Adaptable Tile‐Based Pneumatic Origami through Structurally Coupled Localized Actuation

Actuated origami systems offer adaptable properties including morphing shape, selective multistability, and tunable stiffness. Typically, these systems activate all creases uniformly or control each structural degree of freedom independently, limiting shape mode variety and the ability to independently tune some properties while keeping others constant. This article explores structurally coupled localized actuation using redundant actuators at each crease, leveraging origami's inherent structural coupling to achieve adaptable properties in versatile shape modes with independent tunability. A tile‐based pneumatic system implements origami structures with rigid tile facets and flexible fabric creases. Independently activated inflation bladders along each crease provide pressure‐scalable local torques and stiffness. Using a Miura pattern, morphing shape is achieved in three distinct shape modes with selective monostability or multistability based on activated creases and applied pressures. The local actuator is analytically modeled and integrated into a physics network structural model to simulate the adaptable properties numerically, validated experimentally. Supported by these models, independently tuning tiffness at constant shape, and selective multistability while maintaining both shape and stiffness are achieved through structurally coupled actuation of multiple creases. This structurally coupled localized actuation approach opens new opportunities for adaptable properties with expansive shape modes and independent tunability within an integrated origami system.