Recent advances in biomimetic soft robotics: fabrication approaches, driven strategies and applications.

Journal: Soft matter
Published Date: Oct 19, 2022

Abstract

Compared to traditional rigid-bodied robots, soft robots are constructed using physically flexible/elastic bodies and electronics to mimic nature and enable novel applications in industry, healthcare, aviation, military, Recently, the fabrication of robots on soft matter with great flexibility and compliance has enabled smooth and sophisticated 'multi-degree-of-freedom' 3D actuation to seamlessly interact with humans, other organisms and non-idealized environments in a highly complex and controllable manner. Herein, we summarize the fabrication approaches, driving strategies, novel applications, and future trends of soft robots. Firstly, we introduce the different fabrication approaches to prepare soft robots and compare and systematically discuss their advantages and disadvantages. Then, we present the actuator-based and material-based driving strategies of soft robotics and their characteristics. The representative applications of soft robotics in artificial intelligence, medicine, sensors, and engineering are summarized. Also, some remaining challenges and future perspectives in soft robotics are provided. This work highlights the recent advances of soft robotics in terms of functional material selection, structure design, control strategies and biomimicry, providing useful insights into the development of next-generation functional soft robotics.

Authors

  • Xiaoxiao Dong
    College of Mechanical Transportation Engineering, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China.
  • Xiaohang Luo
    State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, China University of Petroleum (Beijing), Beijing 102249, China.
  • Hong Zhao
    Key Laboratory of Medical Image Computing of Ministry of Education, Northeastern University, Shenyang, China.
  • Chenyu Qiao
    Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 1H9, Canada. yanglikmust@163.com.
  • Jiapeng Li
    Department of Pharmacy, Peking University People's Hospital, 11 Xizhimen South Street, Xicheng District, Beijing 100044, China; Department of Pharmacy Administration and Clinical Pharmacy, School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Peking University, 38 Xueyuan Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100191, China.
  • Jianhong Yi
    Faculty of Metallurgical and Energy Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650093, China. yanglikmust@163.com.
  • Li Yang
    Department of Pharmacy, Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China.
  • Francisco J Oropeza
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Los Angeles, California 90032, USA.
  • Travis Shihao Hu
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, California State University, Los Angeles, California 90032, United States.
  • Quan Xu
    State Key Laboratory of Stress Cell Biology, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, Fujian 361102, P.R. China.
  • Hongbo Zeng
    Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton T6G 1H9, Canada. yanglikmust@163.com.

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