Modular Robotics

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7 papers in the last four weeks, up 133% on the four weeks before. 0.1% of all new papers.

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Latest papers 20

Oct 5, 2026cs.RO

Lego-Like Stiffness Configuration of Planar Compliant Modules for Task-Specific Flexible Interfaces

Compliant mechanisms provide compact and intrinsic structural compliance for regulating physical interactions between mechanisms and environments. However, different tasks demand distinct stiffness characteristics, often requiring task-specific optimization and redesign due to limited geometric design space and inherent coupling among multiple stiffness components. This paper presents a Lego-like stiffness configuration approach using stackable planar compliant modules. Three complementary module geometries are introduced, with their stiffness characteristics further regulated through beam width, plate thickness, and module orientation. A unified stiffness model is established for quantitative analysis of individual and composed modules. Further, a two-stage optimization method is presented to achieve desired stiffness profiles, combining a genetic algorithm for configuration and sequential quadratic programming for parameter refinement. Experimental verification shows deviations below 6.5% for simulated stiffness. A flexible wrist is further developed as a representative implementation, exhibiting distinct compliant and dynamic responses under different stiffness characteristics. An optimized modular composition realizes prescribed stiffness values and maintains compliant obstacle interaction during high-speed motion at 1 m/s, with a maximum tested angular compliance of approximately

15^\circ

. The proposed framework provides a systematic approach for constructing flexible interfaces with task-specific stiffness characteristics.

Siyue Yao, Xiaochi Xie, Shixuan Zhao +4

State Key Laboratory of Mechanical Systems and Vibration, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China · Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, USA · Shanghai Key Laboratory of Intelligent Robotics; META Robotics Institute, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China +1

Mechanism Design Modular Robotics Robotics

Oct 1, 2026cs.RO

ALFRED: Requirement-driven development of an open-source mobile manipulator for long-term plant monitoring

Tracking seasonal change in crops and forests requires observing the same plants repeatedly. Ground robots can do this at close range, and a manipulator gives their sensors more viewpoints. Yet the robots behind long-term field datasets are rarely released with their design files, and how a robot's own structure limits arm reach and occludes its sensors is seldom compared between builds. We present ALFRED, an open-source mobile manipulator built from commercially available components. It carries a six-degree-of-freedom arm, LiDAR, RGB-D cameras, RTK GNSS and an IMU on an Ackermann-steered base, all mounted on a reconfigurable aluminium strut frame, and runs containerised ROS software. It was developed through four builds against six requirements for repeated outdoor deployment: durability, modularity, repairability, sensing reach, endurance and reproducibility. Model-based analysis of the last three builds shows the usable share of the arm's reachable poses rising from 34.0% to 60.0% and then 66.1%, and ray casting shows that only the final build keeps the frame-mounted LiDAR's horizontal view clear both forwards and backwards. ALFRED completed a year of monthly forest surveys (528 traversals) without missing a scheduled collection. This was despite battery degradation, reconfiguration for another researcher's study, and the parallel development of ALFRED 2.0 for autonomous crop-row operation, with each switch between builds taking about six hours. The deployment also showed that mechanical modularity is only as dependable as the robot description that tracks it.

Ciarán Miceal Johnson, Christopher Quail, Garry Ellard +3

Modular Robotics Mobile Robotics Robotics Robotic Manipulation

Sep 29, 2026cs.RO

Recompositional Robotics: Cross-Domain, Open-set, and Lifelong Modularity Beyond Morphology

Research in modular robotics has produced capable approaches allowing a robot's morphology to change online, with recent efforts also developing approaches to decide which morphology to assume and automatically propagate that decision into the robot's motion planning and control. These approaches are powerful and increase adaptability in the field. However, an alternative objective is not to build robots whose structures can change, but robots whose fundamental capabilities can change, where capability is a joint function across several domains, including kino-dynamics, perception, compute, and high-level coordinating behaviors. A robot designed to be reconfigured across these domains has a greater capacity to alter its capability than one that can be reconfigured in a single domain. We refer to this cross-domain reconfigurability as integration span, and recognize a complementary measure of the resistance to reconfiguration, which we refer to as integration inertia. Current modular robots have reduced integration inertia in the structural domain while it remains high in the other domains that contribute to integration span. We assert that the systems that can provide the most utility through reconfiguration in practice are those maximizing span and minimizing inertia and call this general problem recompositional robotics: adaptation over a heterogeneous set of modules including hardware, software, compute, and behavior that abstracts each component by the interfaces it requires and provides such that they can be reasoned over holistically. We define the problem, ground it in two deployed systems and active research efforts, and pose open questions about the future of recompositional robotics.

