# Episode 161: Collaborative haptic systems - Allison Okamura

- Show: [Robot Talk](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk)
- Published: 2026-06-19
- Length: 39m
- Episode: 161
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura
- Listen: https://ukrobotics.libsyn.com/episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura

## Summary

Allison Okamura, a professor at Stanford University and director of the CHARM lab, discusses collaborative haptic systems and soft robotics for medical and rehabilitation applications. She details projects including generative AI design co-pilots for continuum robots, ARPA-H funded 3D bioprinting of biological hearts, and wearable haptic devices using knitted fabrics and self-donning mechanisms. The conversation also covers vine robots for infrastructure inspection and the use of haptics in educational settings to teach physics and numeracy.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura#t=7) Introduction: Allison Okamura and Stanford's CHARM Lab
- [4:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura#t=289) Generative AI for Robot Design and Continuum Robots
- [13:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura#t=793) 3D Bioprinting Biological Hearts with ARPA-H
- [14:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura#t=845) Haptic Feedback: Transparency, Stability, and Wearables
- [25:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura#t=1552) Knitted Wearables and Self-Donning Clothing
- [29:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura#t=1783) Vine Robots for Pipe Inspection and Search and Rescue
- [34:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2026-06-19-episode-161-collaborative-haptic-systems-allison-okamura#t=2070) Haptics in Education: Physics, Piano, and Numeracy

## Topics

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

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Stanford University (company)
- CHARM Lab (other)
- ARIA (other)
- Vine Robot (product)

## 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)
- [35. The Feisty Crustacean That Inspired A New Generation of Super Robots](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-next-byte-podcast/2021-09-14-35-the-feisty-crustacean-that-inspired-a-new-generation-of-super-robots) (The Next Byte Podcast)
- [Yonas Tadesse: 4D Printing, Humanoid Robots, Bionic Humans, AI for Engineers | Hard Tech Podcast #19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hard-tech-podcast/2024-05-26-yonas-tadesse-4d-printing-humanoid-robots-bionic-humans-ai-for-engineers-hard-te) (Hard Tech Podcast)
- [382: Playing In the Desert](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2021-07-29-382-playing-in-the-desert) (Embedded.fm)
- [189: The Squishiness Factor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-03-02-189-the-squishiness-factor) (Embedded.fm)

## Citing this page

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