Cuddle Fish – A Soft Floating Robot for Safe Physical Interaction

[gus_massa]

How does it handle lack or inertia? To float it must be very lightweight, so every time the kids hit it it will go and colide with the walls.

PS: If you have a small kid, helium balloon are a super nice present. Wrap them in paper for an additional surprise. Remember to give it to the children in a closed room.

[Barathkanna]

Okay looks cool, but what can this robot actually do? I get the concept and the mechanics, but it’s not obvious what the practical capabilities are. Is it meant as a research platform for soft robotics, a demo of compliant movement, or does it have any specific real-world tasks in mind like inspection, underwater sensing, or manipulation? I’m curious what the intended application is beyond the technical novelty.

[kevinwang]

It says:

We see potential uses in companionship and affective interaction. The robot’s ability to elicit spontaneous touching and positive emotional responses suggests it could serve in therapeutic settings or as a social presence for people who spend time alone. The quiet operation and gentle movement make it suitable for environments where noise and sudden motions would be disruptive.

[Gracana]

Full article with more pictures and a video at the end: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3745900.3746080

It does look cute. I could imagine something like this being at children's museum or something.

[amenghra]

W̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶e̶ ̶p̶o̶t̶e̶n̶t̶i̶a̶l̶ ̶u̶s̶e̶s̶ ̶i̶n̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶p̶a̶n̶i̶o̶n̶s̶h̶i̶p̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶a̶f̶f̶e̶c̶t̶i̶v̶e̶ ̶i̶n̶t̶e̶r̶a̶c̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ We see potential uses in ads is where this is probably going...

[regularfry]

Reminds me of the Festo AirPenguin: https://youtu.be/jPGgl5VH5go?si=01RbG22bteL001QI

[pixelpoet]

Helium filled eh? I don't think this is a good idea.

[robryk]

Why? You just need to choose electronics that doesn't use micro mechanical designs that would be damaged by helium. (Or are you pointing at some other reason?)