Pneumatic actuators require a source of pressure for operation. This pressure is often provided by bulky and pricey peripherals (compressors, valves, gas tanks, etc.). While working on a different project, I realized my approach could address the mentioned challenge associated with pneumatic actuators. We reduced the cost of the device from >$1000 to less than $60. More importantly, our design can be used to make soft robots and other pneumatic-based actuators portable and untethered.
More information: https://robotics.sciencemag.org/content/5/41/eaaz4239
