From March 25th to 27th, 2025, the MAPWORMS project was actively involved in the European Robotics Forum (ERF) held in Stuttgart, Germany — one of the most important annual gatherings for the European robotics community. In collaboration with project partners, MAPWORMS organized both a dedicated booth and a high-profile workshop, aiming to present ongoing developments, connect with the broader robotics ecosystem, and gather feedback on potential applications of the technologies developed within the project.
The workshop, titled “How to bring Soft Robotics to Applications?”, was co-organized by Dr. Linda Paternò (Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies), Dr. Gernot Kronreif (Austrian Center for Medical Innovation and Technology), and Dr. Florian Hartmann (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems). The session featured invited talks from leading experts in the field:
- Dr. Maria Elena Giannaccini (University of Aberdeen) opened the workshop with an overview of soft robotic systems for rehabilitation, focusing on a pneumatic exosuit for upper-limb assistance that integrates EMG sensors to enhance safety.
- Prof. Kaspar Althoefer (Queen Mary University of London) followed with a presentation on soft robotic manipulators for minimally invasive procedures such as endoscopy and abdominal surgery.
- Dr. Alona Shagan (Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems) demonstrated applications of soft electrohydraulic actuators for tremor suppression, in vitro tremor simulation, and haptic feedback in VR environments.
- Prof. Hedan Bai (ETH Zurich) presented sensorized soft robots and soft bioelectronic devices with promising applications in surgery.
The workshop concluded with a panel discussion to address the main challenges of translating soft robotics research into real-world applications. In addition to the speakers, the panel featured Andrea Peirone (Embodied AI, a Swiss-Dutch spin-off from EPFL and TU Delft), and was moderated by the organizing team. The discussion was highly interactive, with direct input from the audience.
Among the key takeaways from the workshop were several compelling reasons why soft robotics is well-positioned for wider adoption:
Soft robotic systems, particularly in wearable applications, are inherently more adaptable to different users due to their compliant form factors and stretchable materials. Moreover, soft robots are intrinsically safer than conventional systems. Their lightweight and compliant nature means they pose far less risk in human interaction scenarios, even in case of power loss or sensor failure. Lastly, due to the use of low-cost materials like polymers and their simpler mechanical architectures, soft robotic systems have the potential to be manufactured at lower costs, increasing their attractiveness across a wide range of sectors.
Still, the field faces critical technical challenges — namely, the need for increased actuation force, improved long-term durability, and reliable integration of sensory feedback. Addressing these will be key to unlocking the full potential of soft robotics in future applications.
Alongside the workshop, the MAPWORMS team also hosted an exhibition booth designed to demonstrate the project’s bioinspired technologies and engage attendees in an interactive way. The booth featured:
- A main display area with robotic prototypes and live demonstrations
- A video station showing footage of both the biological worm and its artificial counterpart, highlighting the project’s bioinspired approach
- A questionnaire, accessible via QR code or in printed form, where visitors could share their thoughts on potential application areas
To gather valuable insights, a 10-question survey was developed to capture visitors’ interests, expectations, and perspectives on MAPWORMS technologies. The survey received 61 responses out of 70 scans, reflecting strong engagement from the robotics community.
MAPWORMS’ participation at ERF 2025 was a strategic opportunity to showcase progress, collect feedback, and foster dialogue around the future of soft robotics. The ERF itself — organized by euRobotics — continues to serve as a unique platform connecting research and industry, with exhibitions, B2B meetings, workshops, and talks that shape the future direction of robotics in Europe.
Stay tuned for more updates on MAPWORMS and our journey toward innovative and impactful soft robotic solutions.