
Volume nr. : 8
Issue nr. : 1 - Lunni, D.; Cianchetti, M.; Filippeschi, C.; Sinibaldi, E.; Mazzolai, B.
Plant-Inspired Soft Bistable Structures Based on Hygroscopic Electrospun Nanofibers
8 ADVANCED MATERIALS INTERFACES (2020)
Volume nr. : 7
Issue nr. : 1 - Zlatintsi, A.; Dometios, A. C.; Kardaris, N.; Rodomagoulakis, I.; Koutras, P.; Papageorgiou, X.; Maragos, P.; Tzafestas, C. S.; Vartholomeos, P.; Hauer, K.; Werner, C.; Annicchiarico, R.; Lombardi, M. G.; Adriano, F.; Asfour, T.; Sabatini, A. M.; Laschi, C.; Cianchetti, M.; Guler, A.; Kokkinos, I.; Klein, B.; Lopez, R.
I-Support: A robotic platform of an assistive bathing robot for the elderly population
20 ROBOTICS AND AUTONOMOUS SYSTEMS (2020)
Volume nr. : 126
Issue nr. : 1 - Nacci, A.; Macerata, A.; Bastiani, L.; Paludetti, G.; Galli, J.; Marchese, M. R.; Barillari, M. R.; Barillari, U.; Laschi, C.; Cianchetti, M.; Manti, M.; Berrettini, S.; Fattori, B.; Ursino, F.
Evaluation of the Electroglottographic Signal Variability in Organic and Functional Dysphonia
12 JOURNAL OF VOICE (2020)
Issue nr. : 1 - Arleo, L.; Stano, G.; Percoco, G.; Cianchetti, M.
I-support soft arm for assistance tasks: a new manufacturing approach based on 3D printing and characterization
14 PROGRESS IN ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (2020)
Issue nr. : 1 - Brancadoro, Margherita; Manti, Mariangela; Tognarelli, Selene; Cianchetti, Matteo
Fiber Jamming Transition as a Stiffening Mechanism for Soft Robotics
12 SOFT ROBOTICS (2020)
Issue nr. : 1 - Nacci, A; Romeo, S O; Cavaliere, M D; Macerata, A; Bastiani, L; Paludetti, G; Galli, J; Marchese, M R; Barillari, M R; Barillari, U; Berrettini, S; Laschi, C; Cianchetti, M; Manti, M; Ursino, F; Fattori, B
Comparison of electroglottographic variability index in euphonic and pathological voice
381-388 ACTA OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGICA ITALICA (2019)
Volume nr. : 39
Issue nr. : 1 - Brancadoro, M.; Manti, M.; Grani, F.; Tognarelli, S.; Menciassi, A.; Cianchetti, M.
Toward a variable stiffness surgical manipulator based on fiber jamming transition
12 FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI (2019)
Volume nr. : 6
Issue nr. : 1 - Hassan, Taimoor; Cianchetti, Matteo; Moatamedi, Moji; Mazzolai, Barbara; Laschi, Cecilia; Dario, Paolo
Finite Element Modeling and Design of a Pneumatic Braided Muscle Actuator with Multi-functional Capabilities
109-119 IEEE/ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS (2018)
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia; Menciassi, Arianna; Dario, Paolo
Biomedical applications of soft robotics
143-153 NATURE REVIEWS. MATERIALS (2018)
Volume nr. : 3
Issue nr. : 1 - Oliveri, Alberto; Maselli, Martina; Lodi, Matteo; Storace, Marco; Cianchetti, Matteo
Model-based compensation of rate-dependent hysteresis in a piezoresistive strain sensor
8205-8213 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONICS (2018)
Volume nr. : 66
Issue nr. : 1 - Ansari, Y.; Manti, M.; Falotico, E.; Cianchetti, M.; Laschi, C.
