Max Robotics — Global Service Robot Directory + US Certification

About

Eliad Cohen is a leading figure in the emerging field of soft robotics, with a research focus on the design, manufacturing, and locomotion of soft-material robots. His major contributions center on developing practical methodologies for creating robots from non-rigid materials, particularly through additive manufacturing and tendon-driven actuation. Cohen pioneered a design and manufacturing method for tendon-driven soft foam robots, using castable open-cell polyurethane foam to create structures capable of large deformations (up to ~70% strain) while requiring low torque to operate—a breakthrough for creating lightweight, compliant machines. His work on defining soft materials for robotic design and establishing design methodologies for soft-material robots has laid crucial groundwork for the field, enabling locomotion in unstructured environments. With his most-cited paper garnering 27 citations and his foundational definition paper reaching 20 citations, Cohen’s research is shaping how robots can alter their shape and size for applications in rescue operations and unknown terrains. His notable achievements include advancing friction manipulation and motor-tendon actuation for precise locomotion control, demonstrating how soft materials can store and release elastic energy to navigate complex environments.