Exploring Embodied Intelligence in Soft Robotics: A Review

Soft robotics is closely related to embodied intelligence in the joint exploration of the means to achieve more natural and effective robotic behaviors via physical forms and intelligent interactions. Embodied intelligence emphasizes that intelligence is affected by the synergy of the brain, body, and environment, focusing on the interaction between agents and the environment. Under this framework, the design and control strategies of soft robotics depend on their physical forms and material properties, as well as algorithms and data processing, which enable them to interact with the environment in a natural and adaptable manner. At present, embodied intelligence has comprehensively integrated related research results on the evolution, learning, perception, decision making in the field of intelligent algorithms, as well as on the behaviors and controls in the field of robotics. From this perspective, the relevant branches of the embodied intelligence in the context of soft robotics were studied, covering the computation of embodied morphology; the evolution of embodied AI; and the perception, control, and decision making of soft robotics. Moreover, on this basis, important research progress was summarized, and related scientific problems were discussed. This study can provide a reference for the research of embodied intelligence in the context of soft robotics.