Multimodal Locomotion of Amphibious Soft Microrobots for Multi-Environment Exploration

Area of Science:

• Robotics
• Materials Science
• Biomimetics

Background:

• Rigid structures in amphibious robots limit adaptability and can cause ecological harm.
• Soft robotics offers potential for enhanced adaptability and reduced environmental impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel amphibious soft microrobot capable of seamless transition between land and water locomotion.
• To create a robot with adaptable locomotion for complex environmental exploration.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of amphibious actuators using 4D-printed liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) and flexible heating circuits.
• Integration of a fish-inspired buoyancy-regulating module with flexible heating circuits for dynamic buoyancy control.
• Systematic characterization of amphibious and multidirectional locomotion capabilities.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated seamless transition between crawling and swimming locomotion.
• Achieved stable underwater hovering at various depths and multidirectional swimming.
• Showcased ability to navigate obstacles and confined spaces.

Conclusions:

• The developed soft microrobot offers a simple, highly deformable structure for versatile amphibious locomotion.
• The design enables advanced applications in environmental monitoring and exploration.
• This work paves the way for next-generation soft robotic systems in challenging environments.