3D Printing Robots with Bones, Ligaments, and Tendons

As a result of new technology developed by researchers at ETH Zurich, researchers can now 3D print complex, more durable robots from a variety of high-quality materials in one go. The new technology also makes it easy to combine soft, elastic, and rigid materials. Watch this video to learn more.

“We wouldn’t have been able to make this hand with the fast-curing polyacrylates we’ve been using in 3D printing so far,” explains Thomas Buchner , a doctoral student in the group of ETH Zurich robotics professor Robert Katzschmann and first author of the study. “We’re now using slow-curing thiolene polymers. These have very good elastic properties and return to their original state much faster after bending than polyacrylates.”