Steven Swanbeck, Jonathan Salfity, Corrie Van Sice +2

Texas Robotics and the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA

Modular Robotics Robotics

Sep 29, 2026cs.RO

Executor-aware Candidate Selection via a Feasibility Certificate

Modular robotic systems often separate motion planning from a downstream executor that enforces state-dependent hard constraints. A candidate that is geometrically valid may therefore be incompatible with the executor's available command set. We present a certificate-based candidate-selection framework that constructs a command witness from the executor hard set at predicted rollout states and verifies it against the original constraints, without changing candidate generation, ranking, or the executor. Across 5,085 geometry-valid numerical evaluations on two robot models, 795 admitted no executor-feasible command. The certificate is sufficient but conservative: none of the 795 was certified, while 7.09% of reference-feasible cases remained uncertified. In controlled FR3 and fixed-base RB-Y1 simulations, certificate admission frequently changed candidate selection, and a post-hoc exact linear-programming (LP) admission baseline revealed platform-dependent conservatism. Relative to geometry-based selection, certificate admission was associated with lower planner-command coverage and higher nominal tracking error, without a consistent advantage in reached-state interaction reserve. A planner-generated MoveIt/OMPL study further evaluates the same admission rule on externally generated candidate pools.

Sooin Choi, Soonwoong Hwang, Wansoo Kim

Department of Robotics, Hanyang University, Seoul, Republic of Korea · Department of Robotics, Hanyang University ERICA, Ansan, Republic of Korea

Constrained Motion Planning Modular Robotics Motion Planning Robot Motion Planning

Sep 28, 2026cs.RO

Robot-Assisted Deployment and Maintenance of Inflatable Modules for Lunar Habitation: A Field Demonstration

Long-term human habitation and in-situ development on the Moon open a new era of space utilization. In this context, robots are a key technology for facilitating the construction of future human outposts. Toward the deployment and establishment of human habitation modules on the lunar surface, we propose a combined system consisting of inflatable modules and a modular, reconfigurable robotic system. This paper presents a report demonstrating various robot-assisted task executions using real hardware, namely the modular and reconfigurable robot MoonBot and the inflatable module HIDAS, to enhance the reliability of their deployment and maintenance. The demonstrated tasks include robotic inspection during inflation, module position alignment, final safety locking, and three-dimensional mapping for post-deployment maintenance. All demonstrations were conducted either in a laboratory environment or at a lunar analogue test site. Finally, lessons learned are discussed to provide essential insights for this robotic application to future lunar habitation.

Kentaro Uno, Shamistan Karimov, Ashutosh Mishra +5

Space Robotics Lab. (SRL) in Department of Aerospace Engineering, Graduate School of Engineering, Tohoku University, Sendai 980-8579, Japan · Department of Electrical Engineering, Graduate School of Science and Technology, Tokyo University of Science, Noda 278-8510, Japan

Robotic Construction Modular Robotics Robotic Inspection Space Robotics Robotics

Sep 24, 2026cs.RO

Fly, Drive, Reconfigure: A Modular Reconfigurable Aerial-Ground Platform for Field Operations

