SoKoRoMed

Soft and continuum robotics for medical applications

The aim of the project is to develop intelligent soft and continuum robots (SCR) that can be flexibly adapted to anatomical conditions and safely integrated into clinical treatment procedures. To this end, three professorships at HTWK Leipzig are working together on an interdisciplinary basis to combine material development, simulation and control technology into a holistic robot system.

The Chair of Lightweight Construction with Composite Materials is developing biocompatible, sustainable materials and 3D printing processes for soft, patient-specific components. The Chair of Simulation of Energetic and Technical Systems models the mechanical behaviour of robots using finite element methods, thus enabling virtual evaluation and optimization of structures. The Chair of Systems Theory and Mechatronics contributes expertise in the modeling, control and safeguarding of complex robot systems – with a focus on human-robot interaction, digital twins and safety-oriented control.

The targeted combination of these competencies results in an innovative solution approach for safe, adaptable and sustainable robotics in the medical environment. Implementation requires public funding, as the technological complexity and economic requirements cannot be borne by individual players alone.