Elliot W. Hawkes will describe breakthroughs in material-like robotic collectives, showing how:

• Cohesive robotic units can transition between solid- and fluid-like states
• Interunit tangential forces are modulated to control shape and strength
• Collectives can form structures, self-heal, and support 500× the weight of a single robot

Hawkes’ research integrates design, mechanics, and novel materials, with applications in robotics, medicine, and biomechanics. His lab has spun out companies to commercialize medical and rehabilitation devices.