Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Cassandra M. Donatelli is a leading researcher at the intersection of comparative biomechanics and soft robotics, drawing inspiration from the remarkable locomotion strategies of diverse organisms. Her work focuses on understanding how animals—from caterpillars and hagfish to elongate fishes—move through complex, delicate environments, and then translating those biological principles into innovative engineering designs. Donatelli’s most impactful contribution is the development of **MONOLITh**, a soft, non-pneumatic foam robot with a functional mesh skin, designed for untethered crawling in fragile terrains. Her foundational paper on a caterpillar-inspired soft foam robot (16 citations) established new gait regimes for terrestrial locomotion, while her prototype of a fish-inspired swimming silk robot (4 citations) explores aquatic movement. More recently, her detailed study of biphasic burrowing in Atlantic hagfish (*Myxine limosa*, 3 citations) reveals novel subsurface behaviors. Donatelli also champions interdisciplinary collaboration, as seen in her work on the "Bioinspiration Feedback Loop," which formalizes the exchange between biologists and engineers. Her research is critical for developing robots that can safely navigate disaster zones, medical environments, and other sensitive ecosystems.