Soft Robotics: A Systematic Review and Bibliometric Analysis

Area of Science:

• Soft robotics
• Robotics engineering
• Biomedical engineering

Background:

• Soft robotics has seen significant growth since 2018, marked by increased research and publication quantity/quality.
• The field attracts substantial attention from both researchers and the public.
• A comprehensive understanding of soft robotics requires both quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a quantitative and qualitative overview of the soft robotics field.
• To analyze trends in soft robotics research from 2008-2022.
• To examine key aspects of soft robotics, including design, control, and applications.

Main Methods:

• Bibliometric analysis of publications using the term "Soft Robotics" (2008-2022).
• Data sourced from multidisciplinary databases and a specialized journal.
• Rigorous selection and detailed analysis of 111 selected bibliographic references.

Main Results:

• Identified a significant increase in soft robotics research output and quality post-2018.
• Analyzed 111 papers across three perspectives: biologically inspired design, control systems (closed/open-loop), and biomedical applications.
• Highlighted key trends and advancements in the field.

Conclusions:

• Soft robotics is a rapidly evolving and increasingly important research area.
• Biologically inspired design, advanced control strategies, and diverse biomedical applications are central to current soft robotics research.
• This review offers a structured overview for researchers and stakeholders in the field.