A Shift from Efficiency to Adaptability: Recent Progress in Biomimetic Interactive Soft Robotics in Wet Environments

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Materials Science
• Biomimetics

Background:

• Soft robotics is a rapidly growing field with applications in human interaction, wearables, and adaptable robots for unpredictable environments.
• Wet environments like the sea and in vivo offer unique challenges and opportunities for advanced soft robotic systems.
• Recent advancements in hybridized soft robotics demonstrate potential for diverse underwater interactive applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the development of soft robots specifically designed for wet environments.
• To consolidate current knowledge on biomimetic inspirations, materials, fabrication, integration, and functions of underwater soft robots.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of recent progress in soft robotics for wet environments.
• Recapitulation of biomimetic principles and soft matter material advancements.
• Analysis of fabrication techniques, system integration, and functional applications.

Main Results:

• Soft hybridized robotics show promise for underwater tasks.
• A comprehensive overview of materials, fabrication, and system integration for underwater soft robots is presented.
• Exemplary functions of current underwater soft robots are highlighted.

Conclusions:

• The field of soft robotics in wet environments is rapidly evolving, driven by biomimetic inspirations and material science.
• Key challenges remain in engineering materials, software, and hardware for highly intelligent and adaptable underwater soft robots.
• Further research is needed to overcome engineering hurdles and realize the full potential of intelligent soft robots in real-world wet applications.