Heterogeneous robot teams distribute complementary capabilities across specialized agents, but their physical roles and capacities typically remain fixed throughout a mission. We present HARP, a Heterogeneous Aerial Robotic modules Platform in which independently deployable aerial robots physically reconfigure to compose their capabilities for field operations. HARP comprises sensor-equipped scouts, flydrive rover modules, and task-specific payload modules. Scouts map the environment and inform an energy-aware planner that jointly selects routes and air-ground mobility modes. Rover and payload modules fly independently across terrain that constrains ground travel, then autonomously assemble into a cooperative ground vehicle for energy-efficient payload transport. Motivated by environmental sampling in remote and difficult-to-traverse regions, we evaluate HARP through field experiments spanning sensing, planning, reconfiguration, airground mobility, payload transport, and task execution. We further conduct module-level deployment tests on the Greenland Ice Sheet toward future autonomous missions. HARP demonstrates how heterogeneous robot teams can adapt not only their actions, but also how their physical capabilities are composed during a mission.

Li-Yu Lo, Yanbaihui Liu, Chengchuan Shu +3

Duke University

Modular Robotics Multi-Robot Systems Robotics

Sep 20, 2026cs.RO

Marginal Calibration Does Not Compose: Hidden Dependence in Modular Robot Navigation

Robotic systems are typically composed of multiple independently developed modules that work together to perceive, predict, and act in the environment. Although each module may perform reliably in isolation, composing them does not necessarily preserve uncertainty calibration at the system level. In this work, we show that well-calibrated component interfaces do not necessarily produce calibrated downstream behavior after composition. Using a moving-obstacle prediction pipeline, we demonstrate that position and velocity estimators can each appear well calibrated individually, yet differences in how their error are correlated lead to substantially different estimates of future-state uncertainty. Consequently, assuming independence can make the system either overly confident or unnecessarily conservative, directly influencing downstream planning decisions and safety. Through simulations, we show that modeling the joint covariance restores downstream calibration and improves system performance, whereas dependence-robust uncertainty bounds enhance safety at the cost of increased conservatism. Our findings reveal a fundamental limitation of independently validating robotic modules and highlight the need for interfaces that communicate dependence information or support direct system-level calibration.

Rista Baral

University of Delaware

Modular Robotics Robot State Estimation Uncertainty Propagation Uncertainty Calibration

Sep 14, 2026cs.RO

Tendon-Driven Continuum Robot with Modular Stiffness and In-Situ Self Pose Estimation

Continuum robots enable smooth shape morphing and safe interaction in confined environments. However, most existing systems are task-specific and depend on external sensing infrastructure, limiting their adaptability and real-world deployment. This paper presents a self-contained modular continuum robotic platform that combines mechanical reconfigurability with onboard pose estimation. The robot is constructed from interchangeable continuum joints with analytically precomputed stiffness, allowing rapid assembly and direct programming of the robot shape. Proprioceptive sensing is achieved using magnetic sensors and a modular learning-based framework, where a single model is trained per joint and reused across configurations. The system is experimentally validated in real world, demonstrating self-sensing capabilities and adaptation without external tracking.

Guo Ning Sue, Zheng Cao, Junzhe Hu +5

Carnegie Mellon University

Modular Robotics Robotics Robot State Estimation Robotic Perception

Sep 3, 2026cs.RO

QLAUN: A Research-Oriented, Robust, Agile, Modular, and Affordable Torque-Controlled Quadruped Robot

QLAUN Bot (Quad-Legged Adaptive Unmanned Navigator Robot) is a torque-controlled quadruped robot that is research-oriented, cost-effective, and aimed at achieving simultaneous robustness and agility while being completely 3D-printed. It is a quadruped robot that is aimed at empowering robotics research at universities and research institutes in Lebanon and the MENA region. Using a novel electronics-free leg design strategy, we present a modular robot with interchangeable and easily replaceable legs. The 15 kg robot possesses 12 DoF (Degrees-of-Freedom) with three per leg, each paired with a completely 3D-printed Quasi-Direct Drive (QDD) actuator that consists of a brushless DC motor and a low-ratio gearbox transmission that is connected to a belt transmission system for significantly increasing the torque outputs at the joints. We present legs that have decoupled hip and knee actuators to improve the overall modularity of the robot. QLAUN is almost completely 3D-printed using polylactic acid (PLA) and assembled using off-the-shelf parts to create a robust, agile, and affordable robot for legged robot locomotion research. The legs possess joints with wide ranges of motion, including a continuous hip flexion-extension joint. A compliant foot, printed using TPU-95A is also implemented for alleviating hard impacts and handling terrain uncertainties. This extended abstract aims to introduce QLAUN, a novel platform for robotics research, emphasizing the design concepts and principles that underpin its development to the academic and research communities in the field of robotics.

