# Episode 118: Soft robotics and electronic skin - Miranda Lowther

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2025-04-25
- Length: 36m
- Episode: 118
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther

## Summary

Miranda Lowther, a PhD researcher at the University of Bristol, discusses her development of a sensorized electronic skin (e-skin) for prosthetic liners. She explains how a network of saline-filled channels changes resistance under pressure, allowing machine learning to map discomfort and improve prosthetic fitting. Lowther also explores morphological computation, where the physical structure of the device contributes to its intelligence, and addresses challenges in soft robotics such as material predictability and interdisciplinary collaboration.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=7) Introduction: Claire Asher and Miranda Lowther
- [2:17](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=137) Limitations of current prosthetic limbs: comfort, weight, and fit
- [6:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=396) Designing the sensorized e-skin liner with saline channels
- [11:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=700) Applications of e-skin: healthcare, wearables, and robotics
- [15:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=950) Morphological computation and bio-inspired design
- [21:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=1280) Challenges in soft robotics: predictability, materials, and collaboration
- [26:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=1582) Intelligent actuation and sensorized actuators
- [30:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2025-04-25-episode-118-soft-robotics-and-electronic-skin-miranda-lowther#t=1816) Adaptive prosthetics and self-adjusting liners

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- University of Bristol (company)
- FARSCOPE-TU Centre for Doctoral Training (other)
- Bristol Robotics Laboratory (company)
- Southmead Hospital (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Event-Driven E-Skins Protect Both Robots and Humans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-07-08-event-driven-e-skins-protect-both-robots-and-humans) (EE Times Current)
- [Event-Driven E-Skins Protect Both Robots and Humans](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ee-times-current/2025-07-08-event-driven-e-skins-protect-both-robots-and-humans-6d461685) (EE Times Current)
- [63. Immune System Inspired AI & Electric Skin](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2022-03-29-63-immune-system-inspired-ai-electric-skin) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [234. How Candy-Making Inspired the Future of Smart Textiles](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2025-12-02-234-how-candy-making-inspired-the-future-of-smart-textiles) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [168: Put Your Gear on the Ping Pong Table](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2016-09-14-168-put-your-gear-on-the-ping-pong-table) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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