Nature regularly uses self-folding as an efficient approach to automated fabrication. In
engineered systems, however, the use of self-folding has been primarily restricted to the
assembly of small structures using exotic materials and/or complex infrastructures. In this
paper we present three approaches to the self-folding of structures using low-cost, rapid-
prototyped shape memory laminates. These structures require minimal deployment
infrastructure, and are activated by light, heat, or electricity. We compare the fabrication of a …