Mohamad S. Moudallal, Noel J. Maalouf

Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon

Legged Robotics Modular Robotics Robotics Quadruped Locomotion

Sep 1, 2026cs.RO

One Print, Many Moves: Monolithic Origami-inspired Folding Actuator for Composable Soft Multi-DoF Systems

Conventional soft robot actuators excel in compliance, but their uncontrolled deformations compromise accuracy and hinder scaling to multi-degree-of-freedom (DoF) systems. We introduce a MONOlithic ORIGAMI-inspired soft folding actuator design (MONORIGAMI) that establishes a design strategy based on spatially programmed stiffness anisotropy to preserve material compliance along desired folding directions while selectively restricting deformation in unwanted directions. The actuator leverages stiffness tiers based on material thickness, patterned in an origami-inspired geometry with facets and creases, converting unconstrained soft deformation into accurate, repeatable, and composable folding motions without additional reinforcements. The design is fully 3D-printable through a single-material, single-print process that requires no assembly. Each actuator serves as a scalable motion primitive, and linking and orienting multiple actuators mechanically programs multi-DoF trajectories. Using the same fundamental module, we demonstrate three 3D-printed soft multi-DoF robotic systems spanning distinct application domains: (1) a compact 4-DoF wearable haptic device for high-fidelity cutaneous feedback in virtual reality (VR), (2) a 3-DoF joystick for kinesthetic feedback in teleoperation, and (3) a modular robotic gripper capable of underwater operation with geometry-encoded grasp trajectories. These systems demonstrate the module's capabilities for compact multi-axis integration, controlled physical interaction, and geometry-programmed operation across different environments. Together, these results show that MONORIGAMI provides a general, composable, accessible, reliable, and scalable platform for high-precision soft multi-DoF robotics, addressing long-standing limitations in both soft actuator design and fabrication.

Jaehyung Jang, Zhenish Zhakypov, Jasmin Elena Palmer +3

IRiS Lab, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Korea. · CHARM Lab, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.

Modular Robotics Robotics Soft Robotics

Aug 11, 2026cs.RO

Deployment Is Not Destiny: Robot Recomposition in the Field with Unseen Software, Hardware, and Compute Payloads

The tight coupling of subsystems in most robots, though a natural consequence of their complexity, leads to monolithic designs that are time-consuming and difficult to adapt after initial deployment. To address this challenge, we present a framework and supporting abstractions for recomposition during runtime that enable robots to quickly integrate previously unseen modular software, hardware, and compute payloads. Our approach allows non-expert users to quickly add new capabilities in the field through a true plug-and-play process. Crucially, new resources are not only immediately available to a host robot but are also shared with distributed peers, enabling compute-constrained systems to access powerful new remote capabilities. Our framework reduces reconfiguration time to a matter of minutes with no developer intervention, in stark contrast to the hours of expert effort often required for traditional manual integration. We demonstrate our method in two disaster response scenarios, including radioactive source localization at an operational nuclear reactor facility and a thermal-guided search for people in dark, difficult-to-reach spaces. These demonstrations show how in-field recomposition provides timely, flexible, and accessible adaptation to dynamic requirements, representing a critical step toward creating robots that can quickly evolve alongside the tasks, technologies, and environments they support.