Multiobjective Optimization for Stiffness and Position Control in a Soft Robot Arm Module
108-115 IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS (2018)
Volume nr. : 3
Issue nr. : 1 - Abidi, Syed Haider Jawad; Gerboni, Giada; Brancadoro, Margherita; Diodato, Alessandro; Cianchetti, Matteo; Wurdemann, Helge; Althoefer, Kaspar; Menciassi, Arianna
Highly dexterous 2-module soft robot for intra-organ navigation in minimally invasive surgery
9 THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ROBOTICS AND COMPUTER ASSISTED SURGERY (2018)
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, Matteo; Abidi, SYED HAIDER JAWAD
On Intrinsic Safety of Soft Robots
6 FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI (2017)
Volume nr. : 4
Issue nr. : 1 - Diodato, Alessandro; Brancadoro, Margherita; De Rossi, Giacomo; Abidi, SYED HAIDER JAWAD; Dall'Alba, Diego; Muradore, Riccardo; Ciuti, Gastone; Fiorini, Paolo; Menciassi, Arianna; Cianchetti, Matteo
Soft Robotic Manipulator for Improving Dexterity in Minimally Invasive Surgery
69-76 SURGICAL INNOVATION (2017)
Volume nr. : 25
Issue nr. : 1 - DE FALCO, Iris; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna
A soft multi-module manipulator with variable stiffness for minimally invasive surgery
16 BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS (2017)
Volume nr. : 12
Issue nr. : 1 - Ansari, Yasmin; Manti, Mariangela; Falotico, Egidio; Mollard, Yoan; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia
Towards the development of a soft manipulator as an assistive robot for personal care of elderly people
17 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED ROBOTIC SYSTEMS (2017)
Volume nr. : 14
Issue nr. : 1 - Grassi, Angela; Cecchi, Francesca; Maselli, Martina; Roling, Marloes; Laschi, Cecilia; Cianchetti, Matteo
Warp-Knitted Textile as a Strain Sensor: Characterization Procedure and Application in a Comfortable Wearable Goniometer
5927-5936 IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL (2017)
Volume nr. : 17
Issue nr. : 1 - Polygerinos, Panagiotis; Correll, Nikolaus; Morin, Stephen A.; Mosadegh, Bobak; Onal, Cagdas D.; Petersen, Kirstin; Cianchetti, Matteo; Tolley, Michael T.; Shepherd, Robert F.
Soft Robotics: Review of Fluid-Driven Intrinsically Soft Devices; Manufacturing, Sensing, Control, and Applications in Human-Robot Interaction
22 ADVANCED ENGINEERING MATERIALS (2017)
Volume nr. : 19
Issue nr. : 1 - Gerboni, Giada; Diodato, Alessandro; Ciuti, Gastone; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna
Feedback control of soft robot actuators via commercial flex bend sensors
1881-1888 IEEE/ASME TRANSACTIONS ON MECHATRONICS (2017)
Volume nr. : 22
Issue nr. : 1 - Renda, Federico; Cianchetti, Matteo; Abidi, Syed Haider Jawad; Dias, Jorge; Seneviratne, Lakmal
Screw-based modeling of soft manipulators with tendon and fluidic actuation
10 JOURNAL OF MECHANISMS AND ROBOTICS (2017)
Volume nr. : 9
Issue nr. : 1 - Sato, Tasuku; Yamanishi, Yoko; Cacucciolo, Vito; Kuwajima, Yu; Shigemune, Hiroki; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia; Maeda, Shingo
Electrohydrodynamic Conduction Pump with Asymmetrical Electrode Structures in the Microchannels
950-952 CHEMISTRY LETTERS (2017)
Volume nr. : 46
Issue nr. : 1 - Cacucciolo, Vito; Shigemune, Hiroki; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia; Maeda, Shingo
Conduction Electrohydrodynamics with Mobile Electrodes: A Novel Actuation System for Untethered Robots
6 ADVANCED SCIENCE (2017)
Volume nr. : 4
Issue nr. : 1 - Taimoor, Hassan; Cianchetti, Matteo; Mazzolai, Barbara; Laschi, Cecilia; Dario, Paolo
Active-Braid, a Bioinspired Continuum Manipulator
2104-2110 IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS (2017)
Volume nr. : 2
Issue nr. : 1 - George Thuruthel, Thomas; Falotico, Egidio; Manti, Mariangela; Pratesi, Andrea; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia
Learning Closed Loop Kinematic Controllers for Continuum Manipulators in Unstructured Environments
12 SOFT ROBOTICS (2017)
Volume nr. : 4
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia
Pleasant to the Touch: By Emulating Nature, Scientists Hope to Find Innovative New Uses for Soft Robotics in Health-Care Technology
34-37 IEEE PULSE (2016)
Volume nr. : 7
Issue nr. : 1 - Arezzo, Alberto; Mintz, Yoav; Allaix, Marco Ettore; Arolfo, Simone; Bonino, Marco; Gerboni, Giada; Brancadoro, Margherita; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna; Wurdemann, Helge; Noh, Yohan; Althoefer, Kaspar; Fras, Jan; Glowka, Jakob; Nawrat, Zbigniew; Cassidy, Gavin; Walker, Rich; Morino, Mario
Total mesorectal excision using a soft and flexible robotic arm: a feasibility study in cadaver models
1-10 SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY (2016)
Issue nr. : 1 - Shiva, Ali; Stilli, Agostino; Noh, Yohan; Faragasso, Angela; Falco, Iris De; Gerboni, Giada; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna; Althoefer, Kaspar; Wurdemann, Helge A.
