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RESHAPE

PROJECT

RESHAPE

Reconfigurable Soft and High-tech Surfaces for Delicate Leather Handling
PROJECT LEAD

Luca Aiello

CONCEPT

The RESHAPE project aims to develop an innovative “morphing” technology to create smart actuated surfaces. By integrating advanced materials, flexible sensors, and distributed actuation, the project envisions a new generation of robotic systems for delicate and precise manipulation.

This technology is particularly suited for automating processes typical of the Made in Italy sectors that involve the careful handling of fabrics and leather, such as textile and fashion manufacturing.

CONTEXT

Manipulating thin and deformable objects like textiles and leather is challenging to automate due to the fragility of the materials and their susceptibility to deformation under external forces.

Current gripping systems are often rigid, grasping the material at multiple points and risking localized damage or unwanted creases during transport.

RESHAPE addresses this issue by developing a new morphing robotic technology, designed for safe and adaptive handling of delicate materials, thus bridging two key sectors of Made in Italy: automation and textiles.

Beneficiari

OBJECTIVES AND EXPECTED RESULTS

Main objectives:

  • Develop a new augmented (smart and actuated) material technology
  • Integrate this technology into a soft gripper system as a proof of concept (PoC)
  • Test the PoC in a relevant use case for Made in Italy: leather handling

Expected results:

  • Design and development of a new “morphing” technology that combines innovative and sustainable materials, miniaturized under-actuated mechanisms, and integrated yet detachable electronics and sensors
  • Testing and validation of the technology in the leather industry
  • Successful collaboration among RESHAPE companies and between the RESHAPE consortium and the MICS Extended Partnership

RESHAPE will deliver:

  • A project demonstrator
  • A final workshop to showcase results to stakeholders (leather and automation companies)
  • A technology patent (prior art search planned)
  • At least two scientific publications in international journals (one on the technology and one on the testing in leather manipulation)

KEY FIGURES

30

RESEARCHERS INVOLVED

19063

RESEARCH HOURS

3

NEW HIRES EXPECTED

12

PROJECT DURATION

5

NUMBER OF WORK PACKAGES (WPS)

1-2

STARTING TRL

4-5

FINAL TRL

Contact us

Project n.: PE_00000004
MADE IN ITALY CIRCOLARE E SOSTENIBILE
Tax Code. 97931690156

Contact

Registered headquarters Piazza Leonardo da Vinci, 32, 20133 Milano
Operative headquarters Via Copernico, 38, 20125 Milano | Edificio C – Piano 1
Southern office Corso Nicolangelo Protopisani, 70, 80146 Napoli | Laboratorio Ricreami CESMA – Università degli Studi di Napoli Federico II