Steven Swanbeck, Jonathan Salfity, Jeffery Gunawan +3

Texas Robotics and the Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX 78712, USA

Modular Robotics Robotics Search-and-Rescue Robotics

Aug 4, 2026cs.RO

Reconfigurable Structural Robotic Assembly: Interlocking 3D Aggregations with Self-Aligning Compound Nested Lattice Modules

Robotic construction systems often treat the material system and the robot as separate design problems, locating intelligence primarily in hardware, sensing, motion planning, and control. This project instead investigates how geometric intelligence can be encoded within architected material systems to simultaneously address requirements for robotic grasping, self-alignment, reversible connection, structural performance, and three-dimensional aggregation. We introduce a self-aligning compound nested lattice module composed of conjoined cuboctahedral-octahedral units. The cuboctahedral features of the modules provide defined surfaces for robotic grasping and alignment, while the octahedral features incorporate screw-releasable snap-fit connectors and corresponding receptors. Additionally, we present a nested arrangement that enables interlocking aggregation along the x, y, and z axes. We demonstrate the system through furniture and architectural scale structures assembled using both a robotic arm and mobile assembler. The resulting configurations include seating, spanning structures, surfaces, and vertical frames. Compression testing of the compound module produced a stiffness of 4,556 N/mm, a maximum load of 3,445 N, and a compressive modulus of 17.5 MPa. The modules can also be disassembled and reused across different configurations, supporting reconfigurable and circular construction.

Alexander Htet Kyaw, Miana Smith, Paul Richard +1

Massachusetts Instittue of Technology (MIT) · École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL)

Robotic Construction Modular Robotics Robotic Assembly

Aug 3, 2026cs.RO

Contact-Driven Localization in a Freeform Robotic Self-Assembled Structure

Accurate localization remains a key challenge in swarm robotics, particularly for self-reconfigurable systems that must identify relative positions to form diverse structures. Most existing approaches rely on external tracking infrastructure or high-cost sensors, which limit scalability and deployment in unstructured environments. In this paper, we propose a novel contact-driven localization method for modular robots that leverages only local communication through binary contact information (whether two robots are physically connected or not). To exploit these contact cues, we introduce a virtual-force framework in which robots iteratively refine their poses attracting toward dock-connected neighbors and repelling from non-connected ones. The method requires no external infrastructure and relies only on minimal onboard sensing. Simulations show effective localization during the assembly of towers and cantilevers, enabling accurate, scalable, free-form self-assembly.

Mohammadali Rashidioun, Michael Sosa, Petras Swissler

Institute of Technology · Industrial and Mechanical Engineering Department, New Jersey Institute of Technology

Modular Robotics Swarm Robotics Robotics Cooperative Localization Robotic Assembly Robot Localization

Jul 15, 2026cs.RO

Stress-Sharing: A Bio-Inspired Approach to Decentralized Fault Repair in Modular Spacecraft

Structural damage in modular spacecraft can disrupt mechanical and communication connectivity, reducing system capability. Existing approaches rely on redundancy or preplanned reconfiguration and do not enable autonomous repair under local information and physical constraints. We model the spacecraft as a lattice-constrained graph and introduce a fully decentralized, asynchronous stress-sharing repair policy inspired by biological wound healing: local distress signals guide surviving modules toward damaged regions to close fragmented gaps, after which each displaced module locally retraces its own motions to recover the pre-damage shape, using only local information and no absolute position sensing. We evaluate the policy in PyBullet rigid-body simulation across structures of up to 160 modules, three fault densities (10, 20, 30%), and random and localized damage. The policy consolidates the surviving modules into a single connected body: even in the most severe case tested, where 30% of modules fail at random, it gathers roughly 80% or more of the surviving modules into one connected component, and this fraction improves with assembly size, making the approach well suited as a swarm-scale repair policy for large modular spacecraft.

Sidhdharth D. Sikka, Yue Shen, Shaoshuai Mou

Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA · Manifold Research Group

Modular Robotics Robotics Multi-Robot Coordination Fault-Tolerant Control

Jul 8, 2026cs.RO

Programmable Synchronization Graphs for Adaptive and Fault-Tolerant Modular Miniature Robots