Tendon-Based Stiffening for a Pneumatically Actuated Soft Manipulator
632-637 IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION LETTERS (2016)
Volume nr. : 1
Issue nr. : 1 - Calisti, Marcello; Cianchetti, Matteo; Manti, Mariangela; Corucci, Francesco; Laschi, Cecilia
Contest-Driven Soft-Robotics Boost: The RoboSoft Grand Challenge
13 FRONTIERS IN ROBOTICS AND AI (2016)
Volume nr. : 3
Issue nr. : 1 - Manti, Mariangela; Cacucciolo, Vito; Cianchetti, Matteo
Stiffening in soft robotics: A review of the state of the art
93-106 IEEE ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION MAGAZINE (2016)
Volume nr. : 23
Issue nr. : 1 - Gerboni, G.; Brancadoro, M.; Tortora, G.; Diodato, A.; Cianchetti, M.; Menciassi, A.
A novel linear elastic actuator for minimally invasive surgery: Development of a surgical gripper
10 SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES (2016)
Volume nr. : 25
Issue nr. : 1 - Laschi, Cecilia; Cianchetti, Matteo; Mazzolai, B.
Soft robotics: Technologies and systems pushing the boundaries of robot abilities
11 SCIENCE ROBOTICS (2016)
Volume nr. : 1
Issue nr. : 1 - Maeda, Shingo; Kato, Terukazu; Otsuka, Yuji; Hosoya, Naoki; Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia
Large deformation of self-oscillating polymer gel
5 PHYSICAL REVIEW. E (2016)
Volume nr. : 93
Issue nr. : 1 - Ranzani, Tommaso; Cianchetti, Matteo; Gerboni, Giada; De Falco, Iris; Menciassi, Arianna
A Soft Modular Manipulator for Minimally Invasive Surgery: Design and Characterization of a Single Module
187-200 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ROBOTICS (2016)
Volume nr. : 32
Issue nr. : 1 - Cacucciolo, Vito; Renda, Federico; Poccia, Ernesto; Laschi, Cecilia; Cianchetti, Matteo
Modelling the nonlinear response of fibre-reinforced bending fluidic actuators
12 SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES (2016)
Volume nr. : 25
Issue nr. : 1 - Macerata, Alberto; Nacci, Andrea; Manti, Mariangela; Cianchetti, Matteo; Matteucci, Jacopo; Romeo, Salvatore Osvaldo; Fattori, Bruno; Berrettini, Stefano; Laschi, Cecilia; Ursino, Francesco
Evaluation of the Electroglottographic signal variability by amplitude-speed combined analysis
8 BIOMEDICAL SIGNAL PROCESSING AND CONTROL (2016)
Issue nr. : 1 - Manti, Mariangela; Shah, Syed Taimoor Hassan; Passetti, Giovanni; D'Elia, Nicolo'; Laschi, Cecilia; Cianchetti, Matteo
A Bioinspired Soft Robotic Gripper for Adaptable and Effective Grasping
107-116 SOFT ROBOTICS (2015)
Volume nr. : 2
Issue nr. : 1 - Ranzani, Tommaso; Gerboni, Giada; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna
A bioinspired soft manipulator for minimally invasive surgery
14 BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS (2015)
Volume nr. : 10
Issue nr. : 1 - Elsayed, Yahya; Lekakou, Constantina; Ranzani, Tommaso; Cianchetti, Matteo; Morino, Mario; Arezzo, Alberto; Menciassi, Arianna; Geng, Tao; Saaj, Chakravarthini M
Crimped braided sleeves for soft, actuating arm in robotic abdominal surgery
204-210 MINIMALLY INVASIVE THERAPY & ALLIED TECHNOLOGIES (2015)
Volume nr. : 24
Issue nr. : 1 - Minnocci, Antonio; Cianchetti, Matteo; Mazzolai, Barbara; Sebastiani, Luca; Laschi, Cecilia
Cryo-scanning electron microscopy investigation of the Octopus Vulgaris arm structures for the design of an octopus-like arm artefact
1133-1145 MICROSCOPY RESEARCH AND TECHNIQUE (2015)
Volume nr. : 78
