The third general meeting of the MAPWORMS Consortium was held in Lecce from April 1 to 3, 2025, hosted by CoNISMa at the Historical Museum of the City of Lecce and the Ecotekne Campus. This in-person event provided partners with a valuable opportunity to reflect on progress, coordinate future activities, and respond to feedback received during the project’s Second Review Meeting in December 2024.
Over three days, the consortium reviewed updates across all Work Packages (WPs), including WP2 (bioinspiration from marine Annelida), WP3 (shape-morphing modeling), WP4 (stimuli-responsive hydrogels), WP5 (bioinspired morphing robots), and WP6 (application and exploitation strategies). Coordination, communication, and dissemination efforts (WP1) were also discussed.
Prof. Arianna Menciassi, Project Coordinator, opened with a technical overview, outlining the project’s goal to create a new generation of soft robots inspired by the adaptable, decentralized systems of marine annelids. Emphasizing mechano-morphing, modularity, and synthetic actuators, she highlighted the interdisciplinary nature of the work—linking marine biology, materials science, and robotics.
WP2 presented ecological and morphological studies of annelids, identifying Phascolosoma stephensoni as a promising model due to its phenotypic plasticity. Behavior and mechanics were assessed through controlled experiments and micro-CT imaging, supporting bioinspired design.
WP3, presented remotely by Prof. Antonio De Simone, detailed the development of finite element models (FEM) for annelid-like deformation. These models aim to replicate biological shape changes and inform the control of soft robotic systems.
WP4, led by HUJI, showcased redox-responsive hydrogels based on Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺-crosslinked CMC. These materials demonstrate reversible stiffness and self-healing capabilities, crucial for adaptable robotic systems.
WP5, coordinated by SSSA, demonstrated robotic prototypes, including:
- A magnetic eversible robot simulating annelid eversion through internal fluid displacement,
- A peristaltic magnetic robot capable of directional motion, gap-bridging, and transport,
- A pneumatic neurosurgical access port, enabling tool insertion within constrained environments.
WP6 focused on validating these systems in realistic scenarios. ACMIT presented testing in anatomical phantom models, especially targeting minimally invasive neurosurgery. Discussions also explored applications in marine environmental monitoring, including species sampling and pollutant detection.
Hands-on experiments on the final day included the creation of gelatin-based phantoms mimicking brain tissue, and insertion tests using pneumatic soft robots. These tests assessed mechanical compatibility and operational feasibility for neurosurgical use.
Throughout the meeting, reviewer feedback was thoroughly addressed. Key action points include improved WP integration, enhanced exploitation strategies, and a stronger link between biological research and robotic implementation. The meeting laid the groundwork for final deliverables due at Month 36 and reinforced the consortium’s commitment to innovation through nature-inspired engineering.