A Model-Based Decoupling Strategy for Proprioception and Contact Sensing in an Architected Soft Manipulator

• URL: http://arxiv.org/abs/2607.15582v1
• Date: Fri, 17 Jul 2026 03:03:19 GMT
• Title: A Model-Based Decoupling Strategy for Proprioception and Contact Sensing in an Architected Soft Manipulator
• Abstract summary: We present a model-based strategy that decouples proprioceptive and contact signals from fluidic pressure sensors embedded in a soft architected segment.<n>On a single ITH segment, this approach achieves proprioceptive shape estimation with a relative bending error of 0.11 +/- 0.02 and a contact detection rate of 97% across 178 trials.
• Score: 49.225033144914214
• License: http://arxiv.org/licenses/nonexclusive-distrib/1.0/
• Abstract: Soft continuum robots require embedded sensing for proprioception and contact detection, yet integrating sensors into sparse, highly deformable architected structures remains challenging. We present a model-based strategy that decouples proprioceptive and contact signals from a common set of fluidic pressure sensors embedded in a soft architected segment. Each segment of the Innervated Trimmed Helicoid (ITH) contains six air channels routed in a localized zigzag pattern along the circumference. With only three principal kinematic degrees of freedom (axial compression, bending in x, bending in y), the six pressure readings form an overdetermined system. A piecewise constant curvature model maps pressures to shape, and Huber regression identifies outlier channels whose residuals indicate external contact. On a single ITH segment, this approach achieves proprioceptive shape estimation with a relative bending error of 0.11 +/- 0.02 and a contact detection rate of 97% across 178 trials. We integrate eight ITH segments into Air-Helix, a tendon-driven soft continuum manipulator, and present exploratory whole-arm demonstrations that include tactile teaching by demonstration, admittance-controlled force regulation, and tactile object reconstruction. The results suggest that localized fluidic innervation combined with model-based redundancy resolution is a practical path toward concurrent proprioception and contact sensing in architected soft robots.

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