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Master'sRobotics, Automation & Control Applications open

Master’s in Soft Robotics Engineering

Online master's programme of 1,900 hours in soft robotics engineering. 12 modules covering soft robotics principles, materials, pneumatic and other actuators, fabrication, mechanical modelling, soft sensors, control, soft grippers, locomotion and medical applications under ISO 10993-1:2018, Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and ISO 37:2017, with an assigned technical tutor.

Duration1900 h
ModeOnline
LanguageEnglish
Start datesSet by the faculty
AwardSEIUM Institute diploma
Enrol now View syllabus Ask an advisor
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Run a real engineering trade-off from this programme. Move the sliders, watch the model react in real time and beat the challenge.

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Learning outcomes

What you will be able to do

01

Understand the principles of soft robotics and its bioinspiration.

02

Select and characterise hyperelastic materials.

03

Design soft pneumatic and electrical actuators.

04

Fabricate soft prototypes through moulding and 3D printing.

05

Model soft robots with finite elements and Cosserat theory.

06

Implement sensing and control in soft robots.

07

Evaluate soft applications in manipulation and medicine.

Profile

Who it's for

  • Soft robotics engineers.
  • Materials researchers working in robotics.
  • Adaptive gripper designers.
  • Medical device engineers.
  • Prototype fabrication specialists.
  • Mechanical simulation engineers.
  • Engineering or science graduates aiming to enter the food industry.
Standards & tools

What you'll work with

  • ISO 10993-1:2018 (biological evaluation of medical devices)
  • Regulation (EU) 2017/745 (EU Medical Device Regulation)
  • ISO 37:2017 (tensile properties of rubber)
  • ISO 7619-1:2010 (rubber hardness – durometer method)
  • ISO 13482:2014 (safety of personal care robots)
  • ISO/TS 15066:2016 (collaborative robot safety)
  • ISO 14971:2019 (risk management for medical devices)
  • SOFA Framework
  • Abaqus
  • COMSOL Multiphysics
  • Fusion 360
  • Elastica
Syllabus

12 modules · 1900 h

  1. 1.1. Bioinspiration from octopuses, trunks and worms
  2. 1.2. Differences from conventional rigid robotics
  3. 1.3. Infinite degrees of freedom and underactuation
  4. 1.4. Morphological intelligence and physical computation
  5. 1.5. Advantages for safe interaction with people
  6. 1.6. Classification of soft actuators
  7. 1.7. Scales: from microrobotics to large manipulators
  8. 1.8. Open challenges in control and fabrication
  9. 1.9. Research community and open platforms
  10. 1.10. Case study: analysis of a bioinspired robot
  1. 2.1. Silicone and polyurethane elastomers
  2. 2.2. Hyperelasticity: Neo-Hookean and Mooney-Rivlin models
  3. 2.3. Ogden model for large deformations
  4. 2.4. Hydrogels and responsive materials
  5. 2.5. Shape memory polymers
  6. 2.6. Dielectric elastomers and liquid crystals
  7. 2.7. Stretchable conductive materials
  8. 2.8. Fatigue and degradation of elastomers
  9. 2.9. Uniaxial tensile characterisation
  10. 2.10. Lab: tensile test of silicone
  1. 3.1. Multi-chamber PneuNet actuators
  2. 3.2. McKibben artificial muscles
  3. 3.3. Fibre-reinforced actuators
  4. 3.4. Vacuum and origami actuators
  5. 3.5. Soft hydraulic actuation
  6. 3.6. Valves and portable pressure sources
  7. 3.7. Modelling curvature versus pressure
  8. 3.8. Hysteresis and dynamic response
  9. 3.9. Variable-stiffness actuators by jamming
  10. 3.10. Practical: PneuNet actuator design
  1. 4.1. Dielectric elastomer actuators
  2. 4.2. HASEL electrohydraulic actuators
  3. 4.3. Shape memory alloys
  4. 4.4. Tendon and cable actuation
  5. 4.5. Magnetic actuation of microrobots
  6. 4.6. Liquid crystal thermal actuators
  7. 4.7. Chemical and combustion actuation
  8. 4.8. Energy density comparison
  9. 4.9. Selection by application
  10. 4.10. Case study: comparison of actuators for a gripper
  1. 5.1. Multi-step cast moulding
  2. 5.2. 3D-printed moulds
  3. 5.3. Direct 3D printing of elastomers
  4. 5.4. Layer-by-layer fabrication and lamination
  5. 5.5. Lost-wax moulding
  6. 5.6. Integration of fibres and reinforcements
  7. 5.7. Encapsulation of sensors and electronics
  8. 5.8. Quality control and degassing
  9. 5.9. Rapid prototyping and repeatability
  10. 5.10. Workshop: moulding a soft finger
  1. 6.1. Piecewise constant curvature model
  2. 6.2. Cosserat rod theory
  3. 6.3. Hyperelastic finite element models
  4. 6.4. Model order reduction
  5. 6.5. Modelling with SOFA Framework
  6. 6.6. Simulation with Abaqus and COMSOL
  7. 6.7. Data-driven models
  8. 6.8. Uncertainty in soft materials
  9. 6.9. Experimental model validation
  10. 6.10. Practical: actuator simulation in SOFA
  1. 7.1. Stretchable resistive sensors
  2. 7.2. Soft capacitive sensors
  3. 7.3. Eutectic liquid metal strain gauges
  4. 7.4. Optical fibres and soft waveguides
  5. 7.5. Internal pressure sensing
  6. 7.6. Model-based shape proprioception
  7. 7.7. Tactile electronic skins
  8. 7.8. Fusion of multiple soft sensors
  9. 7.9. Calibration and drift
  10. 7.10. Lab: capacitive curvature sensor
  1. 8.1. Open-loop pressure control
  2. 8.2. Model-based kinematic control
  3. 8.3. Dynamic control with reduced Cosserat models
  4. 8.4. Machine learning-based control
  5. 8.5. Neural networks for inverse models
  6. 8.6. Stiffness and shape control
  7. 8.7. Control with visual feedback
  8. 8.8. Embedded control on microcontrollers
  9. 8.9. Evaluating accuracy and repeatability
  10. 8.10. Practical: closed-loop curvature control
  1. 9.1. Pneumatic finger grippers
  2. 9.2. Granular jamming grippers
  3. 9.3. Soft electroadhesive grippers
  4. 9.4. Adaptive soft suction cups
  5. 9.5. Gripping food and fragile objects
  6. 9.6. Handling irregular shapes
  7. 9.7. Commercial soft grippers
  8. 9.8. Gripping force tests
  9. 9.9. Hygiene and cleaning in food applications
  10. 9.10. Case study: gripper for handling fruit
  1. 10.1. Undulatory and peristaltic locomotion
  2. 10.2. Soft climbing robots
  3. 10.3. Swimming and underwater robots
  4. 10.4. Growing robots by eversion
  5. 10.5. Untethered soft robots
  6. 10.6. On-board energy sources
  7. 10.7. Exploration in confined spaces
  8. 10.8. Pipe inspection
  9. 10.9. Bioinspired amphibious robots
  10. 10.10. Practical: peristaltic robot prototype
  1. 11.1. Soft rehabilitation gloves
  2. 11.2. Soft assistive exosuits
  3. 11.3. Robotic endoscopes and catheters
  4. 11.4. Minimally invasive surgery with continuum robots
  5. 11.5. Biocompatibility to ISO 10993
  6. 11.6. Medical devices and Regulation (EU) 2017/745
  7. 11.7. Safety in contact with patients
  8. 11.8. User trials and ethics
  9. 11.9. Technology transfer to market
  10. 11.10. Case study: design of a rehabilitation glove
  1. 12.1. Definition of the soft application
  2. 12.2. Selection of materials and actuation
  3. 12.3. CAD and mould design
  4. 12.4. Modelling and simulation of the prototype
  5. 12.5. Fabrication and sensor integration
  6. 12.6. Control and experimental testing
  7. 12.7. Performance and durability analysis
  8. 12.8. Conclusions and future work
  9. 12.9. Master's Thesis report
  10. 12.10. Master's Thesis: defence before a panel
Methodology, software & labs

