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EU funding (€9,999,805): Closed-loop Controlled Soft Robots for Precise, Reliable, and Versatile Manipulation Hor 26 Jun 2026 EU Research and Innovation programme "Horizon"
Overview
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Closed-loop Controlled Soft Robots for Precise, Reliable, and Versatile Manipulation
European industry—particularly robotic manufacturers—faces mounting pressure to maintain global competitiveness. To remain at the forefront of innovation, Europe must embrace emerging technologies, and soft robotics presents a transformative opportunity. Soft robots, composed of compliant materials, offer intrinsic safety, adaptability, and enhanced interaction capabilities, making them ideal for next-generation smart systems. Recent industrial uptake of soft robotic technologies, such as grippers and suction cups, highlights their practical benefits: reduced damage risk, shape conformity, and improved grasping through material friction. However, most commercial soft end-effectors operate in open-loop or vision-based control, lacking tactile or strain sensing due to integration challenges and sensor limitations. This restricts their precision, versatility, and reliability. This project aims to close the control loop in soft robotics by developing advanced sensing, modeling, and control strategies tailored for deformable materials. By integrating novel sensor technologies and compliant designs, we will enhance the autonomy and intelligence of soft robotic end-effectors. The consortium includes 15 partners from 9 countries—including EU members as well as the United Kingdom and South Korea—bringing together world-class expertise in sensing, soft robotics and materials science. Application sectors span retail and warehouse operations, rehabilitation centers and clinics, electricity suppliers, and offshore energy infrastructure operators. These diverse use cases will serve as real-world testbeds for validating the developed technologies. Our approach aligns with Horizon Europe’s goals to foster safe, adaptive, and intelligent robotic systems. Results will be disseminated via the AI-on-demand platform and contribute to the European AI, Data, and Robotics ecosystem, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in soft robotics.
Funded Companies:
| Company name | Funding amount |
| Cnet Centre For New Energy Technologies SA | €455,000 |
| Consiglio Nazionale Delle Ricerche | €669,499 |
| Edentify Foundation MTÜ | €303,125 |
| Festo Oy AB | €49,109 |
| Gripwiq ApS | €454,869 |
| Korea Institute of Science and Technology | €853,886 |
| Ocado Innovation Ltd. | €724,106 |
| Prensilia Srl | €1,166,314 |
| Softgripping GmbH | €892,729 |
| Tampereen Korkeakoulusaatio sr | €1,205,550 |
| Tangi0 Ltd. | €587,052 |
| Tartu Ulikool | €555,688 |
| Touchlab Ltd. | €649,865 |
| Turun Yliopisto | €562,939 |
| Universiteit Twente | €870,075 |
Source: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101297189
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