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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 3, 2026

Bioinspired Soft Robot with Incorporated Microelectrodes
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Fast-moving soft electronic fish.

Tiefeng Li1,2, Guorui Li1, Yiming Liang1

  • 1Department of Engineering Mechanics, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.

Science Advances
|April 25, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Researchers developed a self-powered soft electronic fish capable of high-speed, remote-controlled swimming. This breakthrough in soft robotics offers enhanced mobility and endurance for exploration and human interaction.

Keywords:
aquatic robotdielectric elastomerhydrogelsoft robot

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Area of Science:

  • Robotics
  • Materials Science
  • Biomimetics

Background:

  • Soft robots offer advantages in adaptability and human interaction compared to rigid robots.
  • A key challenge is creating self-powered soft robots with high mobility, environmental tolerance, and endurance.
  • Stimuli-responsive materials are crucial for advancing soft robotic capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop a self-powered soft electronic fish with an integrated onboard system for power and remote control.
  • To overcome the limitations of existing soft robotic fish in terms of speed, endurance, and environmental tolerance.
  • To demonstrate a novel propulsion mechanism for soft robots using electroactive materials.

Main Methods:

  • Fabrication of a soft electronic fish using a dielectric elastomer and ionically conductive hydrogel.
  • Implementation of an onboard system for power and remote control, eliminating the need for motors.
  • Utilizing the surrounding water as an electric ground for robust operation.

Main Results:

  • The soft electronic fish achieved a swimming speed of 6.4 cm/s (0.69 body lengths per second).
  • Demonstrated consistent performance across a wide temperature range and stealth capabilities due to near transparency.
  • Operated continuously for 3 hours on a single charge, showcasing high endurance and robustness.

Conclusions:

  • The developed soft electronic fish represents a significant advancement in self-powered soft robotics.
  • The design principle offers potential for broader applications in flexible devices and other soft robots.
  • This work addresses the grand challenge of creating highly mobile, environmentally tolerant, and long-endurance soft robots.