Engineering a Hydraulic Robotic Arm

About this Taster Session

In this hands-on workshop, students aged 16–18 will step into the role of an engineer as they design, build and operate their very own hydraulic robotic arm. Using syringes, tubing and basic structural materials, participants will explore how fluid power creates precise, controllable motion—just like the tools surgeons and manufacturers use every day. Along the way, they’ll learn core principles of mechanical linkages, the engineering design process and real-world applications of hydraulics in medicine and industry. Learning Objectives By the end of the session, students will be able to: Explain the fundamentals of hydraulic systems, including fluid pressure and mechanical advantage. Design a multi-joint linkage to convert linear syringe movement into articulated arm motion. Apply the engineering design cycle—from brainstorming to testing and refining their robotic arm. Assemble and troubleshoot a working hydraulic circuit, identifying common failure points (e.g., air bubbles, leaks). Evaluate real-world applications, comparing their model to surgical robots, industrial manipulators and assistive devices. Reflect on teamwork and communication, presenting design choices and trade-offs to their peers.

Key topics covered

• Engineering
• Iterative design process

How do I book?

If you would like to book a session, please email SCL@hull.ac.uk