Papers
18
Total Citations
1,034
H-Index
8
About
Maria Elena Giannaccini is a robotics researcher whose work spans soft robotics, tactile sensing, and bio-inspired robotic systems. She is perhaps best known for her contributions to the TacTip family of soft optical tactile sensors, a landmark 2018 paper that has accumulated over 550 citations and introduced 3D-printed biomimetic morphologies to enhance human-robot interaction and object manipulation. Her broader research portfolio reflects a sustained commitment to compliant, adaptive robotic systems: her work on pneumatic continuum robot arms with decoupled variable stiffness (159 citations) and variable compliance soft grippers (115 citations) has significantly advanced the field of safe physical human-robot interaction. Drawing inspiration from nature, Giannaccini has explored octopus-arm-inspired robotics and McKibben artificial muscles, demonstrating her interest in embodied intelligence and bio-inspired design principles. Her research extends into healthcare robotics, including a respiratory simulator and a soft robot for ankle rehabilitation, showcasing her commitment to translating robotics innovations into clinical applications. Spanning over a decade, her body of work — accumulating more than 1,000 citations — establishes her as an influential voice in the development of safer, more dexterous, and biologically informed robotic systems.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1
- 2
- 3A variable compliance, soft gripper115 citations · 2013
- 4
- 5
- 6Design and control of a novel variable stiffness soft arm36 citations · 2018
- 7
- 8Genetic Algorithm-based Control of a Two-Wheeled Self-Balancing Robot8 citations · 2025
- 9Respiratory simulator for robotic respiratory tract treatments7 citations · 2017
- 10Soft robot for ankle rehabilitation6 citations · 2023