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Soft robotics towards sustainable development goals and climate actions
Goffredo Giordano1,2, Saravana Prashanth Murali Babu3, Barbara Mazzolai1
1Bioinspired Soft Robotics, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), Genova, Italy.
Frontiers in Robotics and AI
|April 3, 2023
Summary
Soft robotics offers sustainable solutions for environmental challenges, aligning with global climate goals. This technology enables autonomous, eco-friendly machines for applications in farming, healthcare, and energy, promoting a healthier planet.
Area of Science:
- Soft robotics
- Sustainable manufacturing
- Renewable energy integration
Background:
- Soft robotics technology supports the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement.
- Autonomous, environmentally responsible machines powered by renewable energy can mitigate climate change impacts.
- Advancements in soft robotics can drive discoveries in material science, biology, control systems, and energy efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore how soft robotics can address environmental sustainability challenges.
- To discuss urgent challenges including sustainable manufacturing, biodegradable materials, and onboard renewable energy integration.
- To present field-ready soft robots for applications supporting SDGs.
Main Methods:
- Review of soft robotics principles and applications.
- Analysis of sustainable manufacturing processes for soft robots.
- Exploration of biodegradable and bioinspired materials.
- Integration of onboard renewable energy sources for autonomy.
Main Results:
- Soft robotics can foster adaptation, restoration, and remediation efforts against climate change.
- Field-ready soft robots are presented for targeted applications in urban farming, healthcare, land and ocean preservation, disaster remediation, and clean energy.
- The technology supports economic growth, sustainable industry, environmental protection, and improved health and well-being.
Conclusions:
- Soft robotics is a viable solution for achieving environmental sustainability and global development goals.
- Further research is needed in biological principles, eco-friendly materials, and energy-saving strategies for advanced soft robots.
- Embracing soft robotics can concretely support economic growth, environmental protection, and human health.
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