GRADIENT-BASED OPTIMIZATION FOR ROBOT DESIGN

A computer-implemented method for designing a 3D robot body model representing a robot body formed in one or more materials. The method comprises obtaining an objective function based on predetermined parameters quantifying a motion metric of the robot. The predetermined parameters include a plurality of voxels forming a gridding of a 3D space, one or more parameters related to the one or more materials, and an actuation function which represents an actuation signal. The design variables include a distribution of density values over the plurality of voxels, and a distribution of actuation coefficients over the plurality voxels. The method further comprises exploring the design variables so as to perform a gradient-based optimization of the objective function, thereby obtaining an optimal continuous value of the design variables, and determining a 3D robot body model based on the optimal continuous value of the design variables.