LOOPS

Abstract

LOOPS is a mobile and shape-changing architectural system that achieves multiple states through robotically controlled elastic material deformations. LOOPS is part of a wider research agenda on elastic robotic structures (ERS). ERS are lightweight, adaptive and can perform multiple behaviors with material and actuation efficiency, leveraging the capability of elastic materials to undertake large deformations (Lienhard 2014). This approach provides an alternative to conventional rigid body kinetic systems that rely on multiple parts and connections (Schleicher 2016). Due to the challenges of controlling large deformations of continuously operating systems, elastic kinetics at architectural scale remain underexplored (Soana et al 2020). Recent ERS research has sought to address this by proposing approaches that combine lightweight structure design methods used in architecture and engineering with the integration of robotic solutions. LOOPS is the first modular ERS that was conceived to operate at large scale and that can provide a wide range of design and behavior options. It comprises an aggregation of robotically actuated bending active tensile hybrid (BATH) units. Novel approaches had to be developed in response to the challenge of designing and controlling global deformations of an interacting network of elastically deformable modules. The research focused on the development of design, fabrication, and control methods, demonstrated through a series of architectural systems, and of fully operating robotic prototypes. The work is relevant beyond its technical contribution. It proposes a new vision of the design potential of ERS as a building system; and, more broadly, a new vision of movable, intelligent structures.