English

ZipFold: Modular Actuators for Scaleable Adaptive Robots

Robotics 2026-04-24 v2 Soft Condensed Matter Human-Computer Interaction

Abstract

There is a growing need for robots that can change their shape, size and mechanical properties to adapt to evolving tasks and environments. However, current shape-changing systems generally utilize bespoke, system-specific mechanisms that can be difficult to scale, reconfigure or translate from one application to another. This paper introduces a compact, easy-to-fabricate deployable actuator that achieves reversible scale and stiffness transformations through compound folding and zipping of flexible 3D-printed plastic strips into square-section deployable beams. The simple actuation method allows for smooth, continuous transitions between compact (flexible) and expanded (quasi-rigid) states, facilitating diverse shape and stiffness transformations when modules are combined into larger assemblies. The actuator's mechanical performance is characterized and an integrated system involving a four-module adaptive walking robot is demonstrated.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2604.05260,
  title  = {ZipFold: Modular Actuators for Scaleable Adaptive Robots},
  author = {Niklas Hagemann and Daniela Rus},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2604.05260},
  year   = {2026}
}
R2 v1 2026-07-01T11:56:20.751Z