How you'll learn

A 100% online programme on the SEIUM campus, with downloadable material, recorded classes and an assigned technical tutor. There are no fixed timetables: you progress at your own pace within each intake, so it fits alongside your job.

Each module combines theory, guided reading of the original standard and applied exercises. The working software is SOFA Framework, Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Fusion 360 and Elastica, in free, academic or evaluation versions. Exercises are based on real procedures: fabricating and testing soft actuators, hyperelastic simulation of prototypes, and characterising grippers for fragile objects. Assessment is continuous by module, plus the final Master's Thesis.

Standards covered: ISO 10993-1:2018, Regulation (EU) 2017/745, ISO 37:2017, ISO 7619-1:2010, ISO 13482:2014, ISO/TS 15066:2016, ISO 14971:2019.

Assigned technical tutor:every module ends with a deliverable that your tutor marks individually.
Standards-based learning:guided reading of ISO 10993-1:2018, Regulation (EU) 2017/745 and ISO 37:2017 applied to real cases, not as a theoretical annex.
Industry software:SOFA Framework, Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Fusion 360 and Elastica, in free, academic or evaluation versions.
Master's Thesis with defence:A complete soft robot prototype, from material and actuation selection and mould design to simulation, fabrication, control and testing, defended before a panel.
Flexible format:100% online, no fixed timetables, compatible with full-time work.
Capstone project

Build it end to end

Your final project follows the real engineering workflow, step by step, reviewed by your tutor.

Define the application
Define the soft application and select the materials and actuation principle.
Design and simulate
Design the CAD geometry and moulds and simulate the prototype.
Fabricate and sensorise
Fabricate the prototype and integrate soft sensors.
Control and test
Implement control and run experimental tests of performance and durability.
Master's Thesis
Present the soft robot prototype and its results in your Master's Thesis, defended before a panel.
Career opportunities

Where this takes you

Soft Robotics EngineerRobotics Materials ResearcherAdaptive Gripper DesignerMedical Device EngineerPrototype Fabrication SpecialistMechanical Simulation Engineer
Admissions & scholarships

Requirements

  • University degree in engineering, science or architecture, or equivalent proven professional experience.
  • Internet connection and a computer capable of running the programme software.
  • English sufficient to read technical standards.

Ready to start?

Send your application today. Our admissions team replies within 72 hours with your study plan and funding options.

Apply now Scholarships
FAQ

Frequently asked questions

The programme totals 1,900 hours over 12–14 months. You set your own pace within each intake, and your tutor helps you plan the workload around your job.

You work with SOFA Framework, Abaqus, COMSOL Multiphysics, Fusion 360 and Elastica, using free, academic or evaluation versions. Your tutor indicates the free alternative wherever one exists.

A SEIUM Institute diploma, awarded on passing the continuous assessment and the Master's Thesis. It is SEIUM's own qualification, not an official state degree; its recognition depends on the programme completed and the regulations of each country.

Yes. Modules passed in a course or postgraduate diploma in the same area are recognised in the higher programme. Ask about the recognition policy when you enrol.

A degree in engineering, science or architecture (or equivalent professional experience), a computer able to run the software and English sufficient to read technical standards.

Start dates are set by SEIUM's faculty for each intake. Our admissions team will confirm the next available date when you apply.

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