Soft Robotics: Inspired by Nature
- Sylvia Rose
- 13 hours ago
- 3 min read
Soft robotics is the design of robots made from flexible materials. Unlike rigid robots, soft robots change their shapes and movements. Inspired by nature, they work in disciplines like healthcare, agriculture and exploration.
In soft robotics robots are made from gels, fluids and elastomers, materials similar to organic human tissue. Textiles, silicone and even bio-ingredients like proteins are also used.
Their deformable nature lets them absorb shocks and conform to their surroundings. Softbots can navigate cluttered spaces, squeeze through narrow openings and gently grasp delicate objects.
Soft robotics robot arms use silicone and soft actuators. These can bend and stretch like human limbs, safer for direct interaction. Magnetic fields and segmented bodies may be used to improve movement, for instance gliding over rough terrain.
Softbots tend to use less energy for operation. Components for soft robots can also be produced using inexpensive materials and manufacturing methods, like 3D printing.
Softbot designers take inspiration from nature. Earthworms, jellyfish and octopuses are models for soft robots able to wiggle and flow through confined spaces and interact with objects and organisms.
Plants use soft materials to grasp, sense and move, mimicked in soft robots. Plant cells naturally generate hydrostatic pressure because of a solute concentration gradient between the cytoplasm and the external environment.
This concentration is modified by movement of ions across the cell membrane, which alters the plant's shape and volume in response to the change in hydrostatic pressure. This principle is used in soft robotics to develop pressure-adaptive materials, using fluid flow.
Additive manufacturing techniques like 3D printing are used to produce silicone inks. Methods include direct ink writing (DIW, also known as Robocasting).
This enables the creation of fluidic elastomer actuators with precisely defined mechanical properties. It also facilitates digital fabrication of pneumatic silicone actuators with bioinspired designs and features.
A diverse array of fully functional soft robots is printed using this method, able to bend, twist, grab and contract. It avoids problems of traditional manufacturing such as delamination between glued components.
Healthcare
In healthcare, soft robots can perform minimally invasive surgical procedures, revolutionize prosthetics and support rehabilitation.
Soft surgical robots increase precision for complex procedures. The reduced risk of damaged tissues promotes quick recovery times for patients.
Soft robot prosthetics emulate the natural movements of human limbs. In rehabilitation, soft robotic devices help patients regain mobility by adjusting to their movements.
Manufacturing
Soft robots have benefits in manufacturing. Tasks needing flexibility and a gentle touch include assembly, inspection and material handling. Softbots conform to irregular shapes, reach confined spaces and apply controlled force, often exceeding the abilities of rigid robots.
Exploration
Soft robots are designed to explore harsh and inaccessible environments, such as the deep sea, disaster zones and other planets. Exploration, both underwater and in space, benefits from soft robotics due to their flexibility.
Underwater, softbots can explore sensitive marine habitats without harming them. A soft robot designed to mimic movement of fish can collect data on coral reef health without disrupting the environment.
In space, soft robotics facilitates landing on diverse planetary surfaces. Soft robots adapt their structure to changing terrain conditions and can do demanding tasks like sample collection in environments hostile to humans.
Agriculture
Soft robots can help harvest delicate crops, weed fields and monitor plant health, reducing reliance on manual labor and rigid robots.
Soft robotic grippers can pick strawberries with accuracy, harvesting only ripe fruit while leaving the unripe intact. They're also equipped with sensors to continuously monitor soil health.
Search & Rescue
In disaster scenarios, soft robots can navigate rubble, locate survivors, and deliver essential supplies where needed.
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