Issue nr. : 1 - Gerboni, Giada; Ranzani, Tommaso; Diodato, Alessandro; Ciuti, Gastone; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna
Modular soft mechatronic manipulator for minimally invasive surgery (MIS): overall architecture and development of a fully integrated soft module
2865-2878 MECCANICA (2015)
Volume nr. : 50
Issue nr. : 1 - De Falco, Iris; Gerboni, Giada; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna
Design and Fabrication of an Elastomeric Unit for Soft Modular Robots in Minimally Invasive Surgery
8 JOURNAL OF VISUALIZED EXPERIMENTS (2015)
Volume nr. : 2015
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, M; Calisti, M; Margheri, L; Kuba, M; Laschi, C
Bioinspired locomotion and grasping in water: the soft eight-arm OCTOPUS robot
19 BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS (2015)
Volume nr. : 10
Issue nr. : 1 - Follador, Maurizio; Cianchetti, Matteo; Mazzolai, Barbara
Design of a compact bistable mechanism based on dielectric elastomer actuators
2741-2749 MECCANICA (2015)
Volume nr. : 50
Issue nr. : 1 - Rateni, Giovanni; Cianchetti, Matteo; Ciuti, Gastone; Menciassi, Arianna; Laschi, Cecilia
Design and development of a soft robotic gripper for manipulation in minimally invasive surgery: a proof of concept
2855-2863 MECCANICA (2015)
Volume nr. : 50
Issue nr. : 1 - Vannozzi, Lorenzo; Ricotti, Leonardo; Cianchetti, Matteo; Bearzi, C; Gargioli, C; Rizzi, R; Dario, Paolo; Menciassi, Arianna
Self-assembly of polydimethylsiloxane structures from 2D to 3D for bio-hybrid actuation
16 BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS (2015)
Volume nr. : 10
Issue nr. : 1 - Elsayed, Yahya; Vincensi, Augusto; Lekakou, Constantina; Geng, Tao; Saaj, C. M.; Ranzani, Tommaso; Cianchetti, Matteo; Menciassi, Arianna
Finite Element Analysis and Design Optimization of a Pneumatically Actuating Silicone Module for Robotic Surgery Applications
255-262 SOFT ROBOTICS (2014)
Volume nr. : 1
Issue nr. : 1 - F. Renda;M. Giorelli;M. Calisti;M. Cianchetti;C. Laschi
Dynamic Model of a Multibending Soft Robot Arm Driven by Cables
1109-1122 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON ROBOTICS (2014)
Volume nr. : 30
Issue nr. : 1 - Matteo Cianchetti;Alessia Licofonte;Maurizio Follador;Francesco Rogai;Cecilia Laschi
Bioinspired Soft Actuation System Using Shape Memory Alloys
226-244 ACTUATORS (2014)
Volume nr. : 3
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, Matteo; Ranzani, Tommaso; Gerboni, Giada; Thrishantha, Nanayakkara; Kaspar, Althoefer; Prokar, Dasgupta; Menciassi, Arianna
Soft Robotics Technologies to Address Shortcomings in Today's Minimally Invasive Surgery: The STIFF-FLOP Approach
122-131 SOFT ROBOTICS (2014)
Volume nr. : 1
Issue nr. : 1 - Cecilia Laschi;Matteo Cianchetti
Soft Robotics: New Perspectives for Robot Bodyware and Control
5 FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY (2014)
Volume nr. : 2
Issue nr. : 1 - T. Zheng; D. T. Branson; E. Guglielmino; R. Kang; G. A. Medrano Cerda; M. Cianchetti; M. Follador; I. S. Godage; D. G. Caldwell
Model Validation of an Octopus Inspired Continuum Robotic Arm for Use in Underwater Environments
11 JOURNAL OF MECHANISMS AND ROBOTICS (2013)
Volume nr. : 5
Issue nr. : 1 - Mazzolai, Barbara; Margheri, Laura; Cianchetti, Matteo; Dario, Paolo; Laschi, Cecilia
Soft robotic arm inspired by the octopus. II. From artificial requirements to innovative technological solutions.
