# Episode 96: Soft robots in medicine and healthcare - Maria Elena Giannaccini

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2024-11-01
- Length: 28m
- Episode: 96
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-ninety-six-maria-elena-giannaccini

## Summary

Maria Elena Giannaccini, a lecturer in robotics at the University of Aberdeen, discusses her research into soft and bio-inspired robotics for healthcare applications. She details the development of a wearable rehabilitation device for stroke survivors that uses decoupled soft actuators to allow natural elbow movement, addressing the challenges of nonlinear control and user variability. Giannaccini also highlights her earlier work on an artificial larynx and the use of soft robots to test biological theories, such as those regarding octopus arm mechanics.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini#t=7) Introduction and Bio-inspired Origins
- [2:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini#t=124) The OCTOPUS Project and Biological Testing
- [6:51](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini#t=411) Wearable Stroke Rehabilitation Device
- [13:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini#t=825) Decoupled Actuators and Nonlinear Control
- [22:25](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-11-01-episode-96-soft-robots-in-medicine-and-healthcare-maria-elena-giannaccini#t=1345) Artificial Larynx and Surgical Applications

## Topics

- [Robotics & autonomy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/robotics-and-autonomy)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Medical & health devices](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/medical-devices)
- [Embedded firmware](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/embedded-firmware)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- University of Aberdeen (company)
- OCTOPUS project (other)
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory (company)
- Emergence Network Plus (other)
- Robot Talk (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [228. Harvard’s Soft Robot Gives Movement Back to ALS & Stroke Patients](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-09-09-228-harvards-soft-robot-gives-movement-back-to-als-stroke-patients) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [189: The Squishiness Factor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-03-02-189-the-squishiness-factor) (Embedded.fm)
- [53. Mind-Control and Bug-Like Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-01-18-53-mind-control-and-bug-like-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [157. Exoskeleton To Help Parkinson’s Patients Walk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2024-01-16-157-exoskeleton-to-help-parkinsons-patients-walk) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [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)

## Citing this page

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