Faculty/School

Faculty of Engineering

School of Electrical Engineering and Robotics

Topic status

We're looking for students to study this topic.

Research centre

Centre for Robotics

Primary Supervisor

Dr Krishna Manaswi Digumarti
Position
Lecturer
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Engineering

Overview

At the QUT centre for robotics, we develop new types of tactile sensors for robots, grippers and medical applications. The most common way of using tactile sensors is to stick them on to a hard surface. Recent studies in the lab have shown that this may not be the best way to make use of sensors, and that to make them useful in robot hands, the stiffness of the surface on which the sensor is built, must be carefully tuned. In this project, you will take inspiration from the design of human fingers to design sensors whose performance can be tuned even after they have been fabricated.

Research engagement

Literature review, fabrication of sensors, setting up test protocols, evaluating resutls.

Research activities

The student will review the current work on soft tactile sensors. They will get a chance to fabricate new designs. At the centre for robotics, they will work with an automated testing platform to characterise the new sensors and report on the new results. Dr. Krishna Digumarti and PhD students will support the candidate in their work.

Research skills

Sensor fabrication skills, familiarity with soft robotics technologies, electronics, mechatrnoic design, silicone devices.

Outcomes

A set of 5 different sensor types. Data on their characterisation. A report on their performance. Stretch goal - a paper suitable for presentation in a venue of repute.

Skills and experience

Enthusiasm to learn something new. Interest in exploring a combination of engineering fields - material, mechanics, electronics, programming, robotics.

Start date

2 November, 2026

End date

19 February, 2027

Location

Gardens point - S Block - QUT Centre for robotics

Additional information

You will have access to rapid pabrication facilities including 3D printing, silicone moulding, data acquisition and automated bench top testing equipment. You will also receive support from PhD students.

Keywords

Contact

Krishna Digumarti

7 3138 3606

krishnamanaswi.digumarti@qut.edu.au