Recent Publications

S. Dutta, J. Conzola, V. Vikas, and S. K. Patiballa, “Development and Validation of Computational Modeling Framework for Tendon-Based Soft Robotics” in ASME Journal of Mechanisms Robotics (JMR), Nov 2025. [Article Link]

L. Ervin, H. Bezawada and V. Vikas “Improving Grip Stability Using Passive Compliant Microspine Arrays for Soft Robots in Unstructured Terrain” in IEEE/RAS International Conference on Robotics & Automation (ICRA) 2025. [Article Link, arxiv]

C. Freeman, A. N. Mahendran and V. Vikas, “Environment-Centric Learning Approach for Gait Synthesis in Terrestrial Soft Robots,” in IEEE Transactions on Robotics (TRO), Mar 2025. [Article Link, arxiv, Youtube Video]

L. Ervin and V. Vikas, “Geometric Static Modeling Framework for Piecewise-Continuous Curved-Link Multi Point-of-Contact Tensegrity Robots,” in IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (RA-L)  Oct 2024. [Article Link, arxiv, Youtube Video]

A. N. Mahendran, C. Freeman, A. Chang, M. McDougall, P. Vela and V. Vikas . “Multi-gait Locomotion Planning and Tracking for Tendon-actuated Terrestrial Soft Robot (TerreSoRo).”  2023 IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS 2023). [Article Link, arxiv, Youtube Video]

C. Woods, and V. Vikas . “Design and Modeling Framework for DexTeR: Dexterous Continuum Tensegrity Manipulator.” ASME. J. Mechanisms Robotics. June 2023; 15(3): 031006.  [Article Link, Youtube Video].

C. Woods and V. Vikas “Joint angle estimation using accelerometer arrays and model-based filtering”, IEEE Sensors Journal, 2022 [Article Link, Youtube Video].

H. Bezawada, C. Woods and V. Vikas, “Shape reconstruction of soft manipulators using vision and IMU feedback'”, IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (RA-L)​ [Article Link, YouTube Video].

News

Aug 2025. Congratulations to Justin for presenting about his research on “Design and Fabrication of a Bi-actuated Flexible Skeletal Pectoral Fin with Tensegrity Joints” at the 2025 ASME International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference (IDETC).

July 2025. Congratulations to Shammo and Justin for successful ARL-SMART Lab collaboration research paper “Development and Validation of Computational Modeling Framework for Tendon-based Soft Robotics”, being accepted at ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics (JMR).

May 2025. Congratulations to Lauren and Harish for getting the Best Paper Award for her paper “Improving Grip Stability Using Passive Compliant Microspine Arrays for Soft Robots in Unstructured Terrain” at the Workshop on Soft Robotic Systems for Space Applications at ICRA 2025!

Mar 2025. Congratulations to Caitlin and Arun for getting their paper “Environment-Centric Learning Approach for Gait Synthesis in Terrestrial Soft Robots” accepted to IEEE Transactions on Robotics (TRO)! [Youtube Video]

Dec, 2024. Agile Robotics Lab featured in the College of Engineering, University of Alabama webpage! Link, Archive Link

Nov, 2024. We had the pleasure of hosting Prof. Pierre Larochelle at the Agile Robotics Lab. He gave an insightful seminar as part of the Mechanical Engineering Seminar Series!

Nov, 2024. We had the pleasure of hosting Prof. Gregory Chirikjian at the Agile Robotics Lab. He gave an insightful seminar as part of the College of Engineering Eminent Scholars and Leaders Seminar Series!

Nov, 2024.  Agile Robotics Lab featured in UA News: “Future of Lifting? Robotics Lab Exosuit Boosts the Spine“

Oct, 2024. Congratulations to Lauren for getting “Geometric Static Modeling Framework for Piecewise-Continuous Curved-Link Multi Point-of-Contact Tensegrity Robots” published at IEEE Robotics and Automation Letters (RA-L)!

Oct, 2024. Our lab featured in the Capstone Engineer: “Where Biology Meets Technology: The Agile Robotics Lab is breaking ground in nature-inspired robotics“!