14 BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS (2012)
Volume nr. : 7
Issue nr. : 1 - Laschi, Cecilia; Cianchetti, Matteo; Mazzolai, Barbara; Margheri, Laura; Follador, Maurizio; Dario, Paolo
Soft Robot Arm Inspired by the Octopus
709-727 ADVANCED ROBOTICS (2012)
Volume nr. : 26
Issue nr. : 1 - Maurizio Follador; Matteo Cianchetti ; Andrea Arienti ;Cecilia Laschi
A general method for the design and fabrication of shape memory alloy active spring actuators
10 SMART MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES (2012)
Volume nr. : 21
Issue nr. : 1 - F. Renda; M. Cianchetti; M. Giorelli; A. Arienti; C. Laschi
A 3D Steady State Model of a Tendon-Driven Continuum Soft Manipulator Inspired by Octopus Arm
12 BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS (2012)
Volume nr. : 7
Issue nr. : 1 - M. Cianchetti; A. Arienti; M. Follador; B. Mazzolai; P. Dario; C. Laschi
Design concept and validation of a robotic arm inspired by the octopus
1230-1239 MATERIALS SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING. C, BIOMIMETIC MATERIALS, SENSORS AND SYSTEMS (2011)
Volume nr. : 31
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, M.; Mattoli, V.; Mazzolai, B.; Laschi, C.; Dario, P.
A new design methodology of electrostrictive actuators for bio-inspired robotics
288-297 SENSORS AND ACTUATORS. B, CHEMICAL (2009)
Volume nr. : 142
Issue nr. : 1 - C. Laschi; B. Mazzolai; V. Mattoli; M. Cianchetti; P. Dario
Design of a Biomimetic Robotic Octopus Arm
1-8 BIOINSPIRATION & BIOMIMETICS (2009)
Volume nr. : 4
Issue nr. : 1 - M. CIANCHETTI; V. MATTOLI; B. MAZZOLAI; C. LASCHI; P. DARIO
A new design methodology of electrostrictive actuators for bioinspired robotics
288-297 SENSORS AND ACTUATORS. B, CHEMICAL (2009)
Volume nr. : 142
Issue nr. : 1
Patent
- Baldoni, Andrea; Cianchetti, Matteo; Crea, Simona; Vitiello, Nicola
Guscio ortesico a rigidezza variabile
(2019)
Issue nr. : 1 - Parri, A.; Grassi, A.; Martini, E.; Crea, S.; Cianchetti, M.; Vitiello, N.
Robot indossabile con architettura di sensing perfezionata
(2018)
Issue nr. : 1 - Parri, A.; Grassi, A.; Martini, E.; Crea, S.; Cianchetti, M.; Vitiello, N.
