# Yonas Tadesse: 4D Printing, Humanoid Robots, Bionic Humans, AI for Engineers | Hard Tech Podcast #19

- Show: [Hard Tech Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast)
- Published: 2024-05-26
- Length: 1h 43m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te
- Listen: https://rss.com/podcasts/hardtechpodcast/1492117

## Summary

Yonas Tadesse, a professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Texas at Dallas, discusses his research in soft robotics, 4D printing, and bionic humanoids. He explains how shape-memory polymers and alloys enable structures to change form over time, with applications in medical devices like dynamic hand orthoses for stroke rehabilitation. Tadesse also analyzes the shift in humanoid robotics from hydraulic to electric systems, citing Boston Dynamics' Atlas as a key driver of US research leadership, and offers advice on engineering education and funding.

## Chapters

- [0:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=3) Introduction and Background
- [4:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=250) Engineering Education and Curriculum
- [22:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=1346) AI in Engineering and Education
- [31:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=1862) 4D Printing and Smart Materials
- [38:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=2317) Soft Robotics and Medical Applications
- [1:13:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=4404) Humanoid Robotics and Boston Dynamics
- [1:20:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=4835) Cost and Complexity of Humanoid Robots
- [1:40:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te#t=6022) Advice for Aspiring Engineers and Professors

## Topics

- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists

## Mentioned

- University of Texas at Dallas (company)
- Boston Dynamics (company)
- Atlas (product)
- Asimo (product)
- Toyota (company)
- Georgia Tech (company)
- da Vinci (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [111. Biomimicry From The Ground Up Via Multi-material 3D Printing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2023-02-28-111-biomimicry-from-the-ground-up-via-multi-material-3d-printing) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Marc Raibert on the future of robotics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2023-07-25-marc-raibert-on-the-future-of-robotics) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode Thirty-One: Chris Atkeson](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-01-06-episode-thirty-one-chris-atkeson) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode 161: Collaborative haptic systems - Allison Okamura](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode Twenty-Seven: Simon Wanstall](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2022-11-25-episode-twenty-seven-simon-wanstall) (Robot Talk)

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