Modular miniature robots could provide scalable function in constrained environments, but coordinating many imperfect modules remains difficult when computation, communication and reliability are limited. A central robotics challenge is to coordinate many actuator-sensor modules without assigning a privileged leader, prescribing a fixed gait template, or relying on dense communication. Here we introduce a programmable synchronization-graph framework for modular miniature robots in which each actuator-sensor pair is represented as a network node and locomotor coordination is encoded through graph coupling. Fixed intra-subgraph links synchronize heterogeneous actuator groups, whereas a small number of signed inter-subgraph links program phase relationships between groups. In physical robot collectives with up to nine modules, graph coupling drives the emergence of synchronization, signed links tune the phase difference from in-phase to out-of-phase motion, and floor experiments produce gallop-like and trot-like contact patterns in a five-module robot assembly. Replacing dense all-to-all coupling with sparse d-regular topologies preserves synchronization while reducing the coupling burden. The same graph representation also captures fault tolerance: increasing graph degree increases the number of module deactivations tolerated before desynchronization. Finally, an upper-confidence-bound edge-selection algorithm learns inter-subgraph links that drive the system toward target phase states. In a separate deactivation benchmark, the graph-based controller avoids the leader-specific failure mode observed in centralized leader-follower control and reduces worst-case phase error by about threefold. These results establish programmable network topology as a compact control layer for gait phase programming, online adaptation and robustness to unit loss in modular miniature robots.

Okan Kulekcioglu, Arqam Bin Ahmad, Ines Garcia +3

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Bilkent University; Ankara, Türkiye. · International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory (INL); Braga, Portugal.

Dynamical Systems Modular Robotics Robotics Multi-Robot Coordination Fault-Tolerant Control Robot Locomotion

Jun 21, 2026cs.RO

PenduMorph: Development and Motion Analysis of Pendulum-Actuated Rolling Reconfigurable Spherical Robot with Magnetic-Coupling

This paper presents "PenduMorph", a wireless reconfigurable rolling spherical robot designed as a modular platform for enclosed locomotion and inter-module interaction in challenging environments. The proposed robot extends our previous pendulum-actuated rolling disk concept to a fully enclosed spherical architecture integrating a 2-DoF internal pendulum, onboard control, battery-powered operation, and magnetic docking. The design aims to combine independent rolling mobility with protected hardware and reliable reconfigurability. We first present the robot design and an analytical study of the magnetic coupling mechanism to evaluate retention and interaction between coupled modules. We then experimentally investigate key motion behaviors at both the single-module and dual-module levels, including independent rolling, magnetic coupling, and coordinated coupled motion. The results show that the proposed platform enables stable wireless operation and a set of distinctive reconfigurable rolling behaviors, providing a useful foundation for future modular spherical robots operating in contact-rich and demanding environments.

Aung Myat, Peter Noyce, May Forgan +2

Geometric Mechanics and Mechatronics in Robotics (gm2R) Lab, the School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 3AA, United Kingdom

Modular Robotics Robotics Robot Locomotion

Jun 7, 2026cs.RO

Tessellated Biomes: Distributed Robotic Assemblies for Architectural Resilience

This paper presents Tessellated Biomes, a cyber-physical framework for the adaptive robotic construction and reconfiguration of modular multi-material assemblies. It challenges the linear lifecycle of standard construction by fusing (1) local microfactory fabrication, (2) discrete multi-material optimization, and (3) distributed robotic assembly into a unified circular process of spatial adaptation. The research details methods for the digital fabrication of self-aligning modular primitives in multiple materials (PLA, timber, and concrete) produced in local microfactories; the aggregation and optimization of these primitives into compression-based discrete structures; and the deployment of custom quadrupedal robots that collaboratively relocate material into realized physical aggregations. The framework is validated through the fabrication, optimization, and robotic assembly of discrete structures. Together, these results position Tessellated Biomes as a model for resilient, reconfigurable architecture.

