Where we are

Soft robots are being designed in the forms of agile marine creatures. Tissue-based stingray bots, octopus and fish capable of imitating animal biomechanics have been developed in various university research laboratories.

Where we’re going

Supple robots have the potential for great medical advancements such as delivering medication to targeted locations inside the body or clearing blocked arteries. They may also allow us to explore previously unreachable liquified environments, be it the rushing blood streams inside our bodies or the deep sea.

How to think about it

Play God. Play with scale, shape, and other physical properties. Imagine an incredibly intelligent, miniature, flexible or flying robotic creature capable of entering unknown domains or carrying out non-human feats. Or imagine what happens once these robots become platforms, and play parasite by building software.

Signals

Foldable Metallic Material Could Revolutionize Soft Robotics

This Supple, Squishy Robo-jellyfish Can Explore Ocean Reefs

Mit Researchers Develop A Much Better Way To Optimize The Control Of Soft Robots