Soft robot system and method

A method of operating an attraction feature of an amusement park, comprising:

• inflating a fluid actuator of the attraction feature to move the attraction feature along a motion profile to cause an interaction between the attraction feature and a target, the interaction comprising physical contact between the attraction feature and the target;
• collecting information relating to the interaction between the attraction feature and the target using one or more sensors as the interaction is occurring;
• analyzing, via a controller in communication with the one or more sensors, the collected information from the one or more sensors to determine an interaction parameter associated with the interaction;
• and
• adjusting inflation of the fluid actuator as the interaction is occurring to maintain the interaction parameter within a target range.

A pneumatic robotic system, comprising:

• an attraction feature comprising a plurality of fluid actuators configured to provide a shape and a motion profile of the attraction feature in response to controlled inflation;
• a fluid source fluidly coupled to the attraction feature and configured to provide pressurized fluid to the plurality of fluid actuators;
• one or more fluid control devices configured to control pressurized fluid flow from the fluid source to the plurality of fluid actuators;
• one or more sensors associated with the attraction feature and configured to monitor state properties of the plurality of fluid actuators;
• and
• a controller communicatively coupled to the one or more fluid control devices and to the one or more sensors, wherein the controller is configured to:
• analyze feedback from the one or more sensors relating to an interaction between the attraction feature and a target as the interaction is occurring to determine one or more interaction parameters associated with the interaction, wherein the interaction between the attraction feature and the target comprises physical contact between the attraction feature and the target;
• and
• adjust inflation of at least one of the plurality of fluid actuators to maintain the one or more interaction parameters within a predetermined range as the interaction is occurring.