SOFTCARE/SOFTENABLE: Towards Soft Fixture-Based Manipulation Primitives Enabling Safe Robotic Manipulation in Hazardous Healthcare and Food Handling Applications

The SoftEnable project proposes a new framework for manipulation actions involving deformable delicate objects based on the notion of soft fixture-enabled manipulation primitives. While fixtures by means of robotic grasps or specifically designed workpiece fixtures are routinely applied in industrial robotics applications involving rigid objects such as metal parts, there is a need to generalise these robotic methods to materials and situations that require the robust manipulation of soft or fragile items. The project considers two primary use case applications: to aid workers in healthcare applications with procedures involving personal protective equipment and to provide assistance by means of collaborative robotics in the food processing industry.