Robot indossabile con architettura di sensing perfezionata
(2017)
Issue nr. : 1 - Cianchetti, Matteo; Laschi, Cecilia; Dario, Paolo; Shah, SYED TAIMOOR HASSAN; Mazzolai, Barbara
Pneumatic device for actuating organs
(2016)
Issue nr. : 1 - Manti, M.; Cianchetti, M.; Vitiello, N.; Laschi, C.; Brocchi, D.; Buliani, C.
Dispositivo e metodo per acquisire la forma di oggetti
(2016)
Issue nr. : 1 - Matteo Cianchetti; Maurizio Follador; Andrea Arienti; Cecilia Laschi; Barbara Mazzolai; Paolo Dario
Polpo robotico
(2010)
Issue nr. : 1
His main research interests include the study and development of new systems and technologies based on soft/flexible materials for soft actuators, smart compliant sensors and flexible mechanisms.
The framework for the research activities led by Dr Matteo Cianchetti to date is Soft Robotics with focus on Soft Mechatronics for Biorobotics (also the name of the Laboratory he currently heads).
His research activities mainly focus on the development of soft mechatronics technologies both as enabling technologies and for specific applications in different fields. In the OCTOPUS (EU funded) project, he had the opportunity to apply the principles of bioinspired robotics, effectively translating biologically inspired concepts into artificial technologies[1]. At the same time, he was the technical team leader of a group of four scientists investigating how to develop a completely soft 8-arm octopus-like robot.
In this context, he acquired theoretical and hands-on experience on several technologies such as ElectroActive Polymers (EAP), Shape Memory Alloys (SMA), Flexible Fluidic Actuators (FFA) and Jamming-based technologies. Other than actuation, he also explored new possibilities for soft sensing especially using smart stretchable textiles and conductive fluids.
In the last few years these technologies have demonstrated their potential in sensing and actuation, thus while working on the improvement of these investigated solutions and on the development of new enabling technologies, he spent efforts in their use in specific applications where a compliant yet effective interaction is required:
- in assistive robotics, the EU funded I-SUPPORT project aims at developing a new smart and soft arm (a soft robotic shower) that assists elderly people in executing bathing tasks (frame A);
- in surgery, within the EU funded STIFF-FLOP project, he investigated a novel generation of soft and variable stiffness surgical manipulators with unprecedented dexterity[2] (frame B);
- in manufacturing, innovative compliant tools for grasping and manipulation have been developed within the EU funded SMART-E project (frame C);
- in the area of artificial organs, recently, he has received a grant within the EU funded Hybrid Heart project for the development of an artificial heart that relies on a hybrid combination of soft robotics, tissue engineering and wireless energy transfer.
Moreover, novel solutions for wearable robotics, realistic soft simulators of body parts (frame D) are other examples of other activities Matteo Cianchetti led or supervised where these new smart and soft-bodied technologies are being exploited.
First results in technology transfer are also visible. A big oil and gas company asked for a novel technological solution based on soft robotics to face the issue of inspection and restoration of pipelines. A collaboration with an international company leader in sportswear and equipment is leading to novel technological solutions for improving performances and safety. As a personal initiative, he is the promotor of a collaboration with 2 companies for the development of an educational kit based on soft robotics technologies.
Dr Matteo Cianchetti is also very active in the Soft Robotics international community, being directly involved in the RoboSoft Coordination Action for promoting the diffusion of the soft mechatronics technologies and for coordinating efforts among European soft-roboticists actors in developing new solutions. With the support of this consolidated network, Matteo Cianchetti contributed to the organization of two successful editions of the “Soft Robotics Week”, an event dedicated to soft robotics with international plenary speakers, summer schools and robotic competitions. He has been appointed as Local Chair for organizing the first edition of the IEEE-RAS International Conference on Soft Robotics (RoboSoft 2018).
[1] Nature video – Soft Robots (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7AFsk40NGE)
[2] BBC World News – How the octopus inspires surgical tools (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p04jbqvj)
Soft and smart materials for Bionics (AY 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, ongoing)
within the two-year M.Sc. program in Bionics Engineering jointly held by the University of Pisa and the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna.
Innovative actuation technologies (AY 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018, 2018-2019, ongoing)
within the PhD program in BioRobotics of the BioRobotics Institute of the Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna.
INFO:
- Council of the Biorobotics Institute