Dr. Marina AlcoverAcademic director focused on measurable results and operational excellence in maritime education. Integrates IMO/STCW regulations and ISO 21001/9001 f
Masters · 1500 h · 11 modules
Master's in Soft Robotics Inspired by Marine Organisms
The Master's in Soft Robotics Inspired by Marine Organisms Prepares you to design soft and bioinspired robots that mimic the way fish, octopuses, jellyfish and rays move, grip and sense. You will study the biomechanics of marine o
Duration1500 h
FormatOnline
Starts21 December
Places20 / 20
Prior knowledge
Prior Knowledge Assessment
These are the skills this programme builds. Tick the ones you already have and we will tell you which part of the syllabus is really for you.
Your profile
Tick what you already know to see your result.
Programme overview
What is the Master’s in Soft Robotics Inspired by Marine Organisms?
The Master's in Soft Robotics Inspired by Marine Organisms
Prepares you to design soft and bioinspired robots that mimic the way fish, octopuses, jellyfish and rays move, grip and sense. You will study the biomechanics of marine organisms, soft materials and actuators, additive manufacturing and moulding, the modelling and control of deformable structures and flexible sensors, so that you can apply this emerging field to delicate manipulation, exploration and ocean observation in demanding underwater environments.
Key advantages
- Biology meets engineering: From observing the organism to a working prototype.
- An emerging field: One of the most active lines of robotics research today.
- Accessible fabrication: Silicone moulding and 3D printing applied to soft robots.
- Simulation and control: Modelling deformable structures and control strategies.
- Your own project: Design of a soft robot inspired by a marine organism.
Programme type
Master's Degree
Study mode
Online
Duration
1,500 hours
Modules
11
Programme highlights
- Learn from the ocean: Analyse the locomotion and grasping of marine organisms.
- Design with soft materials: Work with elastomers, hydrogels and composites.
- Build actuators: Develop pneumatic, hydraulic and cable-driven actuators.
- Control the deformable: Apply modelling and control to soft robots.
- Boost your career: Open doors to robotics labs, technology centres and marine technology companies.
- Train to build robots that move through the sea with the efficiency of nature.
Curriculum
Programme Structure
The programme is structured in 11 modules, listed below in order of study.
01
Fundamentals of Soft Robotics
- What soft robotics is
- Rigid versus soft robots
- Degrees of freedom and deformation
- Morphological intelligence
- History and state of the field
- Soft robotics in the marine environment
- Advantages and limitations
- Fields of application
- Research community and open source
- Current research challenges
02
Biomechanics of Marine Organisms
- Fish locomotion
- Jet propulsion in cephalopods and jellyfish
- Ray swimming and flapping
- Octopus arms and manipulation
- Suckers and adhesion
- Hydrostatic skeletons
- Lateral line sensory systems
- Camouflage and shape change
- Scaling and dimensionless numbers
- Observation and measurement methods
03
Bioinspired Hydrodynamics
- Fluid mechanics fundamentals
- Low and high Reynolds number flows
- Thrust generation by undulation
- Vortices and wakes
- Swimming efficiency
- Manoeuvrability and stability
- Flexible surfaces and fins
- Flume testing
- Fluid simulation
- Fluid-structure interaction
04
Soft and Functional Materials
- Silicone elastomers
- Hydrogels
- Electroactive polymers
- Shape memory materials
- Flexible composites
- Self-healing materials
- Mechanical characterisation
- Durability in seawater
- Biocompatibility and biodegradability
- Materials selection
05
Soft Actuators
- Pneumatic actuators
- Hydraulic actuators
- Cable-driven actuators
- Artificial muscles
- Dielectric actuators
- Thermal actuators
- Variable stiffness
- Designing chamber networks
- Performance and efficiency
- Comparing technologies
06
Flexible Sensors and Perception
- Strain sensors
- Touch-sensitive skins
- Pressure and flow sensors
- Lateral line-inspired sensors
- Proprioception in soft robots
- Embedding sensors in materials
- Vision in bioinspired robots
- Signal processing
- Machine learning for perception
- Experimental validation
07
Design and Fabrication
- Bioinspired design methodology
- Computer-aided design
- Silicone moulding and casting
- D printing of soft materials
- Multi-material fabrication
- Sealing and waterproofing
- Integrating electronics
- Rapid prototyping
- Laboratory testing
- Documenting open designs
08
Modelling and Simulation
- Continuum mechanics models
- The finite element method
