Mind in Vitro: an NSF Expedition In Computing

Folding Intelligent Machines: Exploiting Geometry and Mechanics of Origami to Build Intelligence in the Mechanical Domain

Abstract:  Over the past four centuries, origami—the ancient art of paper folding—has evolved from a simple recreational craft into a powerful engineering framework for creating functional materials and robotic systems. This talk will highlight our recent efforts to build origami-inspired robots that can crawl and manipulate like animals, or grow and adapt like trees. In particular, we will explore how the mechanics of origami can be harnessed to embed intelligent behaviors directly into the robot’s physical body. Examples include using multi-ability to sequence earthworm-like peristaltic locomotion without digital controllers, leveraging physical wobbling dynamics to classify objects without cameras, and exploiting collective folding behaviors to grasp irregularly shaped objects. These examples illustrate how geometry and mechanics can open new avenues for computation and robotic control.

Bio:  Dr. Suyi Li is an Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech. Before joining Virginia Tech, he served on the faculty at Clemson University from 2016 to 2022, where he established a research program at the intersection of origami engineering, soft robotics, mechanical metamaterials, and physical intelligence. Dr. Li’s contributions have been recognized through several honors, including the NSF CAREER Award, the ASME Gary Anderson Early Achievement Award, and the ASME C.D. Mote Jr. Early Career Award. He also serves as an Associate Editor for Scientific Reports, the ASME Journal of Vibration and Acoustics, and the Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures.