To be safely and reliably deployed in outer space, underwater and in other extreme environments, robots need to be able to withstand harsh conditions without breaking. In addition, they should be able ...

When we think of assistive prostheses or braces, we often think of hard and rigid contraptions. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that prosthetic limbs were still being made out of wood. Even devices ...

Soft actuation technology underpins high compliance, integration, and multifunctionality in soft robots, and has received growing attention in recent years. Among various soft actuators, twisted ...

Soft actuators—materials that change shape in response to stimuli—are considered the foundation of the next generation of robots. These materials, which can bend, twist, contract, and expand, promise ...

While grippers and propulsors (actuators) have long included soft smart materials, designers haven’t had as much success integrating them with optical systems, because traditional soft lenses often ...

Humanoid actuators are responsible for bringing humanoid robots to life with physical motion, allowing humanoids to walk, lift objects, handle tools, and interact with the environment. As the humanoid ...

Soft robots are prized for their agility and gentle touch, which makes them ideal for traversing delicate or enclosed spaces to perform various tasks, from cultivating baby corals in laboratories to ...

Researchers have developed a soft mechanical force sensor that enables robots to detect touch and respond immediately without relying on electronics, computers, or external power. The device, named ME ...