- Rod and Cosserat models
- Reduced-order models
- Simulating soft robots
- Coupled fluid simulation
- Parameter identification
- Validation against tests
- Digital twins of prototypes
- Open-source tools
09
Control of Soft Robots
- Challenges of controlling deformable systems
- Open-loop control
- Feedback control
- Model-based control
- Reinforcement learning
- Central pattern generators
- Swimming control
- Manipulation control
- Embedded control
- Performance evaluation
10
Marine Applications and Technology Transfer
- Delicate handling of biological samples
- Soft grippers for underwater vehicles
- Swimming robots for observation
- Deep-sea exploration
- Infrastructure inspection
- Interaction with marine wildlife
- Technology readiness of solutions
- Intellectual property and patents
- Ethics and animal welfare
- Transfer and entrepreneurship
11
Master's Final Project: Bioinspired Soft Robot
- Choosing the reference organism
- Biomechanical analysis
- Defining requirements
- Selecting materials and actuators
- Designing the prototype
- Modelling and simulation
- Fabrication and test plan
- Evaluating results
- Writing the dissertation
- Defence before a panel
Workload
Study Time and Workload
1500 hours of study, online and at your own pace. Move the slider to the hours a week you can really put in.
Hours a week8
Weeks to finish—
You finish around—
Who it is for
Mechanical, electrical, electronic or materials engineers: who want to specialise in soft robotics Biology, physics or marine science graduates: interested in applied biomimetics Industrial designers: who want to work with bioinspired materials and forms Marine technology professionals: looking for new manipulation solutions Researchers: who want to bring soft robotics into their projects
Faculty
Academic direction and faculty
The teaching team at Navalis: working professionals who deliver and oversee the institute's programmes.
Eng. Diego Cifuentes
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)
Dr. Pau Ferrer
Dr. Nuria Llobregat
Eng. Javier Bañuls
Eng. Sofía Marquina
Eng. Tomás Riera
Verified reviews
Student Reviews
Reviews collected and verified by Opynio, not written by us.
Outcomes
Learning Outcomes
- 01Analyse marine biomechanics
- 02Select soft materials
- 03Design soft actuators
- 04Fabricate prototypes
- 05Model and control soft robots
- 06Assess real applications
Careers
Career Opportunities
01Soft robotics engineer: Designing actuators and deformable robots.
02Marine technology R&D engineer: New manipulation and exploration solutions.
03Bioinspired design specialist: Translating biological solutions into engineering.
04Advanced prototyping technician: Fabrication with soft materials.
05Biomimetics researcher: Projects at universities and technology centres.
06Innovation consultant: Technology assessment and transfer.
Questions
Entry Requirements
No. Work is based on design, simulation and optional simple fabrication with accessible materials.
No. The fundamentals of marine organism biomechanics are explained.
Soft grippers are already used in underwater exploration; most bioinspired swimming robots are still at the research stage.
Yes. You work with open-source simulation and control tools.
The design, modelling and test plan of a soft robot inspired by a marine organism.
100% online, with a virtual campus available 24/7, live sessions that are recorded, and tutorials with the teaching staff.
The programme involves 1500 hours of study. You can work at your own pace within the timetable we give you when you enrol.
Each programme has its own start date, shown on this page and confirmed by our admissions team when you enquire.
On completing the programme you receive the Master's in Soft Robotics Inspired by Marine Organisms qualification awarded by Navalis Magna Institute.
Online admissions
Admissions Process
No waiting for a phone call. If your documents are complete, you can pay in the same session.
Entry requirements
Academic/professional profile: A degree in engineering (mechanical, electrical, electronic, materials, biomedical or similar), physics, biology, marine science, industrial design or a related field; or proven professional experience in robotics or manufacturing. Language: A good working level of English to follow classes and materials. Technical requirements: A computer with a stable internet connection, an up-to-date browser and a webcam for live sessions and project presentations. Admissions process: Online application, profile review and a short interview with the academic team. We co
Questions?
Frequently Asked Questions
Leave your details and admissions will write back. If you already know this is the one, go straight to the application and pay in the same session.