Sergio Mutis, Eric Hughes, Gert Duvenhage

MIT · UCL

Cyber-Physical Systems Robotic Construction Modular Robotics Robotics Robotic Assembly

May 21, 2026cs.RO

Quantifying Full-Body Immersion

Humanity is at the forefront of yet another digital revolution, where the lines between real and virtual worlds are dissolving, reshaping how we perceive and interact with our surroundings. In this context, we introduce a transformative paradigm for immersive virtual experiences centered around whole-body kinetic interactions. Our approach redefines immersion through three distinct levels: audio-visual immersion, capturing sensory realism; physical immersion, delivering haptic feedback; and full-body immersion (FBI), where dynamic bodily interaction integrates seamlessly with virtual environments. At the core of this innovation lies a scalable, distributable platform based on modular robotic surface units inspired by the adaptive designs of nature. These units enable the rendering of immersive environments at any scale, from intimate personal experiences to expansive multi-user settings, dynamically adapting to interactions in real-time. The modular system distributes force, shape, and motion feedback throughout entire spaces, replicating the physical characteristics of the environment and enabling new depth of engagement through FBI. By combining scalability, adaptability, and dynamic physical engagement, this framework bridges the gap between real and virtual worlds. It offers an unprecedented level of immersion where users can engage their entire bodies in symbiotic interactions with the virtual space. This work not only advances immersive technology but also redefines how humans and virtual environments coexist, setting a foundation for a new era of human-environment synthesis.

Alihan Bakir, Ekrem Yüksel, Fabio Zuliani +3

Reconfigurable Robotics Lab, EPFL, MED 1 2313 Building MED Station 9, Lausanne, 1015, Vaud, Switzerland.

Modular Robotics Virtual Reality Robotics

May 19, 2026cs.RO

Self-assembling Modular Aerial Robot for Versatile Aerial Tasks

Multirotor aerial robots excel at maneuvering in three-dimensional space, and recent advances enable nimble navigation in cluttered and confined environments, especially for small airframes. By contrast, platforms built for high-altitude work tend to be larger to deliver high thrust for stable physical interaction with the environment. However, these conflicting design requirements create a long-standing trade-off between nimble navigation and robust aerial manipulation. Here, we present LEGION units, which are reconfigurable modular aerial robots capable of in-flight self-assembly for cooperative manipulation, drawing inspiration from the self-organized collectives formed by ants. Each unit retains nimble maneuverability while joint-equipped docking interfaces at both ends enable end-to-end self-assembly into a flying manipulator. We show that multiple units autonomously dock in flight; once latched, they maintain a zero-clearance interlock by controlling the contact force and torque, enabling reliable aggregation and articulated motion even outdoors. We further show that self-reconfigurability enables morphological switching between nimble individual flight and collective articulated manipulation, while realizing core in-flight manipulation primitives including pushing, pulling, rotating, grasping, and carrying. LEGION's self-organization enables aerial robots, especially in swarms, to shift from passive observers to active participants in their environment, broadening the scope of aerial physical interaction.

Junichiro Sugihara, Masaki Kitagawa, Jinjie Li +4

Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Tokyo,Tokyo, Japan. · Department of Mechano Informatics, The University of Tokyo,Tokyo, Japan.

Aerial Robotics Modular Robotics Robotics Multi-Robot Coordination Aerial Manipulation

May 6, 2026cs.RO

3D Printing of Passively Actuated Self-Folding Robots with Integrated Functional Modules

We introduce an elastic-driven self-folding approach that fabricates robots directly from flat 3D-printed conductive PLA nets. Elastic bands routed through printed hooks store energy that folds the sheet into programmed 3D geometries, while the flat state allows accurate placement of electronics and magnets before deployment. The same substrate doubles as electrodes for capacitive touch and supports a reusable platform I/O palette with Hall sensors and eccentric rotating mass (ERM) motors for docking detection and vibration actuation. We also derive a closed-form folding model that balances hinge stiffness with elastic band moment to predict equilibrium fold angles; experiments validate the model and yield a design map linking hinge thickness, band size, and hook spacing to target angles. Using this workflow we realize multiple polyhedral modules and demonstrate three applications: a cube that highlights the potential of self-folding for scalable modular robot collectives, a deployable gripper, and a tendon-driven finger. The method is low cost, stimulus-free, and integrates actuation and sensing.

Gaolin Ge, Qifeng Yang, Haoran Lu +3

Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. · Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA. · Computer Science and Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA. +1

Modular Robotics Robotics Soft Robotics